S Why American Soccer Isn‘t There Yet h a analyzes the methods of Brazil, Spain, n e Holland – where the author has lived S t a and played – and other similar nations, y establishing a ground for a new vision in the approach to American soccer. The purpose is to establish a new insight into contemporary American soccer and restore faith in ground level observation w h of what works in a competitive team y sport. The majority of American soccer a m players have athletic talent, the raw physical ability, and often the e r technical ability, however they have been fed the wrong mental information i c from their elders, including parents, extended family, and coaches. In turn, a n the coaches have been fed the wrong information from their respective s elders. This book lays out what the core problem is, how to break it down, o c and fix it for the future of American soccer, which has the potential to c e become a prominent world power. r i s n Shane Stay is a former professional soccer player, writer, ‘ t comedian, producer, and founder of Leaf Dressing. In t h 2008, Stay bottled Leaf Dressing, co-authored a print e r book, published a magazine story, worked clubs as a e comedian, played restaurateur, received a Master of y e Arts, and played professional soccer. Stay has a Bachelor of Arts from t Sonoma State University and a Master of Arts $ 14.95 from Southern Illinois University. He resides in ISBN 978-1-78255-028-0 Chicago, Illinois, and San Francisco, California. www.m-m-sports.com ar_Umschlag_why_american_soccer_250314.indd 1 28.03.14 14:59 Why American Soccer Isn‘t There Yet ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 1 16.05.14 09:47 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 2 16.05.14 09:47 why aMeRICan SOCCeR isn’t there yet by shane stay Meyer & Meyer Sport ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 3 16.05.14 09:47 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Why American Soccer Isn‘t There Yet Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2014 ISBN: 978-1-78255-028-0 All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means now known or here- after invented without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form, binding or cover other than that which is published, without the prior written consent of the publisher. © 2014 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd. Auckland, Beirut, Budapest, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Hägendorf, Indianapolis, Maidenhead, Singapore, Sydney, Tehran, Wien Member of the World Sport Publishers‘ Association (WSPA) Printed by: Versa Press ISBN: 978-1-78255-028-0 E-Mail: [email protected] www.m-m-sports.com ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 4 16.05.14 09:47 Contents Contents PrefaCe ..................................................................... 8 IntroduCtIon ............................................................11 thIs Book ..................................................................15 My BaCkground .........................................................29 BunCh uP! Please BunCh uP! .......................................37 never Pass BaCk to the Person Who Just Passed to you! ...........................................41 touCh PassIng ...........................................................51 PassIng the Ball to a guarded Player Is okay .............55 outsIde defenders, Play lIke forWards! ......................59 CrossIng, try soMethIng else! ...................................67 the Players ..............................................................71 shootIng ..................................................................77 5 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 5 16.05.14 09:47 why aMeRICan SOCCeR isn‘t there yet skIlls.......................................................................85 less CrossIng, More layIng off the Ball at the toP of the Box ...........91 CheMIstry aMong Players ..........................................95 the MIndset that BrazIl, argentIna, or gerMany are suPerIor ........................101 What to BlaMe? CoaChIng ........................................109 nBa vs. BrazIl .........................................................117 douBle teaMIng on defense ......................................123 Corners—a Waste of tIMe .......................................127 drIBBlIng: start WIth the young Players ..................131 enthusIasM for the gaMe.........................................135 unIforM Change ......................................................141 don’t Pass to the MIddle! ........................................147 PraCtICe .................................................................151 2010 World CuP hysterIa ........................................157 ConClusIon .............................................................161 6 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 6 16.05.14 09:47 Contents sourCes ..................................................................166 CredIts ...................................................................167 7 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 7 16.05.14 09:47 why aMeRICan SOCCeR isn‘t there yet PrefaCe I was recently coaching at an American youth soccer camp. The kids were six to eight years old. Before everything got started and the kids were running around, I instructed a six-year-old shooting on goal. He had a friend playing goalie, who was also six. I was showing the shooter side volleys, and he was slowly getting the hang of it. However, each time the goalie would throw the ball back to me, he would gun it like a baseball, forcing me to catch it in self- defense. I told him, “Next time, throw it harder.” And the next time he threw the ball harder. Again, I told him, “Hey, next time, throw it harder.” And he did. Then it hit me: This kid has no idea what sarcasm is yet. He took my instruction literally, and he threw the ball harder each time. It reminds me that kids are like little computer chips, waiting for information to be stored. So exactly what information we give them is very important. At younger ages, children will learn a second language with more ease than learning a second language as an adult. Their young minds are growing. They are impressionable, and what you say will sink in. In terms of soccer, it is very important we give them the correct information. Later that day in camp, an instructor was telling the kids to dribble around and try to kick other players’ balls away from them. So they all gathered in a general space and had fun trying. At this point, the instructor stopped them and asked, “Why are you all bunched up?” He pointed out there was a lot of open space “over here” and “over there.” One thought hit me: If they all run away to open space, how are they to knock each other’s ball away? 8 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 8 16.05.14 09:47 PrefaCe Later, in another activity, the instructor told the players to treat the ball like a hot potato—get rid of it! He told the players they were all bunched up. He told them not to pass into congested areas. Calling the ball a “hot potato” is the wrong message. We do not want the players to treat the ball like a time bomb. We want them to be comfortable with it. Telling the players they are bunched up and not to pass into congested areas is wrong. As older players, the defense makes all areas on the field congested. The game of soccer is playing skillfully and confidently in congested areas and then finding an open area. Once you find that open area, then the defense will collapse, and you will have to play skillfully and confidently in congested areas again. Goals will come either from skillful play in congested areas or from finding a player in an open area. To put this wrong information in the brain’s of children is a big problem with American soccer. They keep this engrained in their psyches—their souls, if you will—for the rest of their lives. As do their parents, the coaches, and other observers. At a young age, we need to stress to American soccer players the importance of dribbling, controlling the ball, juggling, passing, technique, and playing confidently in congested areas, while enjoying the game. *** 9 ar_why_american_soccer_200314.indd 9 16.05.14 09:47