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With a forward by Sir Bobby Robson

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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.

We'd like to wish all of you a great Christmas and all the best for 2010.

As is now our tradition with the World of Soccer Christmas Newsletter, we are going to take a light hearted look at the game of soccer.

Marc Rizzardo in his capacity of trainer/physiotherapist for the Canadian National Team program give us three instances of unusual challenges that can occur when a team is on-the-road. Coincidentally, all three instances took place in China, but there was 24 years between the first one and the last two that occurred at the Beijing Olympics last year.

Incidentally, Marc's first story surrounding Ralph Mazzucco wasn't funny at the time - especially for Raphael. And I say Raphael because that is what he is known as these days as he has become a world renowned photographer and artist.

I will add to Marc's story and give you some more information of Raphael. I first met Ralph Mazzucco when he was 16 - on a soccer field, of course.

Click here for One the Road with Marc Rizzardo

Click here for "Marc Rizzardo Escapades in China #2"

Click here for " Marc Rizzardo Escapades in China #3"

For my part in this edition, I'm going to tell two Christmas Soccer Stories. Both have appeared in previous World of Soccer Christmas editions. But then, it is Christmas and the same old Christmas movies, Christmas songs and Christmas carols are repeated - as they should be. Santa never changes. And he's still going around with the same Old Bag - carrying his toys, of course! You thought I was being derogatory to Mrs. Claus. So I won't feel too bad telling some old stories. I think you'll get a bit of a laugh from the stories and if you do, it is mission accomplished!  Click here to read "The Grinch Played for Chelsea."

Click here to read "Sometimes You Just Can't Win"

In the Boot Room. With Marc Rizzardo talking about some of his amusing experiences as a team trainer/physiotherapist when on-the-road, instead of his usual monthly column on soccer fitness and the avoidance of injuries, I thought I would pinch hit for him with 4 short stories of injuries in the "Good Old Days" where the level of expertise was not quite what it is today. You may have seen these before, but they are true and all the funnier for that. Click here to read "The Good Old Day"

Hope you enjoy.

In the November/ December issue we go with the old adage "a picture is worth a 1000 words."

As coaches we know that to be true. If not, we should. All of us learn so much more by seeing an action or a play. Listening to or reading words is a poor substitute for visual learning.

So in this edition of the Byte Size Coaching Newsletter we are going to let video tell the real story.

In 1986 the "Hand of God" made Maradona the most despised of players by English fans. Now it is the Irish who suffer at the hand of Thierry Henry in the European World Cup Playoffs.  Click here to read "Hand of God".

A former college team-mate of mine and the former New Zealand Football Association Technical Director, Barry Truman, sent me a link to a young man demonstrating some amazing soccer skills.  Click here for "Skills Testing."

Finally, Stan Van Gundy, coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic, has some really interesting things to say about the state of American basketball. This is a "presentation" rather then a demonstration, but has much to do with our situation in the coaching of American and Canadian players.  Click here to read "Basket Ball Player Development".

TEKK GOALS

What is the most exciting thing in the game of soccer?  Scoring a goal, of course!  Seeing the ball bulge the back of the net is the dream of every shooter.  As a former goalkeeper, tipping the ball around the post was just as meaningful to me.  Just look at the goal below.  It's made for shooting at.

So we have made arrangements with our friends at Tekk Goal to put the nets on offer 50% discounted. 

Click here for more information......