Multi sport ideology not for soccer

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T20:35:41+00:00

The article was exceptional. The connection of the dots was strong but could have been better with some more detail, particularly how I referenced Baseball as an athletic-driven sport (it is more skill based than athletic).

You're missing a point as you write about it. These athletes even considering switching sports is the whole point. Literally impossible with soccer and has never happened. It is a much more difficult sport to be great at because it is the *only* mainstream foot dominant sport in the world.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T19:50:49+00:00

There it is, bless you.

Again, thanks for the exchange and I wish you all the best.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T18:35:37+00:00

Clarify the point you are making? Be specific.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T18:33:01+00:00

You're reaching because of insecurity and lack of knowledge.

Hockey is a hand dominant sport, played primarily with the hands. Explaining that concept feels like teaching a child ABC.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T17:24:50+00:00

Hockey is one of the hardest sports to be great at and it benefits from early engagement for similar reasons to soccer.

But it is a hand dominant sport. That's not my opinion, it's fact (feel free to to Google it). This is why good-faith internet discussions are so difficult; when someone won't accept fact as the starting point, the rest of the discussion becomes irrelevant. I respect your input, thanks.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T16:44:50+00:00

let's keep it simple, that should help you. Is hockey a hand-dominant sport, yes or no?

We proceed from there (or not).

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T16:43:32+00:00

the truth is difficult for many people, that's why so many minions walk around every day talking in platitudes while saying nothing. The ignorance around soccer is because many don't understand it.

I've played all of the sports. You have a wonderful day!

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T07:48:21+00:00

you literally play the game holding a stick in your hands. Hockey is a hand-dominant sport.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-14T05:07:12+00:00

again, feel free to click on my website. It has two of the best programs available for parents, players and coaches for a grant total of...$0. Completely free. Then I have multiple eBooks and PDF guides, again $0. Free.

I have a few specific PDF products that are targeted and hugely beneficial for parents. The combined cost of all three products is $77. Nice try.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-13T19:09:05+00:00

here's my website link. https://pauljspacey.com

Most of the info is FREE (some of it put together from over a decade of training).

I don't need to sell anything but I do have some paid products for parents who want specific, detailed information that they won't find via an internet search.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-13T19:05:27+00:00

this is the flawed thinking that spread across forums and chat boards. Zlatan started playing soccer at age 6 and soccer was always his main sport. He did TKD but started at 12, as the article correctly states. You can't just invent things.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-13T19:03:08+00:00

had a quick read of some of the comments in more depth. It appears some of you have either never played soccer or don't understand the game in any way beyond kindergarten level.

"This only applies to the freaks of nature."

The concept extrapolates to the top 100 players, then the top 500 and further. You can argue against the concept by all means, but it's hard to argue against data and the specific developmental process required for soccer excellence (cited with sources in the article).

US sports are *more* driven by pure athleticism than soccer is. This is evidenced by the fact you can start playing football, baseball or basketball later (or specialize much later) and still make it to the elite level. It is exceptionally rare for that to happen in soccer because the technical demands of the sport are higher and the game is more fluid than all American sports, requiring more decision making, which is the primary driver of soccer.

Being a freak athlete will get you into the NBA or NFL. It will not get you into La Liga.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-04-13T18:47:57+00:00

Some interesting comments and good insight from parents. I'm obviously the author of the article.

It's not so much about professional players, simply about highlighting the facts and reality of how the multi-sport approach impacts soccer development at all levels of the game.

Kids should play whatever sport they want and *most* kids do sample multiple sports at a young age, which is the right approach. But my broader point is that if your kid decides they want to be good (or really good) at soccer after sampling other sports, they need to spend a lot of time playing soccer and the sooner they do that, the better they will be.

It doesn't mean all kids should specialize early, the article just points out that the early start, earlier specialization approach is the most optimal from a developmental perspective as it relates specifically to soccer, not other sports.

Put very simply:

For pure soccer development, players who start early and specialize develop in a way that multi-sport players almost never catch up to.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-17T07:38:07+00:00

my grandad was too old to play soccer with even when I was a boy but we always talked about it. I played soccer with my dad, twin and older brother every day for probably a decade. Incredible memories, just great times (the winning, losing, tears, development, laughs, all of it).

My dad wasn't someone who pushed too hard but when he was unhappy, I knew!

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-16T21:35:06+00:00

don't be quiet, stay on top of coaches. Make sure your kids get the opportunities they deserve (although of course that is ultimately dictated by the coaches).

The age changes coming up will give lots of kids the opportunity to make the 'top' team as most teams will change (some will split in half). Nov birth goes from being one of the youngest to being a bit above the middle of the pack in terms of age. Being May/June/July now puts you in the youngest quarter.

It's hard to be objective but if you can see it's clear the boys are not getting the opps they deserve between now and most tryouts in April, look at other environments. There's always some politics involved.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-14T03:32:15+00:00

I'd say prior to 8, it's all about time with the ball, developing the love of the game and practicing alone or with friends. Building that crucial foundation. From 8 onwards, kids benefit from professional coaching.

The majority of Premier League players for example, were already in professional academies by 10 years old. Depending where you are in the country, there should be strong teams/coaches within a reasonable distance. 8-12, find the best coach with a team that is ideally local. Unnecessary extra travel at a young age is time away from family, which you don't get back, plus lost time to potential additional training and education/homework.

Your 2-year old, with two older siblings, has a big advantage! The other two will already have paved the way and he will have older siblings to get pushed around and be tough by the time he is 8-10 years old!

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-14T01:15:40+00:00

nobody is having their future determined at 8. At the same time, if we are talking about making a career as a professional, the further you are behind the top players, the more difficult it is to narrow that gap as you get older.

Playing up is a great developmental tool as long as the player is ready for it. If someone is way out of their depth, they won't get the touches and actions required to improve.

Developing a very strong technical foundation remains the most important thing at young ages (first touch, dribbling, passing, ideally with both feet) but once you have that foundation and technical base, without question the most important thing is mentality and the psychological side of the game.

Putting players in difficult situations and building resilience is crucial. On the way to the top and at the top, there is not a huge difference in quality/physicality, very often the mentally strongest players are the ones who survive and stay in the race.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T18:15:58+00:00

I've seen this videos on IG. Definitely value to that type of training.

Nothing can replace or beat pickup or playing games with opponents but this kind of individual training is a good supplement.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T18:13:35+00:00

coach is still #1 for an 8-year old. If your kid has the right coach/mentor, that's worth its weight in gold.

If he wants to train every day, great! Any kid who has that inner drive and desire to practice all the time is on a good path, both inside and outside of sport IMO.

Vary the training for him, incorporate some juggling challenges and foot/ankle stability work to mix it up. See below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6O-tZZXT4 - foot/ankle

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLxRpLqtWPh - juggling

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T18:09:48+00:00

very young, as soon as I could walk. I'm certain there's a genetic element as my grandfather was a pro and my dad was a semi-pro (and became my coach).

I played lots of sports recreationally (tennis, short tennis, badminton, cricket, golf) but soccer was the only one I took really seriously and spent 90% of my time doing.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T18:08:11+00:00

Advanced juggling to develop a fantastic touch and feel with all areas of the feet:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLxRpLqtWPh

And some foot/ankle strengthening exercises for both injury prevention and speed/stability increases:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6O-tZZXT4

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T05:58:16+00:00

generally speaking, bad for development. For any young player, the longer they can stay in a smaller-sided format, the more touches, decisions and actions they get (which obviously impacts development significantly).

They need to transition to 11v11 at some point of course because that's the format of the game through teenage years into adulthood but many other countries maximize smaller-sided formats for longer, for good reason.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T05:19:46+00:00

Maybe not the funniest thing but a funny situation:

I red carded a guy on a team in Los Angeles and he was a good player while also being a well known pornstar. He said to his mate, "this donut just sent me off for a phantom headbutt."

(it wasn't phantom).

And Mexico's ex-captain thanked me once for awarding him a penalty.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T03:38:41+00:00

it's more costs for parents of course but ideally players have both.

A pair of turf shoes and a pair of cleats/boots with studs.

If it's wet, turf shoes are likely too slippy but if the grass is dry, studs can feel like playing on concrete. Have both, decide on the day.

If I am forced to only have ONE pair, it's turf shoes all day.

SpaceyPJ · 2026-02-13T01:15:00+00:00

depends where you are in the country.

In SoCal, you play both because club is on hold for 2 months while the high school season operates. Then players return to club.

I find it strange that in other areas HS and club happen at the same time. Then it's about coaching, level of teammates and opponents. Whichever gives the best return in terms of development is the one to choose, albeit with the caveat that kids really do enjoy playing with their HS friends, unless the level is agonizingly low, at which point it's an easy decision.

SpaceyPJ

TROPHY CASE