During 2011 spring trip to Holland (3-16 to 3-27, 2011), the CBC DutchTouch International Soccer Program paid a return visit to the professional club NEC Nijmegen, of the Dutch Eredivisie.

We have met a wonderful man there named Remco ten Hoopen. This year we observed his training sessions and had a couple of very insightful talks with him. Remco has been a professional coach at NEC for the last 11 years, and he was a member of the Dutch U17 National team as a player before an injury sent him into coaching.

At NEC, Remco’s duties have included: goalkeeper trainer, Youth Technical Coordinator and Youth Coach (U10).

Rob Staggenborg, a journalist who was part of our group, posed the following questions to Remco by email after we returned to the States and Remco answered in great detail.

ROB: I was the journalist who was traveling with the American group of players and coaches that trained with you at NEC Nijmegen the week of 20 March. Needless to say, we were very impressed with a few if the things you spoke about. As I am writing a written article for American audiences, I would like to pose a few questions to you.

1. After the u8s(U10) played the game in which they scored their 100th goal, you spoke to us about one of the players - player (#8) - who you brought into the program despite reservations of some of the other coaches. You said with this player “only 100 percent positive with this player.” ... Tell us, how difficult was it to break that player of early bad habits that limited him as a player and teammate?

I will try to answer all off your questions you asked me, and I keep doing that as long as you need it. It’s no problem for me to answer questions and put time in it, because it’s always for the kids.

Development, fun and competition, that’s what sport is all about and if I can share my knowledge with people like you and also people who are reading your articles, it will be win, win and in the future I can learn from people how they react on articles, maybe meet those people sometime, so we share our knowledge to be a better person, coach and trainer.

I hope you understand my English typing, so you can make a good story of it!!!

The first question I answer is about Vinay Saltani. It’s not an under 8 player but a under 10, born in 2001.

We draft (scout) him from an amateur club just 1,5 mile from NEC. HE was playing in the highest U9 league in the region. We scouted him in August 2009. On that moment we invited him to train with other talented players his age, what we do on Sundays.

The first session I saw him do things in the game what was very unusual for u9 kids. Especially when he didn’t have the ball!!! A lot of coaches and scouts are only watching players with the ball! I believe in that but more important what can he do WITHOUT... Is the player a natural runner?

Does he have the guts to call for the ball? How fast is he (footskills). In the first session i was already impressed, but he didn’t play well with the ball! Our scouting didn’t believe in him and during the sessions it got worse and worse. Still I believed in this kid, try to explain his talent. On the last moment they had enough about my complaining and moaning, that they give me what I want, this kid in the NEC program. He started in August 2010 in our program, his first 14 sessions and games were horrible, but I was keeping faith in him, looked through the mistakes he made, and kept pushing him to the thing I know he is good in.

Meanwhile (question 2 combined) I talked to his father. Asked him what happens with Viany the last year, what happens at home, what did they do at the amateur club etc etc. I talked with him and I made the appointment that we had a small contact after every session that he was watching his kid.

I told him what I thought Vinay did good that session, and the only thing dad had to tell Vinay was the good things I just told him after sessions! Meanwhile I told Vinay the same things in an eye to eye contact after the session or game. During the weeks you saw him grow.

Every session he got better and better, until the moment you saw him play that game! It was all about talking positive, build up his confidence, build up his trust by teammates. Basically I was putting a lot of energy and time in this player.

Talked with him, his dad, his teammates. Looked at his mental qualities, try to find a player that combined him, and find a player who was totally his opposite. I let him do drills and sessions with those 2 players to give him a good feeling with the player who was close by him (feels safe) but also give him a boost - to train also out of his comfort zone with this player who is totally different than him, BUT still in that SESSION I provided him only with POSITIVE energy!! So he was developing himself out of his confort zone but still get positive reactions.

During the season starts August till this moment, I give him 9 out of 10 positive coach moments, and one “negative” - I don’t talk about negative but more a develop-coach-moment in a sandwich feedback (good thing- develop thing- good thing to close the conversation) Important in that case was (and is with everybody) to let THEM GIVE THE ANSWERS, so I asked him questions with WHY? WHAT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE? etc etc.

Important with this is that I worked with all my kids this way! Positive and trust in the kid. let him know that I believe in them, that they can make a lot of mistakes in the game, even that it means that we lose the game. The players must have the will to win games!! My will is to develop them in games!

Trust, talk and believing in, those are keywords.

Positiveness. Vinay is a kid where I’m extra proud of, because I was the only one who saw his potential, and now he is once a week training with an age group above him.

2. How do parents fit into the picture of your system? What role are they expected to play, how many times in the u8(U10) divisions do you have to warn your parents for being overly involved or overly critical.

Meanwhile it is clear that parents play a very very important roll during top sport of their child. Parent can make and break their own kid! That’s the reason I talk a lot with parents.

I need to know everything. If the parents are in a divorce, that their kitten died, their brother or sister has the flu or whatever. When I know everything I can handle during the session. Put an arm around him, listen to him, talk to him. But sometimes, talk with him because for example a kid didn’t want to eat... I talked with him and during a long period he started to eat, that was a big step.

But only because that he trusted me and had the guts to talk about it. His father (was a man from Morocco, very proud people, for him a big step) So parents are important to support their kids. It is forbidden for them to coach soccer thing by the games.

In the beginning of the seasonthat happens a lot, always I send my assistant to them to tell NOT TO COACH, words as shoot, pass, action etc, etc - I have parent meetings a lot where I talk about this sort of thing.

I explain to them that sometimes I give the players an assignment, for example, only play with your left leg today, or only actions (1 vs 1), don’t pass If parent coach PASS it will be very confusing for the kid. In the whole program from u10 till u19 that’s a rule Don’t coach only support. But again, contact with the parent, talk about their kid about their progress etc, etc - its very important.

I’m very close to them. It’s not unusual, I’m basically the only coach in our program who thinks like this and talks a lot. It’s because of my norms and ..... It fits me as a person It’s personal.

Soccer is a physical game. How much emphasis is put upon the themes of physicality and toughness at the early u8 (U10) age groups? How important is weight training and agility drills and non ball drills at that early age?

The third question is very tough to answer. I will try to explain. If we talk about power-training and weightlifting, kids can do that from the moment they are FULL-GROWN, around 17/18 years old (we test that in a hospital....) Then they get a powerlift program.

But soccer-training is also power-training and conditioning. During sessions you try to put their limit a step higher, also by toughness. For example I play 2 vs 2, and they MUST win. I play referee, but don’t call a lot. Sometimes a kid take the ball in a not fair way but I let it go kid can complain, or be tough, stand up quick and try to get the ball and help their teammate.

With those things we work with skill like the one you saw in session that Friday. the one with pressuring the ball and backup, in this drill you can give other assessment so the drill changed into another form. Still the back up and pressuring but now with the goal, to get the ball.

If players are going to use their body to protect the ball and keep ball possession, they have to be strong and smart and practice both of those things And so there are a lot of form you can combine soccer, soccer-conditioning (don’t run rounds) agility, soccer-strongness etc, etc. It’s all based on the soccer-game.

I hope I answered the question good and you understand...

Remco ten Hoopen

March 2011

5 Drills from Remco ten Hoopen

Terry catches up American ex-pat Robert Wilson who is living in Rio De Janiero where he works as a venture capitalist and is author of The Football Manifesto, and the upcoming update, The Football Manifesto 2. Robert is a Stanford graduate and a graduate of Harvard Law School.

The roundtable talked about

- The MLS ownership model

- Fan-centric ownership in Budesliga

- Deloitte's World Soccer Rankings - notice the best MLS team nowhere on the lost

- Will relegation/promotion work in the USL? How?

- Brazilian soccer culture

- Team valuation for the world's most valuable clubs.

- Future path for US Soccer

- Much more!

Visit: The Football Supporters Trust League (STL) GoFundMe.

STL's GoFundMe campaign is the only legacy worthy of WC26 and asks 50,000 football fans and youth  footballing families in the USA and Canada for $100 each to fund incorporation of STL,the launch of STL’s first  four (of 32) founding fan-owned world-class football clubs (Boston, NYC, Chicago, LA), and a state-of-the-art  mobile registration platform that offers to turn the 90 million football fans in the USA and Canada into member owners of STL and the STL clubs they support.

Fans, $100 buys you out of being a consumer in a rigged system and into being a founding member-owner of STL’s democratic league and clubs. Stop renting the Beautiful Game. Own it! Visit: STL’s GoFundMe 

If you want to get involved contact us: liberatefootball@gmail.com

The Football Manifesto and Club Handbook: Bringing the Beautiful Game to the People and Making the USA #1 in the World by Robert Wilson

BUY IT: https://a.co/d/0is7t1Ua

# # #

Welcome to EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER, a soccer podcast by Terry Michler. With 52 years of coaching experience, Terry is considered the winningest high school soccer coach in America. Coach has a hard-earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships on his resume.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

6 to 8 years old: Discovery

Easily distracted, cannot concentrate for long periods of time. Egocentric, they all want the ball – 3v3 becomes 1 v 5. The players’ abilities are largely limited to kicking ball forward, receiving passes, dribbling and shooting at goal. Every player need constant contact with the ball. Create fun games with the ball that they can do. The ball is their biggest obstacle. Size 3 ball and play 4v4 in a modified area. Allow for a lot of space.

8 to 10 years old: Development

More small-group oriented, longer attention span. Ideal age to develop fundamental soccer skills. More awareness and purpose – more aggressive. Teach skills in modified soccer games. Size 3 or 4 ball and play 4 to 5 a side. Able to combine with one or two other players more comfortably. Better able to deal with light soccer pressure.

10 to 12 years old: Creativity

They have control over their own movements and work consciously to improve their game. Continue with skill development, but now is the time to start teaching insight into the game. Small sided games provide many opportunities for problem-solving and confidence in trying new moves and techniques. Now is the time to start adding different conditions to the small-sided games. Individual soccer personality begins to unfold. They are motivated to try new things. Size 4 ball and up to 7 a side games.

12 to 14 years old: Discipline

Development of individual opinions, more assertive. Growth spurts for some but not all. Increased capacity to read the game (insight). Tasks are assigned, movement off the ball, combination play. Awkward stage for some, coordination is a problem. Speed of play increases. Talent gaps become noticeable. Team concepts begin to be introduced. Team play (attack, defense and transition) becomes the focal point. Players at this stage will ask many questions and need to know why they are doing things. They are curious as to what is the purpose. Size 4 or 5 ball with 8 or 11 a side.

14 to 16 years old: Competitive

Winning is more important than ever, capable of playing very competitive soccer. Playing pressures increase dramatically (time and space). Physique and fitness are developing, coordination is improving. Plays the game with more insight and intensity. Tactics and team play are main themes. Positional play (role and tactics) become very important. Some players struggle to keep pace with the rest. Size 5 ball and 11 a side.

16 to 18 years old: Fulfillment

More mentally and physically stable. All of the soccer ingredients are in place, now it’s a matter of putting everything together. The speed of play demands a faster level of mental and technical play. Tactics and roles become more important and complex. Team organization, systems of play, defensive schemes all become more sophisticated.

*** Up until they are 16, the French work only on technique.

The relationship is just the ball and the player to improve control touch and passing. Players need complete control of the ball before moving on to tactics and strategies.

Thanks for reading!

Terry Michler

michlert@outlook.com

Extra Time with Terry Michler on Apple Podcasts

Extra Time with Terry Michler on Spotify

- MAURICIO POTTECHINO'S EXTENSION AS USMNT COACH

- FIFA WOES: GIANNI NOW DEALING WITH GLOBAL MUTINY

- ABOUT LARRY BERG - NEW MLS COMMISSIONER

- DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

- COACHES CORNER: RONDOS AND SMALL SIDED GAMES.

- TERRY'S TAKE: THE CHAOS OF PRESEASON AND TRYOUTS

- NEW OKC USL FRANCHISE HAS STAR-STUDDED OWNERSHIP GROUP: BAKER MAYFIELD, JALEN WILLIAMS, JOZY ALTIDORE

Welcome to EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER, a soccer podcast by Terry Michler. With 52 years of coaching experience, Terry is considered the winningest high school soccer coach in America. Coach has a hard-earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships on his resume.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topics we covered

- South Africa advancing in World Cup 26

- African football and how nations impressed the world

- The state of development of youth programs across South Africa and in Johannesburg, where he's based.

- His passion and love for the beautiful game

- His worldwide soccer view: Spanish club soccer ranks number 1

- Football (soccer) once again unites two cultures across the world.

- Lehlogonolo sends greetings from Johannesburg to North American listeners!

AIR4T Is A Marketing And Promotions Company For Football Players/Agents/Clubs Currently. Exposing & Building Player/Club Profiles And Online Presence Being The Core Of The Company Focus. AIR4T FOOTBALL (YOUTUBE CHANNEL) ▶️🔂⚽👇🏾

https://youtube.com/shorts/21aAbSizeRssi=v5KbobiR6uQzVAzCDM

Welcome to EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER, a soccer podcast by Terry Michler. With 52 years of coaching experience, Terry is considered the winningest high school soccer coach in America. Coach has a hard-earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships on his resume.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER is proud to be a national support of the U.S. High School Champions League - building champions on and off the pitch. Learn more at ⁠ushscl.com⁠

About the ushscl.com

The High School Champions League began in 2018 with a bold vision: to create a premier stage where high school athletes could push their limits, compete fiercely, and grow as leaders.

From its roots as a small Tampa Bay competition, HSCL has evolved into a five‑region powerhouse, one that continues to expand and inspire. Over the years, the league has become home to unforgettable moments of grit, sportsmanship, and personal transformation.

Today, HSCL reaches more than 100 schools and over 2,000 student‑athletes annually. It provides a competitive pathway that elevates high school soccer and prepares young athletes for the demands of college athletics and beyond. HSCL alumni now compete at Division I universities and even represent their nations on the world stage.

EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER

Welcome to EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER, a soccer podcast by Terry Michler. With 52 years of coaching experience, Terry is considered the winningest high school soccer coach in America. Coach has a hard-earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships on his resume.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

We play 4-2-3-1, or we might play 4-3-3, sometimes 4-4-2. Playing STYLE, not your organizational scheme (system). How do you play, not how do you align the players?

A playing style is the core of how you play as a team in possession and in loss of possession. Do you have a designated playing style? Are the players aware of your expectations?

Do you train to play that way, or do you just say it without playing it?

What is the most important thing in soccer? The answer is the ball! The reason is simple – the ball determines everything that happens. When you have it, you want to keep it and try to score. When you don’t have it, you want to get it back.

Many teams profess to be a possession team, yet their play more resembles ping-pong soccer because the ball is constantly being turned over. If your team plays a possession style, can you, or do you, string together multiple consecutive passes ….. 5,6,7 or more? Keeping a pass count can be one way to acknowledge possession, percentage numbers can also indicate the extent of possession you may have, but the real number is the number of consecutive passes in a single possession.

Let me explain. I have kept pass count for many seasons. For me, it indicates a certain rhythm that you establish. But in recent years, I started counting consecutive passes in a possession.

How many passes in succession can you make in a given possession? Too often the possession may only result in 1 pass, maybe 2 – other times it may just be the interception and a failed pass to follow. In that case, the possession may best be described as a contact, not a possession.

Does your possession mainly occur in the back third (in the build-up phase) where there is little pressure? How often does the possession in the middle third ‘break lines’, vs how many backwards/sideways passes? In the most difficult and congested area of the attacking third, can you draw defenders out of entrenched positions by maintaining combination play and creative running?

How about on restarts – starting with the Center-off. It seems that once the rule changed, the long, give-it-away ball has become popular. Center off back into the backfield, run down the field, kick it long, loose it, try to win it back!! Possession?!? Hardly.

Goal-kick: with the latest rule change, you can now build up/out from the 6 yard box – the ball no longer must clear the penalty area.

Free kicks: how many times do you see a team restart with a short, controlled pass and maintain possession and build an attack. Too often, the long, hopeful ball is played, and mostly lost.

A true possession playing style would be consistent in all phases of play – through the normal run of play and restarts.

Multiple consecutive passes would determine a true possession team. Close support enables possession to be more easily maintained. The basic rule of Receive, Pass and Move is the true substance of a possession style of play. The advantage of close support is the immediacy of options and better recovery chances on turnovers.

A true possession style of play is dependent on a number of factors – good support options, proper passing technique, clean first touch, passing at the right time, to the right spot, in the right way.

Passing angles, weight of the pass, positioning of defenders, opportunity to ’break lines’ and passing to the ‘open’ side of a marked teammate are ingredients of a successful possession style of play. The essence of possession soccer is to play ‘keep away’ with a purpose, build up to score a goal.

Let’s talk briefly about the purpose of passing. Sometimes this may be misunderstood or not understood. The purpose of passing is - to move the opponents out of their desired position.

In some cases - Barcelona/Spain tiki-taka soccer, Manchester City soccer - the team may total a ‘thousand’ passes and only score one goal. One goal is better than none and with a shutout, you win, but should a ‘thousand’ passes only yield one goal?

The first priority in possession soccer is to keep the ball in the team – find an open teammate and pass to him – preferably in a forward position. The next highest priority is to play to the deepest attacking player, nearest the goal – ‘break lines’. This is best done early in the play, usually after a turnover when the opposing team is a bit disorganized.

If the deep, early pass is not available, then be content to find an open player with available space, and make that pass. Continue to circulate the ball from player to player, switching the point of attack, always with an eye for the ‘killer’ pass.

‘Breaking lines’ is also referred to as packing. What Is Packing in Soccer?

Packing refers to eliminating opponents from a play with a single action — usually a forward pass or a dribble. When a player delivers a pass that moves the ball past three defenders and reaches a teammate, those three players are ‘packed’. They’re now behind the ball and no longer part of the defensive phase. Packing focuses on progression, not simply possession.

Statistics relating to completed passes and team possession can be very misleading. There is no guarantee that achieving a high pass count will equal a win – the passes may be un-pressured from a back to a back or to the keeper without any advancement of the ball. Possession must be joined with a purpose – to advance the ball, draw defenders out of position, create scoring chances, and score goals.

Teams with low pass counts, but a highly organized and efficient counter-attack, can often offset the low pass count and win games. Possession with a purpose is a must!!

Shall we look at the benefits of playing possession soccer? Possession wins games – statistics provide proof that teams that maintain a higher percent of possessions, wins a higher percent of games.

When your team has the ball:

• Your opponent can’t score.

• You dictate the tempo, making it harder for opponents to press or counterattack.

Possession Leads to More (and Better) Chances

Possession-based teams often create more high-quality scoring opportunities, not just more shots

Possession with Purpose - possession isn’t about passing for the sake of passing. It’s about controlling the match, creating high-quality chances, and developing intelligent, confident players. Possession Is a Team Effort

Summarize Ball Possession:

What are you (we) doing when we have the ball?

In a game of soccer, on average, a player has ball contact @ 2 minutes –

1) what are you doing with the ball? … 2) what are you doing without the ball?

For the most part, you are playing without the ball.

How are you being of help to the player with the ball? Are you providing an option?

My teams count passes in a game.

For example: we may have 70 possessions, but only 100 passes.

How many passes are we making per possession?

Many possessions may be 0 or 1 successful passes.

If we can increase our passes per possession, we will play better.

With 0 or 1 successful passes, we are just turning the ball over to the other team ….. like a game of ping pong.

When we have the ball, it creates a tempo and a confidence factor.

When we have the ball, they can’t score!!

The player with the ball must make good decisions and good execution. Quick, short passes keep the team connected and the support close if we lose the ball.

Ball Possession is just a means to an end.

The end game is to score goals and win the game, not to get a high pass count.

Scoring is always the first priority … sometimes best achieved through a controlled possession

What happens when you lose the ball? In a possession-based team, ideally, the players maintain a closer distance among themselves to make passing options more convenient. Short passes connect players and keep the ball moving and the opponent chasing. When the possession breaks down, with the players close to one another, they provide an immediate pressure to quickly recover the ball. The more delay in their reaction, the less chance there will be for an immediate recovery. In training, during possession drills or rondos, the coach must emphasize the immediate reaction to regaining the ball – no standing or pouting. The basic defensive principles of pressure, support and balance should apply.

In all instances, the transition period is very critical. The one who thinks and reacts and plays quicker gains the advantage. Playing small-sided games in training with different conditions will help condition the mindset of the player to continue playing and shift ‘gears’ into the opposite phase of play. Transition is the transfer from possession to loss of possession and vice versa. A common exercise is to give the team losing possession 6 seconds to regain the ball. That requires immediate, coordinated action by the individual and the group involved in that particular moment.

Staying with the training moment, possession play is based on many elements: correct passing technique, vision/awareness, communication, support, receiving touch (1^st touch), proper weighted pass, movement of players off the ball, timing, angles, distance, deception and repetition. Careful, critical coaching observation and feedback will help develop a successful possessions style of play. Establishing and maintaining a standard of accepted performance will always challenge the players to raise their level. Any possession training activity (rondos) should be taken very seriously and concentration must remain high to avoid unnecessary breakdowns.

In this article, What is Your Playing Style, I chose to focus on a ball possession style of play. As we all know, there are more ways to play. A few other playing styles would be:

Direct Style of Play

The direct style of play focuses on long balls, quick transitions, and aerial prowess to bypass the midfield area and put pressure on the opposition’s defense. This playing style gets rid of the build-up play and instead relies on fast-paced attacking style soccer to create scoring chances.

Gegenpressing (High Pressing)

Gegenpressing, or high pressing, is a modern soccer tactic where teams immediately press the opposition after losing possession of the ball. This defensive pressing disrupts the opponent’s build-up play and forces mistakes in dangerous areas, leading to quick scoring opportunities.

Counter Attacking

A counter-attacking style is an effective strategy used when a team absorbs pressure in its own half and quickly transitions into attack once it wins back possession. This style of play relies on pace, direct style passing, and exploiting space left behind by the other team’s high pressing defense.

Tiki-Taka

A variation of the possession game that focuses on quick passes, constant movement, and fast link-up play in tight spaces. Teams that use this style of play dominate the midfield area to create space, not lose possession of the ball, and generate scoring opportunities.

Parking the Bus

This defensive playing style is all about sitting deep, defending in numbers, and making it difficult for the opposition to break through the defensive line. Teams using this strategy often have a compact formation, such as a five-in-the-back formation with three center-backs and two fullbacks, and they will focus on winning aerial duels, clearances, and using the counter-attack or set pieces to score goals.

Total Football

Total Football is a revolutionary tactical approach where individual players are versatile and can switch positions fluidly, ensuring constant movement and control over the game. This playing style requires that everyone in the team has high levels of technical skills, tactical intelligence, and team chemistry, to maintain possession and exploit the opposition’s weaknesses.

Set Piece Dominance

Although some might argue this is not really a style of play, there are a lot of teams that focus heavily on set pieces, such as corners, free kicks, and throw-ins, to create goal-scoring opportunities. Teams that have very tall players, aerial prowess, well-rehearsed routines, and precise deliveries into dangerous areas rely heavily on set pieces to score their goals.

Terry Michler

michlert@outlook.com

If you enjoyed this article, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss an episode or article! Terry’s got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

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- Remembering Italian football legend Franco Baresi, who passed this week at age 66.

- FIFA's bad deal has the world federations near mutiny.

- Will this send Gianni marching home?

- Rethinking America's soccer model with Robert Wilson's 2018 book, The Football Manifesto.

- Terry's Coaching Corner: Analysis from America's most successful high school soccer coach.

- Upcoming shows, interview specials.

Welcome to EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER, a soccer podcast by Terry Michler. With 52 years of coaching experience, Terry is considered the winningest high school soccer coach in America. Coach has a hard-earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships on his resume.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER is proud to be a national support of the U.S. High School Champions League - building champions on and off the pitch. Learn more at ushscl.com

Please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE! Send out to a friend or a group of friends and help us grow our show's reach.

Check us out each Monday for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Extra Time with TERRY MICHLER is proudly sponsored by the US High School Champions League. Learn more at ushscl.com

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hey fans, don't miss an episode! Join ⁠⁠Terry's Substack⁠⁠ for episode reminders, archives, analysis, coaching articles, presentations, soccer development news, and great interviews.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Extra Time with Terry Michler - a soccer podcast returns to a weekly format with new episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify every Monday morning. The show will return to the podcast platforms on Monday, August 3, 2026 with an all-new episode.

Extra Time with Terry Michler started as a quick check-in with America’s most successful high school coaches about the 2026 FIFA World Cup with daily podcast episodes over the 39 days of the tournament.

Joined by cohost and Producer Rob Staggenborg, Terry’s new show we explore the game through the eyes of one of America's most accomplished soccer coaches, sharing lessons on coaching, leadership, player development, winning, faith, and the pursuit of excellence.

EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER ON APPLE PODCASTS

EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER ON SPOTIFY

If you enjoyed this content, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode!

Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

For more information, contact Rob Staggenborg, Producer, at extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com

By its very nature, soccer is a simple game – played with emotion, passion, skill and teamwork -- blending individual talents and abilities into a cohesive team unit that, when functioning at its best, is greater than the sum total of all its parts.

The simple objective of the game is to outscore your opponent by 1 goal in order to win the game -- how you choose to go about doing that, and how you evaluate that – runs the gamut. Therein lies the difficulties and conflicts of soccer.

With everyone having an opinion and an operational plan, conflict is inevitable. Thus, coaches are the ones responsible for choosing a plan that is appropriate both for their own personality, coaching style and background, joined with the abilities and potential of their available talent pool.

Conflicts arise when people outside of the group (team) try to influence people inside the group (team) with their opinion and perspective about how they feel you should be playing. The problem is that people outside of the group are not aware of the intent and plan of the group --- their ideas and helpful hints – albeit well intended – cause confusion, uncertainty and at times problems.

When I go to watch a club game involving my soccer players in the off-season, I find it very difficult and uncomfortable, because I look at the play from my perspective and what I would want them to be doing. I do not know what their coaches are wanting them to do.

Thus, they may be playing the perfect game according to the plan of the team and the coach, but in my eyes, I see where things could be different. So, I usually pick my spots to watch just a few of the more meaningful games, and always, try to keep my thoughts to myself.

As parents, it is only natural and expected that you have a personal interest in your son.

There is a tendency to see things only through your son. This become subjective as the perspective narrows to only your son and your concerns. As coaches, we maintain an objective approach – focusing on what is good for the group. We would forfeit every game if we lined up 22 starters for the opening kickoff.

Therefore, coaches are forced to choose 11 to start the game—the choice is based upon performance and attitude that best supports and represents the action plan of the team. In the eyes of the coach, your son is 1 of 22, from your point of view, he may well be the only point of view. When objectivity clashes with subjectivity, problem can occur.

Choices made by coaches will always be made objectively , what is in the best interest of the team. Problems in soccer occur at every level -- the million dollar players all over the world have their share of problems with coaches and management. Problems in soccer occur beyond team soccer. Problems in soccer are a natural occurrence and happen as a result of the subjectivity of soccer.

How can you best help your son? Have him talk to his coach!

He needs help with a soccer situation that can only be resolved through the team’s coaches. Don’t involve club coach or anyone else because, they don’t know, nor understand the specific team plan. Their advice would tend to be more confusing and could lead to further problems. It’s easy to find people that will support your complaint, but that doesn’t always work best to resolve the problem.

It would be very similar to any of the coaches showing up at your work place and telling you how we think you should do your job. (By the way, we are terribly behind in the tally in that regard). It would be unfair of us to do that and you would not appreciate it – you know your job and you’ve got your expertise. For us to show up and question you about how you’re doing your job might just create a problem. You just might take offense to that.

We coaches do actually have an idea of what we want to try to do – an organization plan.

• We do our best to communicate the plan to our players.

• We value practice as our opportunity to develop our action plan.

• Games provide us an opportunity to test, evaluate and correct our plan.

• Games tell us what we need to be working on to better improve and refine our plan.

In summation, we develop a plan, put it into practice, evaluate it, improve it and do our best to get it as right as we possibly can.

Thanks for reading!

Terry Michler

michlert@outlook.com

Terry Michler is back with the latest edition of EXTRA TIME WITH TERRY MICHLER - a soccer podcast by the legendary coach Terry Michler - the winningest high school soccer coaching in America with over 52 seasons and 1,200 victories as a high school coach.

New Episodes Weekly | On Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Terry has earned eight Missouri State Boys Soccer Championships in his career coaching in St. Louis, MO. He played professionally for the Kansas City Spurs of the old NASL before coaching.

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about  strategy, philosophy, team and player management, game analysis, as well as featured guests. from across the world of soccer and international football.

Don't miss an episode! Join ⁠Terry's Substack⁠ for episode reminders, archives, World Cup analysis, coaching articles and presentations, soccer development news, and a host of interviews.

Check us out each Monday morning for new episodes on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

Extra Time with Terry Michler is produced in partnership with the US High School Champions League. Learn more at ushscl.com

THIS WEEK'S (03AUG) EPISODE:

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/kFRgGaQD14b

- New season of podcasts drop Aug. 3 on Apple and Spotify

- Thank you to our loyal listeners and followers

- All Terry: Being 'Technically Sound'?

Each week, Terry offers his insights and perspective as a championship coach about soccer strategy, combined with game analysis and featured guests. Sign up for Terry's Substack so you won't miss an episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

Check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

EPISODE LINK: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Tr74StDUU4b

In today's edition:

- Terry Breaks Down The World Cup Final

- #LaRoja reign supreme in tightly contested title game

- Spain confounds Argentina attack

- Breaking down the coaches: Terry's Take

- Terry gives his perspective on What's Next for Norway? England? Brazil? The USMNT?

- #FIFA-Trump red card saga will overshadow the World Cup, as history will remember the controversy.

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #USMNT #LaRoja #VamosEspana #Argentina #FIFAWorldCup26

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

EPISODE LINK: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dA5uFgNyR4b

In today's edition:

- Cup Final: Terry's Preview of Argentina and Spain

- Spain-Argentina coaches share unique teacher-student bond

- World Cup Through the Years: Terry's Top Word Cup moments throughout the modern history of the tournament.

- Why Coaching Matters in the Finals

- Breaking down Spain's style of play

- Terry gives his perspective on how pay to play soccer programs across the nation aren't helping the development of US players as much as in other nations

- Do we need the humiliation of a Third-Place Game? Really?

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #Argentina #LaRoja #Spain #ThreeLions #FIFAWorldCup26 #USMNT #WorldCup #Yamal #Messi

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

In today's edition:

- Daily WC update - Argentina pushes past England in semifinal

- What happened to #England? Terry's take.

- #Previewing #Spain and #Argentina - how the finalists stack up

- US Soccer Development - what's the WC taught us? We need serious changes, that's for sure

- Terry gives a coach's perspective on controversy surrounding England coach Thomas Tuchel and a few dubious decisions

he made en route to the loss.

- France's Didier DeChamps is no fan of the South American ref; race card revealed immediately.

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #USMNT #WeAre26 #Belgium #LaRoja #VamosArgentina #ThreeLions #LesBlues #FIFAWorldCup26

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

EPISODE LINK: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/wVJ76cAyM4b

In today's edition:

- Daily WC update - Spain handcuffs France in Semis

- #ThreeLions prepare for #Argentina

- Revisiting the #HandofGod controversy from 1986

- Terry's Take: Breaking down Spain's game plan

- #FIFA talks about plans to possibly expand World Cup in the future to 64 teams. How does that even work?

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #USMNT #WeAre26 #LaRoja # Les Blues #Argentina #ThreeLions #FIFAWorldCup26

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

EPISODE LINK: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/0Ih0RUZTK4b

In today's edition:

- Daily WC update - Racism enters France-Spain chat?

- Terry's pregaming #France vs. #Spain

- Taking FIFA to task for shady reputation.

- Breaking down Gianni Infantino's lucrative reign as FIFA President. As the World Cup winds down, FIFA has got some serious explaining to do.

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #USMNT #Argentina #ThreeLions #LaRojas #Spain #LesBlues #$FIFA$ #FIFAWorldCup26

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

EPISODE LINK: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Fk7a5DdeJ4b

In today's edition:

- Daily WC update - Switzerland's Red stifles team in 3-1 loss

- #ThreeLions prepare for #Messi and#Argentina in semifinal

- Looking Back at WC Moments: Terry's take

- Breaking down the mastery of Michael Olise of France who powers their offense, despite staying off the score sheet.

- Terry gives a coach's perspective on the four World Cup coaches remaining in the tournament. Strengths, weaknesses and styles explained.

- Messi and Adidas: How an unfulfilled track suit request from Messi's dad was the reason the star dumped #Nike and has been with Adidas ever since. Doh!

Legendary coach Terry Michler brings decades of coaching wisdom to the biggest stories in soccer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Extra Time with Coach Michler⁠⁠⁠⁠ offers insightful, entertaining conversations for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

If you enjoyed this episode, help us grow! Please LIKE, SHARE and encourage your fellow coaches, players and soccer enthusiasts to join. You can also COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE, so you don't miss an episode! Terry's got a lifetime of coaching wisdom to offer!

#WeAre26 #USMNT #Spain #Larojas #LesBleus #Argentina #ThreeLions #FIFAWorldCup26

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Terry's Substack Channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://extratimewithterrymichler.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠⁠⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

If you're a coach, parent, or soccer fan who wants weekly insights from Coach Michler, subscribe free at Extra Time with Terry Michler on Substack.

What could be the importance, significance of such a small number?

Well, I will try to explain. This is directed to the Youth Soccer Community, in particular, the Club Academy scene versus the High School Soccer experience. As there is a growing debate, or concern, over the dilemma of choosing between playing Club Academy OR High School Soccer, let this help you in your decision.

As it stands now, a player MUST choose between the two – it’s one or the other, not both. This becomes a significant issue for many players and parents trying to decide the best option. I think that if more information were available, those involved could make a more informed decision.

What does 0.5 % have to do with this? Here we go.

There are 250 million registered soccer players around the world. Of those 250 million, 130,000 are registered professional players – that represents 0.5 % !

Realistically, what is the chance of a young player becoming a professional soccer player? Slim, VERY slim at best!

If the assumption is that the Club Academy system is the supposed pathway to professional soccer, why are the numbers so low? Are there too many Club Academies? If so, Why! Is it to bring in more revenue for the Club? For example, in the city in which I live (St. Louis), there are 4 Academies – the MLS (St. Louis City) plus 3 local Clubs.

The question to ask is – are there enough high-level quality players to necessitate 4 Academies? Shouldn’t the Academies be for the VERY elite?

If the 4 Academies condensed into 1 Academy, might the higher-level players have a better chance to be recognized players as future professional prospects? Another condition to consider is that the best formula for success or achievement, or even identification, is that the BEST need to play with the Best and against the BEST.

I was fortunate enough in the past to travel to the Netherlands and was able to interview a long-standing youth coach in the Ajax Youth Academy and I asked him about their selection process (U10 age).- Their plan was to bring in 20 players and pick the best 5 – then they repeated that and picked another 20 and chose another 5 – eventually they found the best 20.

Their mantra is the BEST with and against the BEST! Then they gave them 1 year and were re-evaluated at the end of the year with 3 grading periods during the year. Even at that level of expertise, the fallout rate is very significant.

The European Academies are realizing the need to better prepare those who don’t make the professional level by providing additional training outside of soccer. School sponsored sports do not exist in Europe, everything goes through the club system.

We, in the US, have a long standing tradition that school sports have been the pathway to higher level play. Clubs and schools have managed to coexist forever with players reaping the benefit of both. Each provides their own benefits, which gives the players a more well-rounded experience and preparation for the next level. US Soccer is becoming the exception to this.

When US Soccer mandated that players must choose between Academy play and High School, it put the players in a one or the other situation.

Given the ridiculously low success rate of reaching the professional level, one must now consider what is being lost by NOT playing High School Soccer. It might be best to re-visit the WHY.

What are the reasons for choosing one over the other? For most young players, the overall experience will become more of an issue than the possibility of the ‘big reward’.

Let’s look at the High School Soccer experience. First of all, let’s cite some particulars. You play with your classmates, represent your school and community, create rivalries, have mixed age and ability groups, get local media coverage, life-long experience, recognition at school, conversation at alumni gatherings and very competitive soccer.

You feel a part of something bigger than yourself. A sense of pride that meant something to you at a very critical point of your adolescent development. Memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. When your playing days come to an end, you can reflect with a feeling of satisfaction.

A very recent movement in High School Soccer is the creation of the High School Champions League – a very special event! With the challenge of Academy Soccer, a small group of High School coaches and educators have started this movement to enhance the interest and importance of High School Soccer.

This movement is based on the UEFA Champions League model of being merit based. You must qualify under certain conditions such as winning a district Championship or receiving a high-power ranking. It is also metro based and free (no cost), with coach collaboration – coaches determine the criteria in their given metro area, and it is player empowered. The movement started in Tampa, and St. Louis joined, with other areas to follow.

The interest in this is growing by the day. Coaches in High School Soccer everywhere are interested and enthusiastic about the concept and keeping High School Soccer prominent in their metro areas.

Let’s put 0.5% into a real perspective and hopefully make a more informed decision. The choice is yours – consider your options, but first, maybe seriously consider your WHY. Let your WHY guide you to the best decision for you.

At the end of the day, what experience do you want from the participation and involvement in your soccer experience?

Hope this helps! Thanks for reading!

Terry Michler

_________________________________________________________

Check us out on Spotify and ⁠Apple Podcasts.⁠

Contact Terry at ⁠extratimewithterrymichler@gmail.com⁠