Welcome to the soccer family! Whether you're proudly donning your first "Soccer Mom" or "Soccer Dad" shirt, or you're considering the jump to club soccer we welcome you! Soccer is more than just a game—it's a whole culture, a sub-world where snacks and shin guards reign supreme, and sideline lawn chairs become a competitive sport unto themselves. So let's kick this off (pun intended) with a few tips to help you navigate the pitch. Start with Recreational Soccer If your kid is new to soccer, it's tempting to jump into competitive club soccer, but slow down! Start with a recreational or intram ..read more

Two weeks ago I posted a simple graphic I made showing parents where they should sit during a youth soccer game. Its pretty simple and in my mind common sense. Parents should sit directly across from their players at least 5' off of the field even though it should probably be closer to 10' (if you can touch the sideline with your toes, you're definitely too close), never sit behind the goals and stay between the 18's. Ok, on small sided fields its hard to stay within in the 18's but you still should so you kids can make throw ins, referees can see what they need to see and its courteous ..read more

Three years ago you would never have heard these words come out of my mouth. I had my U14 on a crash course toward total burnout. I was convinced that every training session, every game, every showcase was more important than anything else. Missing anything was a giant mistake. I've mellow since then and I hope my kid has benefited from my change of heart. I've used this blog as a place to share my soccer regrets, of which I have a lot. One that I will never make right on is from a couple of years back. A player on a team I was an admin for wanted to attend his Freshman Homecoming. A right ..read more

One of the most common questions I get from parents at tryout time is "Do you have a list comparing club fees?" The answer is, I do but it is not comprehensive and I don't have explicit permission from clubs to publish that information so I am not comfortable publicly sharing that information. Earlier in the year we asked clubs to provided us with their fee information and we published the information that was shared for the purpose of sharing in this blog post. Without sharing individual club fees which are hard to compare because of so many factors like winter training, number of tournament ..read more

As the spring season unfolds and tryout season begins to infiltrate the youth soccer community, it's time to revisit the ever-exciting world of team rankings. With several games under their belts, teams are starting to assert their dominance or make impressive strides up the ladder. In this blog post, we'll take a fresh look at three prominent ranking sources: gotsoccer.com, Youth Soccer Games, and the Soccer Rankings app, to gauge the pulse of youth soccer teams across the state. Before diving into the latest rankings, be sure to take a look at our previous posts about ranking, where we delv ..read more

"Chop Wood Carry Water" by Joshua Medcalf is often recommended for parents of young athletes because it offers valuable lessons about the process of mastery, discipline, and the mindset required for success in any endeavor, including sports. In 2016 my oldest son was transitioning from a club near our home to what was then called Crew Pre-Academy it was a part of the Crew Player Development System and for us it was a whole new world. It was instantly clear that the professional coaching environment and the expectations for players and parents would be different from what we were used to. In ou ..read more

This fall I had the chance to tour our local Leveling the Playing Field, they share a space with Elevate Northland and are tucked away in the warehouse in the back. Honestly, if I had not been invited I would not have known they were there but hidden away in an old roofing warehouse is a little flicker of hope for young athletes throughout Ohio. Studies have shown that financial barriers can significantly limit access to sports for many young people. For example, a report by the Aspen Institute's Project Play found that cost is one of the major barriers to sports participation for children fr ..read more

Over my 15 years as a soccer parent I have read (or listened to a lot of books) I am going to keep reading and share some of my favorites with you. The links in this post are all affiliate link that go to Amazon. We receive a small commission on purchases made through these links. "Happy Feet: How to be a Gold Star Soccer Parent" is an indispensable guide for parents navigating the world of youth soccer. Authored by Dan Blank, this book serves as a comprehensive manual on everything parents need to know to support their child's soccer journey effectively. This is an inexpensive book to buy bu ..read more

Navigating Change: Evaluating the OHSAA's Divisional Shifts in High School Sports View the predicted divisional breakdowns here. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has decided to make significant and impacting changes, with recent alterations to its divisional structures sparking debates and discussions across the state. These changes, slated to come into effect in the fall of 2024, particularly impact high school soccer, signaling a significant shift in the competitive landscape. Under the new proposal, girls and boys soccer will see the introduction of five divisions from the ..read more

Are you passionate about soccer and interested in becoming a referee in Ohio? Whether you're in Southern Ohio, Northern Ohio, or Central Ohio, there are specific steps and resources available to help you kickstart your referee journey. In this guide, we'll explore the process and opportunities available in each region. Steps to Become a Soccer Referee Are you ready to embark on your journey to becoming a soccer referee in Ohio? The process may seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance and resources, you can navigate it smoothly. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started ..read more