In our February edition of the World of Soccer Newsletter we take a look at a "new" development in the game of soccer - and it involves the scoring of goals. Go to the Practice Section for this "new" development - or should I say, evolvement.

Three Quick Passes:

First we visit Marc Rizzardo, who is "locked down" in the Olympic Village in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics where the weather has been more like the Summer Olympics.

Then we link you to a topic, "Is it too Cold, Coach?" It would be nice to have that problem in Vancouver right now.

The second pass takes us to soccer in South Africa, but not this year's World Cup. It's 30 years of soccer in a prison where there were no on-the-road games. I think you will find the article by Dr Bob Barber fascinating.  Click here to read "A Strange Kind of Freedom"

The third pass comes from Hugh Swan, Director of Coaching for the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, where it may well be "Too Cold, Coach" right now. As we write today's forecast is minus 16C to minus 24C - and that is cold. Hugh questions the appropriateness of the FIFA 11+ Warm-Up and as usual, makes some very good points.  Click here to see what Hugh does for his warm-up. 

In the Boot Room, Franz Beckenbauer, Der Kaiser, tells us how much he enjoyed his 3 years with the New York Cosmos and why.  Click here to read "Mexico 86".

Hot out of England - an online course featuring Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Fabio Capello. That's not bad for starters, but there is much more to go with that illustrious threesome. It's a course no serious coach could pass on and the price is very reasonable.  Click here to check out the "Online Football(soccer) Management Course". 

This is Winter (January/February) issue of the Byte Size Coaching Newsletter. Because of the weather this is normally the quietest soccer time for most of North America, although more and more indoor soccer facilities are shooting up in the colder climes of the United States and Canada.

Next month we will look at the benefits and potential negatives of indoor soccer and what role Futsal has to play in the development of our young players.

Marc Rizzardo, who has been doing a series of articles surrounding player fitness in the World of Soccer Newsletters, sent a very appropriate article for winter called, "Is it too cold, coach?"

The article actually got lost in cyberspace and didn't make the last World of Soccer Newsletter. So we've put it in this one.

Marc, among other things, is the Chief Therapist for the Canadian Olympic Team so he is "locked down" in the Olympic Village in Vancouver right now. Nearer to the summer we'll ask Marc to answer the question, "Is it too hot, coach?"  Click here to read article.....

News just out about an online player management course from England. I've already seen some of it. It is very powerful. Extensive video of the likes of Sir Alex Fergusen, Arsene Wenger and Fabio Capello discussing coaching and player management make it a must for any serious soccer coach.  Click here to read the article............

We are in the process of developing a player and team evaluation program. The task? Incredibly difficult, but we think worth-while. My old friend and mentor, Verdi Godwin would often say, "Football (soccer) is a game of opinions." And so it is. So what are the factors that must be put on any soccer evaluation system? We've already started to work on that and will let you know next month where we are at.  Click here to read "Evaluation".

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Welcome to Edition # 43 of the World of Soccer Newsletter.

In the World of Soccer Newsletter this month, Steve Spence of the Ottawa Fury gives his insightful thoughts and recommendations on the controversy surrounding the use of technology or adding other officials.  Click here to read "Mistakes are Part of the Beautiful Game" 

In the practice section we look at how Warm-Ups have assumed much greater importance today – both for our younger players and our teenage players. In some cases it is for good reasons – avoidance of injury – but in other instances it is for negative reasons as our uncoordinated and unhealthy children need help in areas previously not required.  Click here to read "The Importance of Warm UP"

Marc Rizzardo takes a break this month while he readies himself for his important role as the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Chief Therapist for the February Vancouver Winter Olympics. “Yours Truly” jumps out of the frying pan straight into the fire by pinch hitting for Marc. And it’s darned hot in there.  Click here to read "Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire."

In the Boot Room, we look at the new and superb improvements that have been made in today’s game. But we invite you to divert awhile courtesy of a video link going back to 1970, you will see 4 pieces in a sequence of World Cup – World Class – soccer, all in less than 10 seconds, each showing magical play culminating in the “Save of the Century.” No matter how long the game is played into the future I defy you to come up with 10 seconds to better this.  Click here to read "Somethings Never Change." 

We wish you all a happy and successful 2010. This is the New Year edition of the Byte Size Coaching Newsletter.

We've waited until after the holidays to publish as many of our readers have so much going on with family and friends that checking all those emails become secondary.

We look at three different topics. The never-ending and controversial area of player evaluation. Just about every community soccer organization has to wrestle with this consideration. Wherever there is tiering of teams or a selection process required critical decisions have to be made.

Bobby Howe with his vast experience at every level of the game, looks at some of the criteria that have to be taken into consideration.  Click here to read "Qualities of a Soccer Player."

Its not cricket. At least Sepp Blatter, head of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), has that right. But cricket is light years ahead of FIFA in embracing technology to assist in critical decisions.

American Football, Tennis, Rugby, Hockey and other pro sports take advantage of technological developments. But not soccer. Why not? Writer Harit Joshi looks at the rationale and concludes that "Video Technology is a Must for Football" and goes on to say "as a Blatter of urgency."  Click here to read " Video Technology is a must for Football - as a Blatter of Urgency." 

Is coaching a group of 6-year olds any less important than coaching college players? And put another way, how seriously should the coaching role be taken at whatever level?  Urban Meyer resigned as the Florida Gators football head coach for family and health reasons.  Click here to read "Meyer's Resignation - by Tony Waiters."

Hope 2010 is a good year for you all and your feedback is always appreciated.