Title: Mental Functions of Youth Soccer Players
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Dec. 28th, 2020
Soccer is a game requiring various skills. Physical skills of dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting along with mental skills like attitude, self analysis, and managing stress and anxiety. The following article presents research comparing the mental functions of elite youth soccer players and sub-elite youth soccer players.
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Title: Goalkeepers and Penalty Saves - What Does the Research Say?
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Sept. 29th, 2020
Goalkeepers are a unique group of soccer players. They are the only position on the field allowed to use their hands, which requires a different set of skills from their field playing counterparts. The following article looks at the research being done on goalkeepers abilities to save penalty kicks. New research, affordance based control theory, has been presented in helping explain how a goalkeeper saves a penalty kick. The research article provides information on previous studies, the affordance based control theory, and the challenge of assessing penalty kick saves.
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Title: Creative Soccer Skills Increase with Game Intelligence
Author: Matt Couch
Published: July 15th, 2020
Soccer moves and tricks are always entertaining to watch, but even more so when they are performed in a game against an opponent. Coaches encourage players to be creative, especially in 1 v 1 situations. But, how are we able to increase player creativity? Increasing game intelligence may be the key.
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Title: US Soccer Terminates Developmental Academy Program
Author: Matt Couch
Published: June 11th, 2020
The US Soccer Developmental Academy (DA) was formed in 2007. I completed my college career in 2006, so I never participate in the US Soccer DA Program. As a personal soccer trainer and coach I have heard many things about the US Soccer DA program, both good and bad. The idea of the program seemed to be a logical step forward in developing US youth soccer to compete at the international level. More practice, more competitive games, more commitment. All these concepts seemed sensible to me when trying to move the sport of soccer in a positive direction. However, it was with disappointment that US Soccer announced last month that the DS program would be terminated. This leads to several questions surrounding the structure of youth soccer in the US. This article will present an overview of the DA Program, it’s pros and cons, and the official press release by US Soccer.
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Title: Female D1 Soccer Players Position Specific Abilites
Author: Matt Couch
Published: May 11th, 2020
The physical and mental demands of soccer are unlike any other sport. Unlike FIFA, D1 collegiate soccer allows a player to be substituted multiple times, which can affect the players physical and mental performance. Although soccer is a highly popular sport among females, most studies have focused on male performance on and off the field. Studies have been done on the position specific performance metrics to understand the training needs for certain positions. This article reviews a study focusing on D1 female athletes and their physical and athletic abilities by position. Previous studies have drawn conclusions that midfielders have the highest work rate and high aerobic capacity, followed by defenders, forwards and goalkeepers. The study in review evaluates a 1 team of female collegiate soccer players, using different performance metrics to understand the training needs of each position.
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Title: Soccer Nutrition and Supplementation
Author: Matt Couch
Published: April 15th, 2020
As the sport of soccer evolves we see a shift to specialization in key areas of performance. Strength and conditioning, video analysis, and now nutrition. Soccer is a highly demanding sport on the body. To ensure longevity and health in soccer nutrition has been identified as a key component. The following journal review highlights the latest nutritional recommendations for soccer players. Although the study focuses primarily on males, females and youth can benefit from this review and begin looking at their own nutritional decisions for optimal performance.
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Title: Maturation Status on Soccer Performance Tests
Author: Matt Couch
Published: March 15th, 2020
The physical demands of soccer continue to increase for young players, especially those who participate in an elite soccer program. Clubs and coaches have started to implement sports performance testing to evaluate the ability of prospective players. Although there are several factors in identifying a player's ability, this article will focus on speed and power, and the effect of maturation status on those elements of physical performance.
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Title: Opportunity Gap, Offseason Training
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Feb 15th, 2020
After the soccer season concludes, many parents and players look forward to time off and the holiday’s. However, the off season is the best time to improve your game. Whether it is skills training, or athleticism training for speed, quickness or strength, players should look forward to working on specific weaknesses and maintaining strengths, so that they are ready for the next season.
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Title: Heading Frequency - Direct Observation vs Player Recall
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Jan 15th, 2020
Head injuries are continuing to affect how we coach, and how players play. Moreover, studies have started to shed light on the adverse effects it has on a soccer player's brain. Most of these studies have used either player self recorded data or professional in person recorded data.
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Title: The Importance of Eccentric Leg Strength for Female Soccer Players
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Oct 8th, 2019
Unfortunately, females suffer more ACL injuries than males. A variety of studies have been done on the physiological makeup of females versus males causing females to suffer from ACL injuries, most notable the Q angle of the hips and knees. But, in this post we are going to look at a recent study that found eccentric strength to be an important aspect for detering female ACL injuries.
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Title: Youth Soccer Talent Identification and Recruitment
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Sept 16, 2019
With stories of players like Messi being recruited at the age of 7 and becoming a huge soccer star or even Christian Pulisic going to Germany at a young age to play in Borussia Dortmund youth academy and rising though the ranks to play on the first team. Parents are starting to seek out and take advantage of talent identification camps in the hopes their son or daughter will be the next US soccer star.
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Title: Groin Injuries in Soccer
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Sept 3, 2019
3rd degree sprains in both ankles, 2 torn quads, elbow dislocation and shoulder subluxing. These are the major injuries I experienced during my time playing as a youth and young adult. It wasn't until I was an adult playing professional indoor soccer with the San Diego Sockers that I experienced a groin injury. While playing I over extended laterally to receive a pass, causing me to strain my inner thigh and part of my groin.
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Title: Improve Speed with Very Heavy Sled Training
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Aug 26, 2019
No we are not talking about Santa's sled, the sled we are talking about is a resistance sled were you can add weight in order to help increase pulling and pushing ability in the upper and lower body. Sleds come in all shapes and sizes and are primarily used to help increase speed. A recent study done in 2017 by Morin and Associates "hypothesised that very-heavy loaded sled sprint training would induce an improvement in horizontal force production,"
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Title: Mindfulness for Soccer Injury Prevention
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Aug 12, 2019
I first started implementing mindfulness in my private training to help improve player technique. I would have the player close thier eyes and in a stationary position have them swing thier leg as if they were shooting or passing a ball. At first the player would just swing and swing and swing their leg with no real thought of why they were doing what I was asking.
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Title: Limit Hamstring Injuries with Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Author: Matt Couch
Published: June 17, 2019
As a soccer player the health of our legs is important for us to participate and perform. Soccer players suffer from a variety of muscle or joint injuries related to the legs every year. A 2015 study showed the importance of hamstring exercises to reduce hamstring injuries.
Title: Headers are NOT the Culprit of Soccer Concussions
Author: Matt Couch
Published: June 13, 2019
To be straight up and honest, I am extermely bias toward the topic of headers causing concussions. I am quite sure I have suffered my fair share of concussions from multiple sources, but I truly believe it was not do to headers.
Title: Balance Training Before Plyometeric Training for Superior Performance Enhancements
Author: Matt Couch
Published: May 24, 2019
Like everything in life you must keep balance. Balance is important to mental and physical health. All work and no play doesn't make for a very healthy lifestyle. Balance training plays a vital role in the developmentof motor skills. being able to control your body in space is importnat to reaching athletic potential.
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Title: Soccer Player Nutrition: Pre-Game, Game Time, and Post-Game
Author: Matt Couch
Published: May 15, 2019
You are what you eat. The food you consume provides the necessary vitamins and minerals to fuel your body. Look at some of the greatest soccer players nutrition plans and you'll find they emphasis quality foods. This means no junk food or alcohol. Elite players know the importance food plays in their performance.
Title: The Necessity for Position Specific Fitness for Soccer Players
Author: Matt Couch
Published: May 7, 2019
Youth coaches have different expectations for different positions, whether that relates to technical or tactical skill. However, it seems that many youth coaches expect the same level of fitness from every position.
Title: Plantar Fasciitis and Soccer Players
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Apr. 29, 2019
Soccer players sustain all sorts of bodily injuries throughout their careers. Most injuries soccer players suffer from are related to the leg, and more specifically relating to the knee or ankle join. One of the most common injuries both youth and adult soccer players report to a personal trainer, doctor, or physical therapist is plantar fasciitis.
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Title: Catalyst Soccer Grows Coast To Coast
Author: Matt Couch
Published: Aug. 2, 2018
New Trainers have join the Catalyst Soccer Training and Education Trainer Listing. A personal soccer trainer can be found from San Diego to New York to Florida to Utah. Catalyst Soccer Training and Education is excited to offer trainings held by the following trainers.
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