What does free play have to do with performance? Why does deliberate practice often fail to help a child reach their full potential? Let’s find out! Join John and Ted Kroeten, founder of Joy of the People, as they discuss why free play before structure is the best way to help young athletes reach their full potential.    Our guest, Ted Kroeten, leads the way in rethinking and delivering player development always championing kids and possibilities based on his experienced, dedicated, and innovative soccer career. Joy of the People’s mission statement provides a clear idea of what they’re attempting to provide:    To support the idea of play as an important part of a child’s development, to build small soccer spaces for kids to play, to serve disadvantaged youth, and to build community spirit.   Here are some highlights from the Podcast: What happened when free play was introduced into practice? How does the now defunct idea of "10.000 hours” play into free play and increasing performance? The younger teams get beat in competition, but how does it work out when they get older? There is a time for structure, when is that time? What is going on with the athlete that did not grow up in the academy setting but blows away those who grew up in the deliberate practice environement? How can you add free play into your performance development practice plan? What are “kid micro-clubs"?   Connect with Ted Kroeten Website:  www.joyofthepeople.org Email: Ted@joyofthepeople.org Twitter: @JOYofthePEOPLE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-kroeten-3114a27/   Resources Mentioned  Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, by David Epstein [book] The debate between Epstein and Gladwell [video] Explorations in Language Acquisition and Use, by Stephen Krashen [book]  How to Become a Transformational Coach with Jean Cote, World-Renowned Expert in Youth Sports and Coach Development [podcast]   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   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