Watch as Coach Alan Yost explains, and players demonstrate the Dutch Passing Pattern exercise. This is a competitive drill with each group competing with the others. The emphasis is on passing, receiving, and touch skills. […]
6v3 Rondo to Goals with Marcus DiBernardo – Monroe Univ. New Rochelle
Watch as Coach Marcus DiBernardo explains and shows practice video of the 6v3 Rondo to Goals exercise. The three blue defenders will pressure the red team who must then connect four passes before they can […]
9-Ball Attacking Game with Tony Bowles – Rockwall High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Tony Bowles explains and shows practice video of the 9-Ball Attacking Game. The drill’s grid is the 18, where the players have 9 soccer balls: 3 in each corner and 3 at […]
The Nordic Game with Derek Pittman – Univ. of Texas at San Antonio
Watch as Coach Derek Pittman explains the Nordic Game using diagrams and practice video clips. This fast-paced, 9v9 exercise is the last thing the team does the day before a game. The emphasis is on […]
Tips for Helping Your Athletes Unwind Using Their Comfort Zone (Phones) with Kim Karr – Digital4Good
Watch as Kim Karr discusses tips that administrators and coaches can use to help athletes unwind using their comfort zone (phones). Communication and conversations about an athlete’s phone can impact their mood and stress level. […]
Coaching Yourself: Controlling Your Anger
By: Rainer Martens and Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Provided by: Human Kinetics The very nature of sport—the potential for injustice and for physical and mental injury—increases the likelihood of coaches experiencing […]
4v2 Keep Away Activity with Ian Barker – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach Ian Barker explains, and players demonstrate this 4v2 keep away activity. Four players line up on the outside of the grid with 2 defenders in the middle. The offensive players have unlimited […]
4-Goal Game Series with Vince Ganzberg – US Club Soccer
Watch as Coach Vince Ganzberg discusses this 4-goal game series that he uses in practice. The series consists of three separate games with different objectives and player responsibilities. In Game #1, the small goals are […]
Three Impactful Ways to Help Athletes Build Mental Strength Right Now
By: Julie Hatfield-Still Athletics are about more than just winning games or improving physical skills, it’s also a critical time for building the mental strength athletes need to succeed in sports and life. As a […]
8v2 to Goals Rondo with Marcus DiBernardo – Monroe Univ. New Rochelle
Watch as Coach Marcus DiBernardo explains and shows practice video of this 8v2 to Goals Rondo. The team with eight players can only use one touch and they can score at either goal. It is […]
Educating Athletes That Social Media Is Their Life Resume with Kim Karr – ICANHELP
Watch as Kim Karr emphasizes the importance in communicating with your athletes and parents that their posts on social media represent their life resume. Colleges and athletic departments are checking potential recruits’ and applicants’ social […]
Two-Player Overlapping Finishing Drill with Jay Hoffman – Centre College
Watch as Coach Jay Hoffman explains, and players demonstrate this two-player overlapping finishing drill. Two players will face each other, passing the ball back and forth. One player will hit the forward on an angle […]
Leaders Must be Great Communicators with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Watch as Robert Grasso explains his philosophy of leadership on how athletes must be great communicators. They must be able to communicate with teammates as well as the coaches. He stresses that team leaders should […]
Student-Athletes and the Media
By: Carolyn Peck Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics Inviting the media into your sports program means they have access to the student-athletes. I highly recommend, before you allow media […]
Transition the Game with Alexi Upton – Sulphur Springs High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Alexi Upton explains and shows practice video of this “Transition the Game” activity. This activity focuses on building the complete, whole player and emphasizing playing fast and making quick decisions. This activity […]
Minimizing Your Athletes’ Anxiety with Robert Schinke – Laurentian Univ.
Watch as Robert Schinke discusses minimizing your athletes’ anxiety. Lack of confidence is the main cause of anxiety for athletes as an upcoming event nears. Focusing on previous negative performances instead of their positive performances […]
Leading Others
By: Jamy Bechler Originally Published in: THE LEADERSHIP PLAYBOOK It is not just enough to lead yourself effectively, you must also have a positive influence on others, John C. Maxwell says, “A leader without a […]
Cross Step and Sprint with Alan Yost – Kings Hammer FC
Watch as Coach Alan Yost explains, and players demonstrate this defensive cross step drill. The defensive player must cross step and sprint to a cover position and drop step. It is important to keep your […]
How to Build Integrity with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Watch as Stephen Mackey explains how to build integrity in athletes through sports. He discusses three exercises that can build integrity muscle: tell the truth, make commitments count, and take 100% responsibility for your actions. […]
Social Media: Always Post About the Team with Garry Rosenfield – Coaches Inc.
Watch as Garry Rosenfield explains that when posting, promoting your program will never get you into trouble. It makes sense to promote your athletes and all the positives about your program and also to let […]
Pre-Practice and Post-Practice Suggestions with Vince Ganzberg – US Club Soccer
Watch as Coach Vince Ganzberg discusses pre-practice and post-practice plans. He suggests handing out or posting daily practice plans to players and giving them time to look it over. Always use positive and welcoming language […]
What Gets Rewarded, Gets Repeated with Heath Eslinger – A Better Way Athletics
Watch as Coach Heath Eslinger explains that “what gets rewarded, gets repeated”. If celebration is only based on playing time and performance, you are missing an opportunity to help your players get better. Look for […]
Holistic Coaching for the Benefit of All Players
Originally published in an Adam Saracik Book “Never confuse winning with succeeding. A successful league and team is one that inspires its players to want to come back again tomorrow.” Too often, leagues and teams […]
Crossing and Finishing with Ryan Searle – Cinco Ranch High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Ryan Searle discusses this crossing and finishing drill. This is a competitive drill working on movement, running into the box, technique, and crossing. Coach explains the progression, warmup and modified game with […]
Goalkeepers Pole Drill with Paul Rogers – FC Cincinnati
Watch as Coach Paul Rogers explains, and players demonstrate this goalkeeper’s pole drill. The poles are set up 3 to 4 yards apart as that is the distance a goalkeeper should make 100% saves. The […]
Hazing/Bullying in Athletics
By: David T. Morris Originally Published in: Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny Definition of Bullying: As defined by the organization, stopbullying.gov, “bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real […]
3 Stations for Soccer Fundamentals with Julian Robles – Harlingen South High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Julian Robles explains that 80% of his players do not play club soccer. He uses 3 stations to help develop his squad: 3-on-3 with large goals, 6v4 rondo, and a 4-corner drill […]
2-Man Defending Pressure/Cover Cone Drill with Colby Peek – McKinney Boyd High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Colby Peek explains and shows practice video of this 2-man defending pressure/cover cone drill. The pressure defender sprints to the cone and the cover defender slides in behind a good position. The […]
7v4 to Goal Exercise with Marcus DiBernardo – Monroe Univ. New Rochelle
Watch as Coach Marcus DiBernardo explains, and players demonstrate this 7v4 to goal exercise. The 7 players in grey are keeping possession and the 3 players in yellow are trying to win the ball. The […]
Channel Game: 1 Touch 1 Defender with Brian McMahon – (Retired) Palm Beach Atlantic Univ.
Watch as Coach Brian McMahon explains, and players demonstrate the Channel Game: 1 Touch 1 Defender Drill. The degree of difficulty increases with 1 touch and players must think quickly, keeping the ball on the […]