The world is becoming aware of the emergence of a 'sleeping giant'. They realize that with our resources and size it is only a matter of time that is keeping us from attaining our rightful place at the top of the soccer world. The space for the men's World Cup trophy has already been cleared away at the Soccer House in Chicago. Yet, they are stopping us with a 'secret weapon' that even a Batman foe would view with envy. They are infiltrating us with a 'training virus.' If you are skeptical -- try these two experiments with your team:

Experiment Number One.

Experiment Number Two.

The following symptoms will tell you if, in fact, you have been contaminated by this sinister international virus: The players are able to line-up without assistance. The players are able to give each other a number. The players can line-up faster and faster with each go around. Look out the virus has been planted.

If the symptoms of the second experiment are as follows, you know for certain you have been contaminated: The players stand around holding balls and cones in hand looking puzzled. When you turn your back, some put cones on their heads or use them as megaphones. Those with the ball either sit on it, toss it to themselves or throw it at others. Finally when you ask them what they are waiting for, they reply, 'The next instruction!' Beware, the virus has taken over.

You are not alone with these results. The experiments mentioned have been conducted in more than 20 states. The teams and players used in the experiments ranged from U6 to U18 Olympic Development players. The results were always the same:

Able to organize and stand in line = 100%
Able to organize and play a (1 v 1) game= 0%

We must reverse these statistics by asking ourselves, 'Is standing in line part of the game?' Since the obvious answer is a resounding NO. Stop asking your players to stand in lines during practice sessions! Now, take the same approach used to perfect the standing-in-line technique, and use it to teach what does occur in the game. You must begin with the 1 vs. 1 foundation game.

Think about it. While our young players are waiting 'their' turn to have a chance at touching the ball, all other players around the globe are playing a variation of the 1v1 game. (A 'sandlot style' soccer game). They play soccer around the world like we play basketball. It goes something like this:

Now, lets' look at the scenario taking place in our US soccer communities. It goes something like this:

It is our duty to instill a soccer conscience into our players. First, we must understand that all it takes is a ball, a goal (object) and two players to play a 1 v 1 game. Then, in practice we need to teach them to obtain a soccer ball. We need to teach them how to place an object (tree, hat, cone, etc.) on the ground to represent a goal. Teach them, when they have possession of the ball (Attack), they can score by touching the ball to the object. Teach them, when they don't have possession of the ball (Defend), to protect the object from touching the ball. We must teach them (at practice) to confidently find an object and automatically begin playing the 1 v 1 game. Once they are independent, encourage them to play 1 v 1 soccer at home.

What we need to teach is that

Let's show the world we can cure the virus by teaching our young players to 'LOVE TO PLAY UNORGANIZED 1 V 1 SOCCER!'