Dynamo | Dash Youth Members,

The Houston Dynamo have entered into a groundbreaking partnership with world-renowned youth soccer educator Tom Byer to expand his Soccer Starts at Home program throughout the Houston area, Byer and the club announced today.

Soccer Starts at Home is an innovative approach to youth development, geared at children age 2-6 that has a proven track record of success in terms of developing both soccer-specific skills and general motor skills and coordination. Byer’s approach focuses on putting a miniature soccer ball at a toddler’s feet from the time he or she can walk; but rather than teaching children to kick the ball away from themselves, the focus is on pulling it closer and retaining control of the ball. 

Soccer Starts at Home shares the message of the positive effects of early engagement of the parent with their son or daughter and how this helps improve the soccer at entry level and then the competitive and elite levels.

We would love for you to join us at an exclusive invitation-only Ignition Presentation on Tuesday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium in which he will explain the concept of Soccer Starts at Home in more detail and show how you can use this program in your own organization as well as at home. To register for this free event, simply CLICK HERE.

The Dynamo are the first club in Major League Soccer to partner with Byer in order to launch the program throughout its market. Byer will visit the Houston area in late January to conduct a series of seminars, clinics and presentations to parents and teachers throughout the community.

 The Tokyo-based Byer, a lifelong youth soccer coach and former professional, realized the value of the teaching method as he raised his own sons. The results have been proven not only with his children (now ages 10 and 13) but with kids throughout Japan, leading Byer to be profiled on HBO’s Real Sports and in the pages of Sports Illustrated and to the national federations from Japan, China and other countries reaching out to him to learn how to implement the program.

 “I think what’s happened is soccer hasn’t caught up with what science really knows,” Byer told Sports Illustrated. “Kids can start acquiring technical skills from a much earlier age. That’s usually not going to happen unless there’s an engagement by parents.”

Although Soccer Starts at Home is geared toward early childhood development, Byer is a globally recognized technical coach who has individually trained players at the highest levels of the sport. Among the players who have credited Byer’s techniques and training with their own professional development are Japanese star Shinji Kagawa, who plays for German superclub Borussia Dortmund, and Aya Miyami, who captained the Japanese women to the 2011 Women’s World Cup title.

From established world-class stars of today to developing the future stars of tomorrow, it all begins with learning to be comfortable with the ball at your foot. So join us on Tuesday, January 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium as we learn together about how we can elevate the level of play here in our home town by teaching our kids simple skills in our own homes!  

Soccer Starts at Home: Ignition Presentation: Tuesday, Jan. 29th (BBVA Stadium)

Soccer Starts at Home shares the message of the positive effects of early engagement of the parent with their son or daughter and how this helps improve the soccer at entry level and then the competitive and elite levels.

We would love for you to join us at an exclusive invitation-only Ignition Presentation on Tuesday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium in which he will explain the concept of Soccer Starts at Home in more detail and show how you can use this program in your own organization as well as at home. Soccer leaders,  coaches, educators and parents of young kids are encouraged to attend. To register for this free event, simply CLICK HERE.

Soccer Starts at Home: Parent Presentation: Thursday, Jan. 31st 

Date: Thursday, January 31st
Location: Athlete Training+ Health  at Houston Sports Park
(12211 Kirby, Houston, TX. 77045)
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
To register for this free event, simply CLICK HERE.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Don Gemmell

Technical Director