Doug Lemov's field notes

Reflections on teaching, literacy, coaching, and practice.

05.21.15 US Soccer sets out to Control for ‘Relative Age’ in Identifying Players

Several years ago I got to watch U.S. Soccer Director of Scouting Tony Lepore run a training and identification session for promising U14 boys near Boston.  The session was impeccably well-designed, and I have often reflected on how much I learned.  At the end of the session, though, the boys were scrimmaging and Tony graciously spent…


02.15.13 Annals of Coaching: Tony Lepore and World Class Preparation for Practice

Working on a fascinating article this week.  I’m watching some of the best youth soccer coaches in the country and “Teach Like a Champion”-ing them.  That is, trying to describe what they do that makes them so exceptional so that others may copy.   A few weeks ago I watched an amazing practice run by Tony…