The FeetToCompete Blog
Player development, the youth soccer pathway, and honest advice from the sideline.
How to Teach Kids to Shoot a Soccer Ball
Most young players shoot with their toe, lean back, and hope. A good shot is five simple habits repeated until they're automatic, and kids as young as six can learn them.
Read moreIn-House, Rec, Travel, Club, Super Club: Every Level Has a Purpose
A plain-English guide to the five levels of youth soccer: what each one is, what it does best, and how to know when (or whether) your child should move up.
Read moreWhy Futsal Builds Fearless 1v1 Players (and Players Who Love Tight Spaces)
Futsal is my favorite training tool. Here's how a small court, a heavy ball and five players a side teach kids to win 1v1 duels and stay calm when the space disappears.
Read moreCollege Soccer Recruiting: A Parent's Playbook
There are more college soccer roster spots than most families realize. Here's how recruiting actually works: the levels, the dates, what coaches look for, and a year-by-year plan.
Read moreFollow the Money: The Commercialization of Youth Soccer, Seen From Three Sidelines
Pay-to-play, professional coaching, the class shift in the competitive game, and international recruiting aren't separate stories. They're one story — and I'm watching it from three sidelines at once.
Read more