Soccer Coaching Blog
Barcelona Academy has Dutch Roots
La Masia, aka La Cantera, the FC Barcelona Youth Academy has produced many great players including Xavi, Iniesta and Leo Messi, all three finalists (with Messi winning) for the Ballon d'Or. Interestingly, the Academy was begun by legendary Dutch Coach Rinus Michels....
Johan Cruyff makes waves at Ajax FC
Johan Cruyff has caused several Board Members at Ajax to resign as a result of his recent recommendations. Cruyff has always been a very opinionated man and surely he has his own vision of how fabled Ajax F.C. can regain its stature in world soccer. More here...
Soccer Brains
Found an interesting article about the importance of creating soccer-smart players. BBC Sport On-Line: "Countless reasons have been put forward to explain England's repeated failure at international tournaments, so here is another one - a lack of (football)...
Ajax: How a Soccer Star is Made
Interesting article from the NY Times about the Ajax Youth Academy in Holland. Gives an inside look at the "how" and "why" it is able to develop world-class players. It also compares it to the approach of other countries including the U.S. More here...
Why go Dutch?
I first heard of the “Dutch Style” of training from a fellow coach. At the time, although I had played soccer for over 30 years, I was just beginning to learn how to coach the game. Searching for the best methods available I began to build my book and DVD library....
Casual vs. Committed Approach – Terry Michler
Casual vs Committed Approach On July 7, 2000 Louis Van Gaal signed a 6 year contract to become the Coach of the Dutch National Soccer Team and to oversee the entire National Program of Dutch Soccer. This fulfilled a lifelong dream and allowed Van Gaal the opportunity...
Terry Michler’s Soccer Philosophy
1. My Background 37 years as Head Varsity Coach at CBC High School (thru 2007 season) Started playing: age 5 – CYC - Club – High School – College – Professional Soccer visits: England, France, Portugal, Germany, and Holland (6 times) Attended World Cup ’94 USA, ’98...
“Guus Hiddink: Going Dutch” Review by Terry Michler
"Guus Hiddink: Going Dutch" By Maarten Meijers Introduction: Born: Nov. 8, 1946 As a player: De Graafschap (Holland) Washington Diplomats San Jose Earthquakes NEC-Nijmegen As a coach: De Graafschap PSV-Eindhoven ---- 5 times national champion, 4 times Amstel Cup...
Total Soccer Beats Title Soccer – Spain vs. Holland
Within the first few minutes of the broadcast of the Championship game of the 2010 World Cup, Martin Tyler mentions whether it will be ‘total soccer’ or ‘title soccer’ for the Dutch. Spain answered that question rather convincingly during the next 120 minutes of play...