Author: Charles Richard Cotton


charles Cotton Charles Richard Cotton is an internationally licensed expert specializing in teaching kids 7-17 how to unleash their own Soccer Genius - for on and off field success. He has over 30 years experience playing, coaching, and leading soccer communities. His accelerated training methods and unique soccer "Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit" approach help players and coaches achieve their highest levels of play and personal development. Charles lives in Calgary, Canada with his 3 beautiful daughters.

The Soccer Genius Blog

A Source for Long Term Player Development


 

Grow Your Inner Wisdom: A Genius Success Habit

November 3, 2010

Like many things in our world, wisdom has become a commodity that can be packaged, purchased or  downloaded. Bookstores have shelves lined with current, ancient and future focused words of wisdom. We can take retreats, attend workshops and become students of wisdom teachers. We can even join groups that declare their wisdom is 'better' than any 'other' wisdom.

None of this is either bad or good. It's really a sign of the times we live in. People are searching for answers to a wide range of life's questions - some more challenging than others.

What tends to happen, however, is that we spend a lot more time focusing on getting wisdom outside of ourselves than we do growing it within ourselves. (What I call the difference between the 'outself' wisdom and the 'inself' wisdom.)

All of the outside sources are really meant to help lead us to our own inner pot of wisdom. They can do this by sparking a greater depth of awareness through our own experiences, words and perceptions.

And this awareness can all start with a simple series of questions the next time we are presented with 'outself' wisdom:

  • Is this true? (beyond a shadow of a doubt?)
  • Is this true for me?

These two questions may just be 'true' for you.

Test it out for yourself. If you find it works, then keep on testing it on all the 'outself' sources of wisdom in your life.

It's a genius success habit worth committing to.

 

Genius Tech Tips: Outstep Flick Kick

November 3, 2010

Each week in this section I include a detailed description of a specific technical skill or ability. This information is offered to help you achieve technical mastery through perfect practice. After all, if you're going to practice you might as well do it perfectly!


 Outstep Flick Kick 


 The Outstep is the surface of the foot along the two outside toes toward and including the middle outside of the foot toward the ankle. Kicking here can create great out-turning spin on the ball. We c...

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Recommended Media: Street Skills

November 3, 2010
Here's one of my all-time favourite YouTube videos. I send it out to all my Soccer Genius students and include it in the second level of my HomeSkills Magic series. It's of a young teenage girl sharing her amazing juggling talents. I know you'll love it!

(the music is good - turn it up ;)

 

 

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Take the Fear Out of Playing - A Long-Term Success Strategy

November 3, 2010
Fear is a funny thing. In days gone by, we relied on fear simply to survive. It helped us avoid being the delicious meal of some hungry animal. Things have changed and we no longer have as many constant threats to our immediate survival. Yet the fear 'instincts' still linger. As coaches and parents we must do our very best to minimize triggering the fear-based instincts in players.

When children learn their soccer in an environment that attempts to minimize risk, avoid mistakes and voc...

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Quote of the Week

November 3, 2010
“Children rarely flourish under the constant fear of failure. Rather they excel in an environment that celebrates and encourages their every step, including both successes and failures." d

Charles Cotton

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Recommended Media: Amazing Football Comeback!

August 29, 2010
A different type of 'football' inspires this weeks media recommendation - American football. This video highlights one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport. The humour and unbelievable outcome capture the genius "NEVER QUIT" spirit brilliantly. 

Enjoy! 






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Recommended Media - Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior - Phil Jackson

August 29, 2010
Phil Jackson is one of the greatest team builders and player managers in the history of sport. He holds several coaching records in the NBA. His writings are inspiring and part of my required reading list for aspiring Soccer Genius coaches. Learn from a Master. Read Phil's book. 



Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior - Phil Jackson
 
  

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Recommended Media: Vision of a Champion

August 29, 2010
Anson Dorrance is arguably the most successful soccer coach in history. Period! His book, Vision of a Champion, is a must read for coaches, parents and later-stage developing players. Anson is one of the early Soccer Genius pioneers and I highly recommend his book. 




   





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Recommended Media: Ronaldhino's Top 10 Goals

August 29, 2010
This week's recommendation is an amazing video compilation of goals from one of the world's all-time great Soccer Geniuses - Ronaldhino. Simply enjoy the brilliance and then spend time visualizing  (imagining on purpose in your mind's eye) yourself doing these very same skills. It's a success habit of all developing Soccer Geniuses. 

Enjoy the magic!



 Ronaldhino's Top 10 Goals 

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Recommended Media: Winners Never Cheat

August 29, 2010
Today's recommendation is written more for a business audience, however, the lessons and values are immediately and universally applicable to sports. Jon Huntsman is definitely a Soccer Genius in the making! 



 Winners Never Cheat - Even in Difficult Times 

by Jon M. Huntsman 

   

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