Welcome to the Frontpage

Welcome to the SkillfulCOACH online soccer coaching magazine. We are redesinging our product to better serve the needs of the soccer community. In our magazine you will find carefully crafted articles, diagrams and videos that will help you become a more knowledgeable and resourceful soccer coach. To further expand your resources, our online forum and blog will allow you to interact with coaches from the four corners of the globe. We will also offer monthly coaching seminars that will address numerous practice topics and coaching methodology, as well as the latest information about sport science.

As you may have discerned, we are going through some design problems. Hey, I am a soccer coach, not a web design expert. Due to this minor set back, we now plan to publish our first issue sometime in November. We will keep you posted. We apologize for any anxiety concerns this may cause, but please try to hang in there. It will be well worth the wait.

In the meantime, please check back periodically to see what we have added. In the near future we will add an "Internet Links" page, which will include everything soccer related. We are certain that this special feature will become your main source of connection to soccer on the web. A glossary of terms will also soon feature in our magazine. This is an ever expanding document that will eventually become the largest source of terms and definitions available to the inhabitants of the big blue soccer sphere.

By the way, if you happen to stop by to check out the site, please leave me a note at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

On Friday, October 2, 2009, the US Men’s National U-20 team lost by a 0-3 margin to South Korea in the final group match of the U-20 World Championship, which is being contested in Egypt. The US team now rests in third place and awaits the results of three other group matches. Finishing as one of the best third place teams will ensure the US advance to the second round of play. If not, they’ll have a long return flight to the United States and plenty of time to reflect upon their dismal performance in Egypt.

In watching the three matches played by the United States, it became increasingly evident that the team lacked organization, composure and on the field leadership. Overall, their play was extremely naive, uncreative and purposeless. This was most noticeable when linking short and medium length passes through midfield and especially apparent against the Germans and South Koreans. Against Germany for instance, the inexperienced Americans were totally outclassed by their more professionally seasoned opponent. The high-pressure defense and intense speed of play left the US team totally unsettled throughout the match.

On Friday against South Korea, the result was even more embarrassing. Down 0-2 at halftime, head coach Thomas Rongen chose to make a single substitution. The team resumed play in the second half, as they had concluded the first: without conviction, determination or purpose. With numerous inaccurate long balls played to the opposing defenders and short passes to midfield teammates who were swimming in a veritable sea of red jerseys, possession was freely given away.

Seldom was there ever a change in the point of attack or in the rhythm of play, for that matter. Instead, we witnessed a boring, lifeless example of how to play the game poorly and without invention. Not exactly inspiring a great deal of confidence in the future of the US men’s national team program.

The first article in our upcoming magazine will deal with mobility in attack. In this informative piece, we will explore how to improve player movement with and without the ball. We will also examine a variety of ways to make these movements more efficient and successful.

SkillfulCOACH will soon introduce an Internet Links page that will become your door to all things soccer on the world wide web.