Early engagement develops coordination, fluidity and a feel for the ball. If you miss this at a young age, you’re playing an impossible game of catch-up.

All roads lead to tomorrow—𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉! ⚔️ Let’s make it count REDS 🔴

"Current research suggests that the rate at which a child matures has a significant effect on their long term athletic success. Early maturing children are often given access to better coaching, resources, and support." From Gruff Parsons, Sam Whitehead, Cameron Tucker-White,

The more I interact with both professional and amateur teams about player development, the more I realize how many are truly lost in this area. Very few understand the full journey, from grassroots and entry-level stages to elite, professional, and national team levels. Culture

Topher Scott Here is the article that we co-authored with Mark O'Sullivan PhD on Pavel where we looked at his development years to better understand his player pathway 🏒journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/…

Every person has hidden talents waiting to be unleashed. The 'collective genius' philosophy isn't about finding the perfect athlete—it's about creating environments where ordinary people discover they're capable of extraordinary things. Stop looking for talent. Start building it.

The most hard-hitting 2 sentences in all of talent development research:

Apart from it being the best campaign we have had since the u-23 Asian Cup came about, the team under Naushad Moosa looked fit, organised and disciplined all through (very likely that this is the highest number of isl and i-league minutes we have had in our u-23 squad)

Sounds very familiar

🥹❤️ Pablo Aimar: “The most incredible thing is about Messi is that he was always the plan. I used to say: ‘Saturday at 4pm, Barcelona plays. Saturday at 4, make the tea, get some cake, and watch Messi.’ He never failed you. Sometimes you go to the movies and the film is good,

This is an excellent paper from Mark O'Sullivan et al., The term nonlinear is important to understand for coaches of all levels.

Heroic Cape Verde, hopeless India: Why there is no correlation between population and success in football: In a country of nearly 1.5 billion, 41.4% footballers who have got playing time in top division come from just 3 states. More such data 👇 Richard Hood indianexpress.com/article/explai…

Pradhyum Reddy left Dempo and joined the Philippines U-17 team. Now, they’ve made it to the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup with an all-win record, without conceding a goal. He has previously worked with high level female players in US, reports Flavio Lopes timesofindia.indiatimes.com/goa/fantastic-…

Japan 🇯🇵 understands technical development and they have been doing it right over the past 25 years. I want to say the USA 🇺🇸 will but the reality is that 🇯🇵 will likely be the first non CONMEBOL/UEFA nation to win the World Cup over the next 20-24 years

Seiwa Gakuen are so fun to watch, they’re just a bunch of street ballers on a grand 11 versus 11 pitch.

“Un hincha me dio esta flor, me dijo que había fallecido su hija y que la dejara en el centro del campo, así que le vamos a cumplir con su deseo”. Esto de Julián Álvarez. ❤️

Winning vs. development is a false choice. The best development teaches players how to win. Understanding when to take risks, when to control the game, and how to adapt under pressure is part of learning.

With social isolation rising, about the last thing that brings people together - even across political divides - is sports fandom. Me Financial Times on why fans have more friends, social connections and democratic beliefs. With thanks to More in Common US as.ft.com/r/671ea66b-4d7…