Well, it is the New Year and I avoided the net for a few days to give the weary mind a rest. So, finally, I opened up my computer and plugged into the net.
There it was!
US Premier Soccer Academy offering training for:
3&4 year olds
5&6 year olds
7&8 year olds
and older for eight weeks of training and a scrimmage each week.
I can almost hear parents breathing heavily at the excitement of having their three year olds trained in soccer.
I love the title. 'US Soccer Academy' and not 'U.S. Soccer Academy'. Is that US as, "Give US the money?" Back off, just a question.
Let us review the success of these programs that have been around for a long time.
We are loaded with players who can play at the International level. Right?
We are loaded with players who are household names all over the country.
Like Beckham. Oops, he is English.
What do we have? Burn outs and drop outs. Now go figure why. Too much work too early? Do kids begin at three and four in Europe and South America? You know the answer.
Let kids have fun! Fun! Stop with the academy stuff. It has not worked; it will not work. Start the New Year with a new approach. Hands off my young kids. Go away and leave us alone. Ignore the advertising appeal.
Make US be "Leave US alone!"
Happy New Year!
Alan Maher,
Author 'Complete Soccer Handbook' and 'Attacking Soccer With Neutral Player'
Teaching Aids Committee Chairman of the (*NSCAA)
*National Soccer Coaches Association of America
Editorial Staff Member on NSCAA 'Soccer Journal' magazine.
Etc. etc. etc.
