It is not often that we come across a story that drives us back into the history books and then shoots us back into the present where we find ourselves wondering about the future to come. On my quest to find the newest soccer products on the market, I stumbled upon not only one of the most innovative products out there, I’ve uncovered a story that gives meaning, hope, purpose and inspiration to the product we see today.
Since the time when soccer became an ‘organized’ sport, there has been a race to gain the ultimate edge in raising the level of play and the level of development. In this day in age, with the serge in technology and the accumulation of experience and knowledge, there has been many advances to soccer’s technical, tactical, methodological approach. We see many products and services that look to progress players, parents and coaches, but we seldom see such products face the test of time, be so deeply rooted in America’s soccer history and reveal itself as an effective and efficient development tool for today’s game. I am proud to be able to share a unique soccer story that sheds light on the persistence in ideas and commitment to development in Soccer Pirr’s first “Behind the Product” Soccer Exclusive: The Soccer Mule.
What Is “The Mule”?
“The Mule” is a “Soccer Ball Launcher” (a soccer machine). The entire Soccer Mule System includes: “The Mule“, used for consistent and accurate ball delivery; “The Mule Wall” used for scoring practice and also for Goalkeeper training; and “The Mihaljevic European Training Method”, a complete technical development training approach.
Mule Soccer, LLC, is a family owned company founded for the purpose of developing greater technique, skill and ability at a rapid rate in soccer players at all levels: beginner through professional level. The story of “The Mule” actually started back in the 1960’s when George Mihaljevic had the concept of building a soccer machine. George was a machinist by trade. He was a 1st Division professional player in Europe before becoming a professional coach for the St. Louis Stars here in the United States. He studied soccer under the famous Dragan Filipovic “Scoba” (Youth developmental Coach for the National Team of Yugoslavia) and Hennes Weisweiler (Professor of soccer, Koln Sporthochschule, Cologne, Germany). George started in youth development by opening the first soccer school in the United States in March 1968. From the Mihaljevic Soccer School he formed the Missouri Mules Soccer Club. The Missouri Mules were undefeated in all contests here in the United States, Canada, and Europe. His coaching success gave birth to trusted training method and the name of his first soccer invention soon stuck: The Soccer Mule.
It was George’s firm belief that through repetitive and accurate ball delivery, he could perfect a young player’s technique and master control of the ball, especially out of the air. With his machinist background and soccer knowledge, George made the first Mule prototype. Due to limited resources, he was not able to complete his soccer machine at that time, and the futuristic design laid dormant for years to come.
“It just takes an open-minded coach who is willing to put the time in, and allow the players to develop their skills.”
In 2008, George’s two youngest sons, Shane and George, were coaches for the young “Scott Gallagher Soccer Team” on which Shane’s son, Nick played. It was during this time that the Mule was “brought back to life”. The brothers soon saw how imperative it was for players to progress in individual technique. Due to the limited skill development of their youth players, they knew they need to reintroduce this kind of training device to see the practice benefits needed to play the game at the highest level. From then on, the brothers, decided to invest their time in pursuing their Dad’s dream of building a soccer machine to improve each player’s development. With Shane spearheading the project, the two brothers designed, researched and created the present-day Mule machine.
I asked Shane Mihaljevic what he thought about the product’s legacy and its future for developing players, his response: “For the first time in the game of soccer, we are able to tap into isolation training which ingrains muscle memory. With this type of training a player can perfect all the technical movements in an unbelievably short time. Our Dad always said if he could have the ball delivered accurately every time, he could make a pro player in 6 months. It just takes an open-minded coach who is willing to put the time in, and allow the players to develop their skills. I now believe using the Mule along with our European Training Method will change the face of soccer development, not only in the United States, but around the entire world.”
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For more Information on the Soccer Mule Visit MuleSoccer.com
To See the Soccer Mule in Action Click HERE.
Mule Action Highlights from Mule Soccer on Vimeo.
What do you think of the Mule Soccer
[…] the face of soccer development, not only in the United States, but around the entire world,” said Shane Mihaljevic, the son of George Mihaljevic, who developed the original concept for the […]