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 player development, technical and tactical capabilities, to the intricacies of soccer in the U.S. versus Europe, the episode provides a guide for parents, coaches, and fans.

Additionally, the hosts touch upon the implications of the absence of promotion and relegation in US soccer, and its impact on player development and visibility.

00:00 Intro
06:24 Technical Attributes – World Class vs Elite
07:57 Description of a Good First Touch
10:57 Passing Quality and Consistency
12:52 On Statistics in Soccer
16:00 Evaluating Finishing Techniques
18:55 Tactical Decision Making
22:02 The Importance of “the Pause”
25:41 Recognizing Player Plateau
29:05 The Impact of Starting Young
32:00 Individual Work vs. Team Environment – Plus Needing to Be Platformed
35:12 How Promotion and Relegation Matters in The Context of this Topic

Premium Education for either Coaches or Parents

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

For Coaches

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.
If you’re coaching 7v7, we’ve got you covered at 7v7coaching.com.

For Parents

You don’t have to be lost and confused.
Learn to properly guide and develop your kid through the maze and pitfalls that is American soccer (from the folks who have actually done it).
Gain access at 343masterclass.com.

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Parent Education Program