I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, what is today a large grassy park in the heart of central Cambridge. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 2, which states: At the commencement of the play, the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground: after

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, what is today a large grassy park in the heart of central Cambridge. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 1, which states: This club shall be called the University Foot Ball Club. Why take up a whole rule to name the

My interview with Chattanooga FC Head Coach Rod Underwood comes to a close today in part 4 of 4. Today, we get to hear Rod sharing about his personal life mission statement and how that impacts the decisions he makes — as husband, father, coach, and man. Rod shares about how his life was impacted after coaching with the Cleveland City Stars and how that led him to craft and develop a mission statement that has helped guide him as coach ever since. In addition, today, Rod plays "Crosses with Rev" on the From the Touchline podcast, as we find a fun way to wrap up the interview series. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev

As Head Coach of Chattanooga FC (NISA), Rod Underwood, has had quite a journey in coming to lead the team this past year. Last week's podcast we learned about some of the ups and downs of being in football, including being out of the professional coaching side of the game from few years and really searching for that next opportunity. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, in part three of our four part series, Rod shares about the culmination of his playing and coaching and how that comes to bear on the locker room that he currently leads with CFC. More than just formation and tactics, Rod is concerned with building and shaping culture — and

Rod Underwood, former professional soccer player and current head coach of Chattanooga FC (NISA) joins the podcast today to share more about his life in soccer and his development as a coach for the beautiful game. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, in part two of a four part series, Rod shares about his transition from being a professional player to becoming coach. He shares about the major influencers and friendships he has developed in the coaching ranks and his particular philosophy and style which he has adopted tactically, as coach. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to