One of the coolest aspects of the USSF National Youth License course is that it goes into a lot of detail about how kids learn, how their bodies develop, how they interpret and understand things, and thus what their practice sessions should be like. Their age will dictate what they can realistically understand and process.

A while back my daughter had a coach that flat out forbade them from bringing Gatorade to practice. Water was the only thing allowed. Her belief was that it hydrated them better. This didn't make the parents all that happy, especially when US Youth Soccer was advocating sports drinks simply because kids were more likely to drink them.

Earlier this year, the US Youth Soccer Association published their Vision for Youth Soccer in America. It generated a smattering of debate, but not much. It certainly should, because this vision sums up much of what the USYSA is thinking and advocating for youth soccer in America:

Too often in America a professional sport model is used in measuring youth sports success.

There are a lot of people writing about youth soccer on blogs these days which is a great thing. It wasn't long ago that OTP was pretty unique in the 'soccersphere' concentrating on youth soccer. Most youth soccer blogs are written about how to be a better coach, though often that means a better coach just like the blog's author.

Part of the reason I've been MIA these past few months is I returned to an active role in our league's administration after taking a year off AND was coaching 4 teams, most without any of my children on them. I really should learn to say no. When a U12 coach had to step aside right as the season got underway, we couldn't find anyone to step in for him.

I read Anson Dorrance's book "The Vision of a Champion" a while back, his 2nd book where he talks about the competitive cauldron system they use for UNC Women's Soccer. He talked about a coach who had adapted it for youth teams, but the links provided don't work anymore and Google failed me, so I'm working on my own adaption.

• Soccer season just flew by. Can't believe the season will be over next weekend! Bring on the holidays. #

• I'm so not ready for winter! Summer just flew by. And being NC we had like one week of fall. #

Along with a number of other teams, I currently coach my youngest son's U5 Rec team. Sponsored by Sheetz, their name is the Lil' Sheetz you gotta love it. Anyway we're playing a match that is pretty even this past weekend and both teams are scoring plenty of goals and having fun. I think I had three kids total (it was a cold morning and I had a few sick).

• Trying to figure out why league admin this year seemed so much harder than usual. We grew 10%. Bout normal. But we barely kept up #
• Plan to enjoy a rare night @ home since it's cold and raining. Have had very few practices canceled this season. #

• What a gorgeous day for some soccer! Perfect weather. #
• Good stuff. I love my kids but am happy NOT to coach them beyond age 8 RT @trelawrence: Letting go... http://bit.ly/3XTVN8 #
• So ready for a sunny weekend of soccer! Temps in the mid 70's all weekend with no rain. Take it!

• No doubt! RT @BrianBaute: I hate being in a group and thinking, "man, these people are old" then realizing they're my age. #
• Back from our team's 'beach trip' 2 play 2 coastal teams. Had fun everywhere BUT the field. Team suffering from extreme lack of confidence. #

Raise your hand if you've worried about how much your kids do in a given year and if you are ruining their lives. Come on you over there. As soccer season kicks off and schedules get busier, it's a common concern. Joel Maners passed on a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that debunks the common belief that our kids are over scheduled:

we have some data about how kids spend their hours.

Pretty scary how fast the summer can fly by! The fall season is already underway for our Rec teams and most of our travel teams have been in pre-season tournaments before the start of their season after Labor Day. I've missed writing, but certainly haven't been sitting idly by in Margaritaville. Besides opening a new business here in town (that finally is close to being 'ready' took much longer than I expected), I'm president of our local league again and am coaching a number of Rec teams in addition to my 96 Girls travel team, the Lunachicks.

• I worried that back to back practices (Tue/Wed) might be too much for the girls. I should have worried about my fat old self instead! Pain! #
• Been so long I almost forgot my PW! New biz is open, Fall soccer is just about 2 start, & I might actually have time 2 tweet & blog again! #