In this episode, we discuss the importance of captains in soccer teams, debating whether leadership qualities are innate or can be developed.

We explore what makes a good captain, using real-life examples from both professional and youth soccer.

The conversation later transitions to the political nature of sports, emphasizing how soccer serves as a vehicle for social, political, economic, and cultural expressions globally and domestically.

We also touch on the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged fans in accessing live games. Insights from the hosts’ personal coaching experiences and testimonials from professional coaches are shared throughout the episode.

00:00 Intro
03:07 Senior Players as Partners with the Coach in the Locker Room
06:55 Who Should Be the Captain at the Youngest of Youth Levels
11:44 Is Leadership Nature or Nurture?
19:47 Subtopic: How Can the Worst Player Become a Captain?
26:40 Parent’s Role in Developing Their Kids into Leaders
34:13 Do Center Backs Make the Best Captains?
41:43 Soccer is Deeply Political
46:11 Subtopic: MLS vs anti-MLS demographics
49:52 Subtopic: The MLS Business Model
01:02:16 On Getting a Red Card as a Coach

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.

Never miss new episodes:

• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on iTunes
• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Stitcher
• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Spotify

Parent Education Program