Self Directed Soccer Sun, 08 Mar 2026 19:10:14 -0400 http://selfdirectedsoccer.com en-us © 2026 Self Directed Soccer yes ec7eb51e-d408-5efa-9e47-5810f05e2ef5 Mike Cruz episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) youth, soccer, futbol, football, coaching, free, play, autonomy, learning, creativity, enjoyment Mike Cruz https://storage.buzzsprout.com/8l7sk3h9in5cydq346t8xqicz67d?.jpg Self Directed Soccer http://selfdirectedsoccer.com Episode 9 - Father and Son Conversation About Soccer - Rainer Cruz Episode 9 - Father and Son Conversation About Soccer - Rainer Cruz In this episode with have a conversation with my 11 year old son Rainer Cruz. We talk about what he enjoys about soccer, what he doesn't enjoy and some advice he has for coaches. Enjoy!

selfdirectedsoccer.com

]]> In this episode with have a conversation with my 11 year old son Rainer Cruz. We talk about what he enjoys about soccer, what he doesn't enjoy and some advice he has for coaches. Enjoy!

selfdirectedsoccer.com

]]> Mike Cruz Buzzsprout-8548443 Wed, 19 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400 1759 9 full false Episode 8 - David Flores - Coach, Teacher, Author Episode 8 - David Flores - Coach, Teacher, Author You can find more about Coach David Flores and his work at the following links.
browniebooks.com
southcityac.org
soccerlittle.com

In this episode we learn about David's soccer playing and coaching journey, from his love for the game playing street soccer to his college playing days and his current coaching activities. 

David is a coach at South City Athletic Club in Waxahachie, TX which combines ministry and soccer. He is also the author of Soccer Little books that focus on a fun start with soccer and reading. 

Enjoy!

]]> You can find more about Coach David Flores and his work at the following links.
browniebooks.com
southcityac.org
soccerlittle.com

In this episode we learn about David's soccer playing and coaching journey, from his love for the game playing street soccer to his college playing days and his current coaching activities. 

David is a coach at South City Athletic Club in Waxahachie, TX which combines ministry and soccer. He is also the author of Soccer Little books that focus on a fun start with soccer and reading. 

Enjoy!

]]> Mike Cruz Buzzsprout-8499971 Tue, 11 May 2021 10:00:00 -0400 4452 8 full false Episode 7 - Coaching a U7 Game Episode 7 - Coaching a U7 Game 1. Kids want to play!
2. Kids are people not soccer players.
3. Perspective change from winning to enjoyment. 

Check out the blog at www.selfdirectedsoccer.com

]]> 1. Kids want to play!
2. Kids are people not soccer players.
3. Perspective change from winning to enjoyment. 

Check out the blog at www.selfdirectedsoccer.com

]]> Buzzsprout-8456924 Tue, 04 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400 1912 7 full false Episode 6 - Josh Harms - Recreational to Club to College to Coach Episode 6 - Josh Harms - Recreational to Club to College to Coach In this conversation we discuss my friend's soccer journey and how the game has been a consistent and positive influence in his life. Josh and I have been coaching our kids' U13 recreational soccer team for the past 3 years and have similar views on the game where a positive experience is the highest priority. 

]]> In this conversation we discuss my friend's soccer journey and how the game has been a consistent and positive influence in his life. Josh and I have been coaching our kids' U13 recreational soccer team for the past 3 years and have similar views on the game where a positive experience is the highest priority. 

]]> Mike Cruz Buzzsprout-8410671 Tue, 27 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 3623 6 full false Episode 5 - Donny Lutrick - Starting A Soccer Club and Defining What We're Not Episode 5 - Donny Lutrick - Starting A Soccer Club and Defining What We're Not In this episode I speak with Donny Lutrick, a founding member of the South City Athletic Club in Waxahachie, TX. Here are some of the topics that we discuss:

  • Defining what we're not
  • Using a filter to guide our actions
  • Thoughts on competition
  • Purpose of starting SCAC

https://www.southcityac.org

]]> In this episode I speak with Donny Lutrick, a founding member of the South City Athletic Club in Waxahachie, TX. Here are some of the topics that we discuss:

  • Defining what we're not
  • Using a filter to guide our actions
  • Thoughts on competition
  • Purpose of starting SCAC

https://www.southcityac.org

]]> Buzzsprout-8316354 Tue, 20 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 3749 5 full false Episode 4 - Oscar Lewis, Red Oak HS Boys Varsity Head Coach Episode 4 - Oscar Lewis, Red Oak HS Boys Varsity Head Coach In this episode Oscar and I discuss:

  • His youth soccer experience growing up in Germany
  • His coaching development and team training
  • Favorite professional players and teams

Enjoy!

]]> In this episode Oscar and I discuss:

  • His youth soccer experience growing up in Germany
  • His coaching development and team training
  • Favorite professional players and teams

Enjoy!

]]> Buzzsprout-8301239 Tue, 13 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 3358 4 full false Episode 3 - The Soccer Parent Experience Episode 3 - The Soccer Parent Experience My wife Noemi and I share our experience as soccer parents. While there are pitfalls to being a soccer parent it can be a very rewarding experience.

]]> My wife Noemi and I share our experience as soccer parents. While there are pitfalls to being a soccer parent it can be a very rewarding experience.

]]> Buzzsprout-8175885 Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 3299 3 full false Episode 2 - A 12 year old's take on free play Episode 2 - A 12 year old's take on free play We hear from two 12 year old soccer players about their experience with free play - good and bad. 

]]> We hear from two 12 year old soccer players about their experience with free play - good and bad. 

]]> Buzzsprout-8170368 Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400 3230 2 full false Episode 1 - The Free Play Experience Episode 1 - The Free Play Experience In today's episode I am sharing my introduction, observations, experience and results of implementing free play with my recreational soccer team. 

Link to Podcast with Ted Kroeten, Joy of the People
https://scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-55-interview-with-ted-kroeten-an-9cbea49b

joyofthepeople.org

Link to the Book Free to Learn by Peter Gray
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00B3M3KZG&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_AS0X2QNBN12HHWS4AT6D


]]> In today's episode I am sharing my introduction, observations, experience and results of implementing free play with my recreational soccer team. 

Link to Podcast with Ted Kroeten, Joy of the People
https://scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-55-interview-with-ted-kroeten-an-9cbea49b

joyofthepeople.org

Link to the Book Free to Learn by Peter Gray
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00B3M3KZG&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_AS0X2QNBN12HHWS4AT6D


]]> Buzzsprout-8149028 Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400 4183 1 full false