Soccer is at its very best when full advantage is taken by the players and coaches of all the social opportunities it presents.  Therefore, the LMSC philosophy for what a competitive youth soccer club should provide its players is as a follows:  A program that fosters the highest level of technical skill, the utmost heart and creativity, and an insight for the game that results in collective, tactical play that achieves the game’s objectives. 

LMSC promotes a style of play in which the average player, by learning good technical skills, is not precluded from succeeding because he/she does not possess outstanding, natural athletic ability.  The program teaches that the best way to learn soccer is for players to coordinate their talents in collective team play, rather than relying on one or two players to carry the various phases of the game.

Possession Soccer

The style of play that best achieves these objectives is Possession Soccer.  Possession soccer is based on “building the ball forward” indirectly and then deliberately to craft final attacks using a wide range of tactics.  It is not based on the expediency and opportunism of kicking the ball far up field and hoping for defensive mistakes as its only means of attack.  In Possession Soccer, the ball is circulated among teammates using quick, short to medium length passes to move the ball and players into free space in a way that breaks down the opponent’s defense and advances the ball deep into the attacking third of the field.

Possession Soccer has the following benefits: it is adaptable and effective against a wide range of offensive and defensive opposition; it requires all players to cooperate and participate on defense and offense;  it allows the continued development of all players as they progress through the different age groups; it is attack minded, fun and challenging to play, and attractive and entertaining to watch.

Character Development

Since Possession Soccer requires players to develop good communication, technical skills and insight for both individual opportunity and collective play, it takes patience and hard work over a longer period of time.  In the younger years, the emphasis is on teaching the players to learn the foundational skills necessary to effectively implement this style of soccer.  Success is measured by how players and teams are progressing in their ability to have increasingly longer periods of uninterrupted possession of the ball, not by “wins and losses”.  By focusing first on learning and persistence, and only later on results, LMSC is preparing players for all types of challenges, both on and off the playing field.

In the years before middle school, opponents using a “long ball” style of play may “win” more games because they score more goals.  However, long ball style teams peak early then fade out of contention.  As LMSC players advance in age and learn to excel in their play of Possession Soccer, LMSC teams achieve championship results, both locally and statewide, on par with clubs boasting thousands more players in their programs.  The players’ sense of accomplishment and maturity from their commitment to working hard over an extended period to achieve mastery of skills and winning results is part of the unique Character Development LMSC provides.  LMSC players develop the types of life skills and mindset that yield success and good character in both high school and college soccer, and beyond.