SPARK Training Spark #4: Why Scanning Matters August 23, 2026 / August 21, 2026 by Coach Gary One of the biggest differences between players who simply play fast and players who play smart is their ability to scan. Scanning means looking around before the ball arrives, checking your surroundings, and gathering information so you can make better decisions. The best players are always doing it. They are checking their shoulder, noticing space, […] Read more »
SPARK Training Spark #3 – Dribbling and Ball Control August 16, 2026 / August 12, 2026 by Coach Gary Some of the biggest improvements a young soccer player can make happen far away from a formal training session. They happen in the driveway. In the basement. In the backyard. In a small patch of grass with a ball at their feet and a few uninterrupted minutes to experiment. That is the heart of SPARK […] Read more »
SPARK Training SPARK #2: First Touch and Passing August 9, 2026 / July 31, 2026 by Coach Gary A great pass begins before the ball leaves a player’s foot. It begins with the way the player receives the ball, prepares their body and decides where the next action should go. That is why this week’s SPARK At-Home Training focus is First Touch and Passing. SPARK is designed to help Cleveland Flames players build […] Read more »
Parent Resources A Message From The DOC: Let The Players Think August 6, 2026 by Coach Gary A Preseason Reminder For Parents, Coaches, And Everyone On The Sideline There is a drum I have beaten before. It is one that shows up in almost every coaching license, diploma course, and serious conversation about player development. It is also one built from thousands of games watched over the past 20 years. And as […] Read more »
Parent Resources First-Time Travel Soccer Parent Guide: What To Bring To Training July 31, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment Helping Your Player Show Up Prepared, Confident, And Ready To Train Joining a travel soccer team is exciting. It can also feel like a lot at first. New schedule. New coaches. New teammates. New expectations. New gear. New communication systems. New routines. Suddenly, what used to be “grab some cleats and go play” starts to […] Read more »
SPARK Training SPARK #1: Ball Mastery at Home July 20, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment Great players are not built through team training alone. Team practices give players coaching, competition and opportunities to learn alongside their teammates. However, confidence with the ball is also developed through repetition. The more time players spend touching the ball, experimenting with movements and solving small challenges, the more comfortable they become when those same […] Read more »
Soccer Coaching Articles Why Small-Sided Games Should Be One of Every Coach’s Most Valuable Training Tools July 20, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment At Cleveland Futbol Club, we believe every activity in training should accomplish multiple objectives. We don’t want players running laps simply to get tired. We want every minute on the field to develop better soccer players. That’s one of the reasons small-sided games (SSGs) are such an important part of our coaching philosophy. A growing […] Read more »
Soccer Coaching Articles Why Team Still Matters June 24, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment There is something unique about growing up in sports. The practices, the bus rides, the tournaments, the wins, the losses, the friendships, the difficult conversations, the shared goals. Long after the scores are forgotten, those experiences stay with us. For many of us, the most important thing sports gave us wasn’t a trophy or a […] Read more »
SPARK Training Indoor Soccer Training: Simple Ways Players Can Keep Improving at Home June 24, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment Player development doesn’t stop when practice ends. In fact, some of the biggest improvements happen away from the field. Whether it’s winter weather, a busy schedule, or simply a day without team training, players can continue developing technical skills, coordination, and confidence from the comfort of home. The best part? You don’t need a full […] Read more »
SPARK Training Understanding Soccer Positions: A Guide for Developing Players June 24, 2026 by Coach Gary | Leave a Comment One of the most exciting parts of soccer is that every player contributes to the game in a different way. Some players stop goals. Some create chances. Some control possession. Some score goals. While each position has unique responsibilities, every role is connected. Successful teams depend on players understanding not only their own position, but […] Read more »
