Our guest this week is Erik Imler. Imler, a UVA graduate, was a NCAA National Champion in 1989, 1991 and 1992 and went on to be a member of the 1992 Olympic Team and represented the United States as a player and then as a coach.   As a Youth Academy Director and passionate blogger who is dissatisfied with the status quo of youth soccer development in the United States, Erik is on a mission to support the positive change that must be experienced in youth development. Erik is in constant search for intelligent and thought provoking soccer conversation and is determined to make a difference in the youth club soccer landscape.   His youth programs address the most prominent technical deficiencies in many youth players – passing and receiving – while simultaneously creating a thirst for skill mastery and love of the game among the players.   Check out Erik's soccer BLOG – Can't Pass, Can't Play as he attempts to educate parents on what really matters.   Highlights from the Podcast: Min 03: Getting to know Eric Imler Min 06: The early days of playing professional soccer Min 13: Organizing your coaching library…then thinning it out Min 16: Choosing to work with the younger athletes Min 23: Erik goes to Spain and attends the TOVO academy Min 29: Skill acquisition and motor learning Min 33: Designing coaching on how children learn  Min 44: The Coaching Philosophy - Defining your why and how of coaching  Min 49: Organizing practice depending on age and numbers Min 55: Redefining the expectations of what the players do on the field  Min 1:04 Leaving a legacy as a coach   Resources Mentioned  Can’t Pass Can’t Play [BLOG]  Continuing the Legacy of Johan Cruyff with TOVO Academy and Cruyff Institute Founder, Todd Beane [PODCAST] I Once Was Blind… (BLOG)   Connect with Erik Imler Website: cantpasscantplay.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikimler   Announcements for Changing The Game Project:   CONFERENCE Way of Champions Conference will be in Denver, CO on August 2-4. Visit https://changingthegameproject.com/wocconference for more information!    SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses.   We are now offering you the ability to contribute as a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions)for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will have access to never before released and bonus material, including: Downloadable transcripts of the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes! A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.  Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences. Thank you for all your support these past two years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions   Visit us on: Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/ iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast