Hi, I'm a military member stationed overseas and I need your advice. Our team has been training since the last week of July up to today. We are preparing for a tournament later this month. Our sessions are Tues, Thursday, and Sat. We do 10 100yrd sprints on the track while jogging the curves, soon after we do 10 40 yard dash, jogging back to recover. On top of this we then do conduct normal training session for a total of 2.5 hrs of practice. And of course prior to all these we do a complete warm up and stretch. Now, on non training days, i.e. Mon, Wed, Fri the team does 5k recovery runs on their own with the exception of Wed as a 10k and Sunday being a complete rest day. Here's my question. While doing sprints do you recommend doing them early during practice like we have been doing? Or is it advisable to alternate it and moved the sprints as a last drill before practice ends? I'm concern about this team being a first half team and not having enough juice to finish the 90 min game. Please advice me with your experience. And also advice on how we can improve our sprint and conditioning tactics. Thank you and have great day!

So I want to play varsity when I a a senior so I was just wondering what I should do to start preparing myself both as a keeper and forward. So don't know what you need to know to tell me what to do so just email me and questions you have any. Thanks!

Neal, if there was one thing I would suggest to you to prepare for varsity soccer is physical/fitness work. I was never involved in High School soccer but I have had players that have played in High School and I remember them always mentioning to me "physical work". A lot of running, sprints, etc. So I would suggest a lot of fitness preparation with and without the soccer ball, for both Forward and Goalkeeper.

I have a problem with my U14's criticizing each other and blaming each other for mistakes. This includes my goalkeeper being told "You suck." by two players after he conceded a goal on a free kick bent around the wall to the far post. Most of the players don't get involved in this, but maybe 5-6 do. Also, some of the players can't tell the difference between a player giving them directions on the field, and being criticized. I've talked to them about what is useful communication and what is not, but I think I need to do something more.
Any idea on how to improve the atmosphere and attitude?

This is a tough one. This age group is one of the harder age group to control and to coach. I would be straight and forward to them. You need to sit them down have a "man-to-man" talk and explain what the rules are. I know they all want to win but if this problem is not corrected now it will hunt them for the rest of their career. Once the rules are set, you as a coach need to stick by them, this means winning or losing a game. Do not tolerate any attitudes between teammates on the field. Whatever happens off the field is happen to them but when on the field everyone needs to respect each other. If you hear any negatives amongst them you need to sit down the player on the bench for the rest of the game. This will be hard at first but eventually will correct itself. Do not forget to talk to the parents also so everyone is on the same page!! Hope this helps.

I have one player who dominates play on my U14s. He has always been one of the most skillful players and now is more physically developed than most. He is a man among boys. He has always been a good 1v1 player, so now he is a 1v2, 3, or 4 player. I don't want to stop him from playing 1v1 when it is a good idea, but he needs to get the other players involved more. Of course, his teammates are partly to blame for not demanding the ball, and they need to change too. I've switched him from a central to a wing position, which has helped, but now I have to get him to cross the ball rather than dribbling to goal every time. He works very hard in practice and in games, so I don't want to be too hard on him....

I do not think being strict as in the issue #1 will help but a "one on one" talk should help with this player. Explain the importance of team work. He needs to understand that soccer is a team sport and there is not one star player on the team. May be this will help. By reading the above I can understand why is trying to do every thing for himself. If his teammates do not ask for the ball or demand the ball he tries to go all the way. Again, try to talk to him alone and then talk also to the team as a whole about getting involved and demand the ball when open.

Dear Ask the Soccer Experts,

While my U10 team was playing a game I noticed one of my players crying.
Just before I saw my player crying I had heard one of the parent from the other side saying something to my player. As the player came off the field in tears at the end of the game he told me the reason he was crying. I approached the other coach who then spoke to the parent involved who actually denied the allegations, and said that no one on his side passed this abuse to the young child. What steps do you think I should take to prevent this from happening again?

Dear Frank:

This is one of the most difficult things for coaches to deal with.
Remember that for every comment you hear, there are an unknown, but I suspect large, number that you do not hear. Once I was coaching at a tournament and forgot to pick up my player cards after a game. As I was going to get them I had the chance to listen to the comments of the parents in the stands at a U11 game. I was shocked that they were making a lot of derisive comments about the other team's players. I mentioned this to the refs who were resting in the field marshall's tent when I got my cards. They said that it's often like that.
So, what to do? First, the refs have the authority to act, but usually do not because they are much younger than the parents. If possible, let the center ref know that there is abusive behavior taking place. The CR has the power to eject the offending parent or parents from the game. If they know they have the backing of at least one of the coaches, they are more likely to do it. Very often the refs are relieved to deal with something that doesn't concern one team trying to gain an advantage over the other, and will respond well to your concerns (make sure that you are clear that you would want them to come down on ANY parental misbehavior.)
If it isn't possible to deal with this through the refs, then the step you took, to involve the opposing coach is a good move. That way you are not confronting the parent directly. But don't be surprised if the parent denies any wrongdoing! The shame any person feels on being called on this kind of behavior will often lead them to lie. But don't feel like you've necessarily wasted your effort. The next time they are inclined to mouth off, maybe they'll remember this incident and keep their mouth shut.
One caution here: make sure you read the other coach carefully.
Some coaches are so biased that they will take offense rather than investigate the matter. In this case, I'd recommend going through the club or league president, even though it will mean the matter can't be dealt with on the field.
We can take heart from the fact that players get very good at blocking out parental comments during the games. Even when they are young they can surprise you with their ability to see through what parents say. Once I was coaching a U10 game and a parent on the opposing team yelled in frustration "JUST SCORE!" One of my players on the bench said, "Yeh, like it's that easy...."
Since you can't control the behavior of parents (all you can do is respond after the fact), talk to your players briefly about this. Tell them that some adults don't behave well at games and may make mean and insulting comments. Let your players know that if this happens, the adults are wrong, no matter what they are saying. Tell them that the best thing to do is to block the parents out during the game; the next best is to remember that if they say anything mean, they are wrong.
This gives the players two layers of defense, and a way to deal with any bad behavior that does occur--even if you don't know about it.

Hi, I am a good soccer player and when I practice I can perform well and act without any fear whatsoever. But when I play the game I get little nervous and I make mistakes... any advice?

A lot of players may have this problem. This is all about confidence, you have to know and believe what you are able to do on the field. You have to tell your self to be confident. Do not feed any negative in your mind. Talk with your teammates, warm up and sometimes listening to some music may help. There is nothing to worry about its just a game have fun.

Our club is installing a new field, close to 2 acres. Can you tell me what type of grass is the best and most commonly used? We want to get on the sod ASAP but yet we want to avoid the wear and tear on the field as much as possible. Thanks for your help!

It all depends on what part of the country you live. The growing season is different in each state and cities for that matter. I would recommend talking with an athletic turf specialist. There are different applications of sod, like "mesh" that can be laid down over the high traffic areas like the penalty area to minimize wear.

I am a first time coach for a U10 Boys team. I played soccer while I was gowning up and I love the sport! We have lost the first two games, but my question is how much coaching should I be doing from the sidelines? Should I be giving the plays to our players at the game? Should I scream at the players so they hear what I am saying? What is your take on this?

I recommend that you save your voice for practice and talk to the players then, If you want to talk to a player who is playing the game, then call him over to the sideline, make sure that his position is covered and talk to him in a calm way. Many times it is better to substitute the player and talk to him. As a first time coach, you will benefit more from watching and studying the game than you will from talking or screaming at the players.

To kick with power you must posses good technique. Establishing good technique comes with much repetition. This means many hours of training! Therefore, the rest is practice, practice and more practice!. Start out by developing and improving accuracy. Once you have the accuracy then work on improving the maximum power.

I am 15 years old and I believe it is time for me to be professional. I admire players like Kaka', Del Piero and Totti. My dream is to play like them, so what should I do? What position and what side should I play?

Chris you should know by now the position and side you would want to play. However to find out what side you prefer playing on you must try playing different positions and find out which position you are the most effective at in helping your team. Hope this helps!

The most important things you should remember is first to relax and second to be aware of how much time and space you have available. The best teacher is the "wall" so the best thing to do is find a wall and start practicing every day.