Ep 382: Evaluating Your Kid’s Youth Soccer Club

Gary Kleiban joined the Playmaker Fútbol Academy (PFA) podcast hosted by Kirk Kinsey.to discuss key topics in American soccer development.

We highlight the importance of parent involvement in assessing and selecting clubs and coaches, and how different factors impact players. Gary shares insights on the challenges in the US soccer landscape and provides actionable advice for parents and coaches.

We also explore the significance of a strong home environment and the role of recognizing legitimate coaching expertise.

00:00 Intro
03:08 Kirk Introduces Gary Kleiban
04:50 Kirk’s Coaching Journey and Club Search
06:25 Discussion on Choosing the Right Club
07:57 Sub: Importance of Possession-Based Play
09:53 Sub: On anti-Rondo Sentiment in the US
13:24 On Assessing Big Youth Clubs
16:33 Sub: Pedigree and Credentials Will Mislead You
18:48 Sub: The Impact to Player Development
25:49 Parental Influence and Home Environment
35:10 Cultural Differences in Understanding Football
37:20 Sub: How Do Non-Soccer-First Culture(s) Improve Their Situation?
39:06 Sub: How to Identify Good Practitioners
47:20 3four3 Masterclass Overview

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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