Good morning,

This week, we're sharing three simple ideas for coaches, parents, and players that can make a difference throughout the season.

I hope you find something useful, and as always, I'd love to hear your feedback.

🧠 Coach's Corner: Train the Next Decision

A good training activity doesn't always give players the same problem to solve.

In a recent FIFA Training Centre activity, players compete 3v3 on a 30x25-meter field, with a goalkeeper at one end and a target player at the other. The team in possession must first build through a high press and find the target player. Once they do, the direction immediately changes — they now attack the goal while the defending team has to recover and reorganize.

What makes the activity interesting is how many game situations it creates with so few players. Players repeatedly experience building from the back, pressing, transitioning, creating chances and defending the goal. Because it's 3v3, everyone stays heavily involved.

The coaching lesson goes beyond this specific exercise: design training where solving one problem creates the next one.

Players shouldn't just learn what to do. They need to recognize when the picture changes, adjust their position and role, and find the next solution. FIFA also recommends giving young players time to experience the problem before constantly intervening.

Parent's Corner: More Isn't Always Better

How much soccer is too much?

Between club seasons, tournaments, private training, camps, and other sports, it's easy for a young athlete's calendar to become packed — especially when it feels like everyone else is doing more.

But more training doesn't automatically mean more development.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends young athletes have 1–2 rest days each week and 2–3 months away from a particular sport during the year. Too much training without enough recovery can increase the risk of overuse injuries, physical exhaustion, and burnout.

That doesn't mean kids shouldn't train hard or play a lot. It means recovery should be treated as part of training, not time lost from it.

⚽ Player's Corner: Win the First Five Minutes

Here's your challenge this week:

For the first five minutes of your next game, focus on doing the simple things exceptionally well.

Complete your first pass. Win your first challenge. Communicate early. Sprint when you lose the ball.

Don't worry about scoring or doing something spectacular.

Get yourself involved. Get comfortable with the speed of the game. Then build from there.

Start simple. Grow into the game.

💬 One Question for Soccer Families

We're building our 2027 events right now, and we'd love your input:

What's one thing you wish more youth soccer tournaments did better?

Scheduling? Competition levels? Communication? Awards? Facilities? Something completely different?

Reply directly to this email. We're always looking for ways to make our events better for the people actually experiencing them.

⚽ Finish Your Fall With Us

Join Us in Growing the Game

Enjoying the newsletter? Help us keep growing it.

If you know someone who would enjoy it, forward them this email and invite them to join us.

Have an idea for a future edition? Reply directly to this email. I read every response.

Here's to Building American Soccer Together.

Warmly,

Colin Gorini
Founder, UnitedGoals USA
[email protected] 
unitedgoalsusa.com