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In this episode, we go into scouting and recruiting practices in American soccer, offering tips and insights from our 20 years of experience. We start by addressing the recent news about USL’s ambitions for Division 1 status and the potential implementation of promotion and relegation. We emphasize the significance of understanding these developments at the […] The post Ep 362: Insights into Youth Scouting and Recruiting, Plus is USL Doing Pro/Rel? appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode we discuss the intricacies of establishing a strong team culture in American youth soccer, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, accountability, and commitment from both coaches and players. The episode covers practical ways to handle star players and toxic parents, stressing the role of parents in supporting team dynamics. We again mention […] The post Ep 361: Crafting Team Culture – The Role of Coaches and Monkey Wrenches appeared first on 3four3.

Balancing Playing Time and Sideline Conduct in Youth Soccer In this episode, we dive into the contentious topic of equal playing time in youth soccer. We explore when playing time should be evenly distributed and under what conditions it should be earned, stressing the importance of a player’s age and competitive level. We also get […] The post Ep 360: Balancing the Bench – Equal Playing Time vs. Competitive Reality in Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode we go into the unspoken realities of the ‘pay to play’ system in American soccer. We explore its consequences at the youth and professional levels, while also debunking the common perception that it is the root problem in American soccer. The discussion also extends to the pressures faced by coaches, both from […] The post Ep 359: Unpacking Pay-to-Play And Playing Time – Myths, Realities You Are Not Told, and More appeared first on 3four3.

The Golden Rule of Soccer Development: Do Less, Not More In this episode, the focus revolves around the principle of ‘doing less, not more’ in soccer coaching. We emphasize that unlike common beliefs, effective team and player development doesn’t require an extensive range of activities but rather a focused and consistent approach. We discuss technical […] The post Ep 358: The Golden Rule to Player, Team, and Coach Development appeared first on 3four3.

Today, we are recapping the origin story of 3four3 itself. Usually, I avoid discussing our accomplishments, but after receiving an email from a coach on January 7th, suggesting that we share our history and the brainchild behind our pioneering training methodology, I decided to oblige. This episode explores the beginnings of 3four3, our reluctance to […] The post Ep 357: The Story of 3four3 – Challenging the Norms of American Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

From the unrealistic expectations placed on coaches, to the impact parents play in a child’s development, and the lack of promotion and relegation in American youth, the conversation covers a wide array of topics. The discussion further emphasizes the importance of setting actionable goals, the necessity of good coaching, and the cultural differences in soccer […] The post Ep 356: The Ultimate Guide for Parents – Navigating Youth Soccer Development appeared first on 3four3.

In the 3four3 podcast’s eighth masterclass lesson, the focus is on the importance of repetition in soccer development. Coaches, players, and parents are encouraged to understand that repetition involves not just continual practice, but the right kind of practice. Host Gary highlights that incorrect repetition can lead to bad habits, while proper repetition is key […] The post Ep 355: Repetition, The Unsung Hero of Soccer Excellence – Masterclass Lesson 8 appeared first on 3four3.

In this unique episode of the 3four3 podcast, we dive into a listener-focused Q&A session, addressing various comments and questions from our YouTube channel. We discuss differences between MLS, USL, and Liga MX products, the impact of playing up in age groups, the importance of structured and unstructured play, mentorship, and the realities of coaching […] The post Ep 354: Q&A Special – Answering Your Posts from The Youtube Channel appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode hosts Gary and Benny discuss the critical role of pickup soccer in player development, and the notable absence of this culture in suburban American soccer. They highlight the benefits of unstructured play, such as mixed-age interactions and increased touch frequency, and examine how its deficiency might contribute to the US’s struggles on […] The post Ep 353: A Huge Deficiency in the Suburban American Soccer Player - Masterclass Lesson 7 appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode the hosts discuss the concept of Soccer IQ, exploring what it truly means and its various layers. They discuss the importance of decision-making on the field, the balance between letting young players experiment and teaching them good habits, and the role of coaches in developing Soccer IQ. The conversation also touches on […] The post Ep 352: Soccer IQ and the Dark Arts – Masterclass Lesson 6 appeared first on 3four3.

In this fifth masterclass session, the hosts delve into the overuse and misunderstanding of the term ‘elite’ in the context of American soccer. With Benny joining as co-host, they discuss what truly constitutes an elite soccer player by global standards, tackling the misuse of the term at both youth and professional levels. Highlighting issues from […] The post Ep 351: What’s an Elite Player? Masterclass Lesson 5 appeared first on 3four3.

Today centers on Masterclass lesson number four, where we focus on “the ball and the wall.” As I've always said, the wall is the best teacher. Don't just take my word for it -- listen to the countless historical and current professional soccer players who swear by it. If you take the time to work […] The post Ep 350: Masterclass Lesson 4 - Using the Wall to Develop Technique appeared first on 3four3.

This episode features a discussion about why possession soccer is what should be getting taught in youth team training. It is prompted by a lesson taught in the 343masterclass program. 00:00 Intro 04:44 Historical Context of Possession Soccer in the U.S. 07:39 Brian’s Influence and Success 11:27 Defining Success in Possession Soccer 15:39 Developing Individual […] The post Ep 349: Masterclass Lesson 3 – Possession Soccer is the Way appeared first on 3four3.

Unpacking the Mental Side of Soccer: Insights from the 3four3 Podcast In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, the focus is on the mental and psychological aspects of soccer, highlighted by their growing importance at higher levels of play. Real-life examples, including anecdotes about Efrain Alvarez and Lionel Messi, to illustrate how mental toughness, discipline, […] The post Ep 348: Mentality – The Most Important Player Attribute Gets The Least Attention appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, the discussion centers around the importance of promotion and relegation in the American soccer ecosystem. Terry Ransberry, an entrepreneur and father of a young soccer player, shares his personal experiences as his son navigates the soccer world in Europe. The conversation highlights the differences between the American closed system and the open […] The post Ep 347: The Impact of Promotion and Relegation in Soccer – A Father’s Perspective appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode of the podcast, Gary and Benny discuss the 3four3 Masterclass, a parent education program aimed at equipping parents on how to better guide their kid’s soccer development. They explore how the program evolved from personal training to a comprehensive tool for parents, highlighting the critical role parents play in their kid’s soccer […] The post Ep 346: Inside the 3four3 Masterclass – Elevating Soccer Education for Parents appeared first on 3four3.

This episode dives into the balance between winning and youth soccer development, addressing challenges faced by parents, coaches, and clubs. The discussion covers the impact of media narratives and the structural shortcomings of American soccer, such as the lack of promotion and relegation. It explores how losing can be a learning tool and the need […] The post Ep 345: Balancing Winning and Development in Youth Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

Navigating the Complex World of Youth Soccer Coaching with Rory O’Neill In this episode Gary and guest Rory O’Neil drop unique gold nuggets. Quite a bit of Argentina talk, and how it’s different from the US. Rory shares his journey as a coach and a parent, his experiences with his YouTube channel, and his professional […] The post Ep 344: Rory O’Neill – Argentina, Coaching, and How to Identify Well-Coached Teams appeared first on 3four3.

Unlocking the 3four3 Soccer Coaching Methodology The episode delves into various aspects of coaching philosophy such as the importance of structured training, balancing the pressure to win versus player development, setting clear expectations, and building trust with players and parents. Real-world insights are shared into adapting these methods at different levels of play, managing parent […] The post Ep 343: Get Your New Coaching Season Started on the Right Foot appeared first on 3four3.