2024 Paris Olympics

[21Jumpstreet]

A few years ago, we spent spring break in a cold London, staying in a north side neighborhood. Walked to the tube on a very crowded sidewalk. A kid was easily threading through the crowd dribbling a soccer ball. It seemed he was doing it just to pass time.
I equate our soccer program to the suburban city league youth basketball leagues that taught very structured offense and defense. Our soccer kids don't just play free flowing pick up soccer like they do basketball.
- signed a guy who knows very little about soccer.

This is a great observation. Over the years in youth coaching, we were instructed to play "street soccer" to begin training. No coaching, no feedback, no "structure" just go play. Free flow, take risks, have fun, get touches. As my older son got older, he was instructed to get 10,000 touches a week in outside training through specific skills, wall work, or just weaving through people as you mentioned.

It all helps, but I think the bigger issue is the pay to play. If I had unlimited money (besides buying a home in Seville or Chania - for the retirement living thread) I would have a program that was free for players who we specifically identify as potential national level talent. I would also work to identify the younger players in a birth year who may be at a disadvantage but show that by the time they are late teens that they will be good players. My son played on a Midwest team when he was 13, they went to IMG, and their first game was against Vasco de Gama (they also played against Juventus). These Brazilian youth players live together, train together, all soccer all the time. It's not for every kid, but if could be for a pool of 50.

[MU82]

Wow - it was like the woman who anchored The Netherlands' mixed 4x400 relay team was shot out of a cannon down the stretch. What a race she ran. The US team ran the 3rd-fastest time ever ... but couldn't win the gold.

[CreightonWarrior]

Wow - it was like the woman who anchored The Netherlands' mixed 4x400 relay team was shot out of a cannon down the stretch. What a race she ran. The US team ran the 3rd-fastest time ever ... but couldn't win the gold.

Even though she overcame the Americans, that last 200m by Bol was incredible.

[CreightonWarrior]

Track team picking up where swimming left off

[lawdog77]

Wow - it was like the woman who anchored The Netherlands' mixed 4x400 relay team was shot out of a cannon down the stretch. What a race she ran. The US team ran the 3rd-fastest time ever ... but couldn't win the gold.

Not quite sure how they pick the mixed team. Those aren't our best

[The Sultan]

Not quite sure how they pick the mixed team. Those aren't our best

They set a world record yesterday

[lawdog77]

They set a world record yesterday

So? Still not our best men's or women's 400M runners

[Pakuni]

So? Still not our best men's or women's 400M runners

Probably because the best are running in the individual and men's/women's events.

[lawdog77]

Probably because the best are running in the individual and men's/women's events.

femke bol did it. Shamier Little was 8th at trials

[Pakuni]

femke bol did it. Shamier Little was 8th at trials

Someone should be fired,  I guess.

[lawdog77]

Someone should be fired,  I guess.

Or, if you are going to defend the decision to run those 4 out there,have a good reason.

[Pakuni]

Or, if you are going to defend the decision to run those 4 out there,have a good reason.

I offered you a reason. Not my problem if you don't like it.
What a weird thing to get upset about.

[lawdog77]

I offered you a reason. Not my problem if you don't like it.
What a weird thing to get upset about.

Not upset. Not sure why you're trying to defend it. We should present our best team.

[Pakuni]

Not upset. Not sure why you're trying to defend it. We should present our best team.

Ask to speak with a manager.

https://www.usatf.org/contact-us

[lawdog77]

Ask to speak with a manager.

https://www.usatf.org/contact-us

snarky comments are usually made.by those on the losing side of an argument. Typical you

[Pakuni]

snarky comments are usually made.by those on the losing side of an argument. Typical you

This isn't an argument.

[forgetful]

Not upset. Not sure why you're trying to defend it. We should present our best team.

The USATF coaches decided this was our best team to have the most overall success. What you fail to take into consideration for some reason, is 1 event is not the entirety of the team.

I would have thought most understood that.

[warriorchick]

Guys, help me out here...

Is this the best way or the worst way to get eliminated in the pole vaulting competition?

https://x.com/MattHighton/status/1819817930047062408?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[jficke13]

Guys, help me out here...

Is this the best way or the worst way to get eliminated in the pole vaulting competition?

https://x.com/MattHighton/status/1819817930047062408?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Cons - loss, probably in a physically painful way.
Pros - Explanation for *why* you lost probably... useful... in the olympic village.

So you know... good with the bad?

[pbiflyer]

This isn't an argument.

Yes it is.

https://youtu.be/ohDB5gbtaEQ?si=MJX8Uopvu8L9Ebue

[MU82]

It was cool that Trinity Rodman scored to give Team USA the win, but celebrating by shoving Scottie Pippen Jr. into the goal post was over the top.

[MuggsyB]

The Djoker looks very determined today.  But he's facing a badass.  We'll see what happens. 

[MuggsyB]

Alcaraz with 8 unforced errors early.  He needs to settle down a bit.  Djoker in backboard mode. 

[MuggsyB]

Incredible ninth gane of the 1st set.  14 mins, Djoker finds a way to hold.  Alcaraz is 0-8 on break point chances. 

[MuggsyB]

Heck of a tiebreaker by the Djoker.  Alcaraz just didn't take advantage of his break point chances.