Most teachers are well aware of a little phenomenon called “The Summer Brain Drain.” This is the loss of skills and knowledge that often happens during the months away from school. With many seasons already coming to an end just as official summer begins and a rather long gap before tryouts and then another before the start of the fall season, a parallel concept could be applied to our favorite youth sport: Summer Soccer Brain Drain. While this usually refers to a slide in math and reading skills, in the case of soccer it would be a loss of technical skill in the time away from the game. This is the perfect time to “MOTI UP” and helps combat a summer skill slide with some fun soccer homework.

• Encourages your player to learn and be active while also getting some bonus tech time.
• Learn Together! Study the skills on the app with your player and ask some directed but open-ended technique questions: “What do you notice about where the ball stays when doing the lateral four touches?”
• Opportunity to set up mini-challenges – the adult can participate too. See how many reverse Vs. can be done in a set amount of time.
• Record the players trying a skill and let them see themselves on the replay. Then give them a turn to do the same with you.

The prescription is in! A few healthy doses of MOTI (with World Cup viewing as an added supplement) to keep skills and learning on track.

View another COACHES CORNER article here.