Watch as Dr. Timothy Baghurst explains that trust is the #1 factor in building culture. It all starts with you and if the players, assistant coaches, and staff don’t trust you, it does not matter […]
Assistant Coach Checklist
By: Denise Corlett – (Retired) Stanford University Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics ☐ Always be loyal to your head coach, staff, and school. At some point you might […]
2-Part Counter Pressing Drill Progression with Guy Nell – Lamar High School (Houston, TX)
Watch as Coach Guy Nell explains counter pressing and how it helped his team to win a district championship for the first time in 10 years. Counter pressing is trying to win the ball back […]
Improving Your Players’ Confidence with Zack Etter – Univ. of Massachusetts
Watch as Zack Etter discusses improving your players’ confidence. It is key that the players understand that the conversations they have in their head (self-talk) can be either beneficial or detrimental. The words you use […]
3v3 +2 Rondo with Marcus DiBernardo – Monroe College New Rochelle
Watch as Coach Marcus DiBernardo explains and shows practice video of this 3v3 +2 rondo exercise. This is a 3v1 in the middle of the field and the teams reverse with loss of possession. Each […]
Leadership is Authentic, Relentless, Selfless Service to a Cause with Colonel Craig Flowers – Sideline Leadership
Watch as Colonel Craig Flowers explains that the term leadership is often clouded by clichés. He explains that in its simplest form leadership is service to a cause. Many times, Coaches fail to define leadership, […]
You Are What You Eat
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life One of the most dramatic and consequential shifts in my lifetime in the personal habits of people, including many athletes, is the casual way in which […]
Attacking from Wide Areas: Overlap Drill with Darren Powell – Lexington Sporting Club
Watch as Coach Darren Powell explains, and players demonstrate this attacking wide areas overlap drill. Coach will go over each of the player’s roles and actions as the drill progresses. The players execute the overlap […]
Head Coach Blueprint: Cover Letters Are the Key to Getting Interviews with Chris Fore – Eight Laces Consulting
Watch as Chris Fore discusses how to get that first head coaching job. The key factor of getting an interview for the head coaching position is the cover letter. A great cover letter can make […]
The Butterfly Effect
By: Jamy Bechler Originally Published in: The Leadership Playbook One person can have such a strong effect on the world such as Martin Luther King, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, and Mother Teresa. In […]
Goalkeeper: Crossover and Find the Shot with Paul Rogers – FC Cincinnati
Watch as Coach Paul Rogers discusses when and how a goalkeeper moves backwards. The rule of thumb whether moving for a shot or tracking a ball is one crossover and run. Coach demonstrates different scenarios […]
Back Foot Defense with Alan Yost – Kings Hammer FC
Watch as Coach Alan Yost explains, and players demonstrate defending with the back foot. Goalkeepers are taught to defend the near post, and the back post is the responsibility of the first defender. The first […]
Leadership Drives the Culture with Jon Gordon – The Jon Gordon Companies
Watch as Jon Gordon explains that leadership drives culture. It is important to identify what you stand for, what you want to be known for, and what you value. Culture is not static, it is […]
Create a Positive Self-Talk Routine with Zack Etter – Univ. of Massachusetts
Watch as Zack Etter discusses creating a positive self-talk routine when communicating with players. He recommends sharing positive information everyday as today’s players are surrounded by negativity. Create an environment that focuses on the positive […]
Coaching Yourself: Managing Your Emotions
By: Rainer Martens & Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Just like athletes, coaches must manage their emotions to perform effectively. Your personal example of managing your anxiety is a powerful model for […]
10v2 Partner Moving Rondo with Marcus DiBernardo – Monroe College New Rochelle
Watch as Coach Marcus DiBernardo explains and shows video of the 10v2 Moving Rondo Drill. The drill consists of 3 squares and the 10-player group must get through all of them and then back. If […]
Recruiting, NIL, and Student-Athlete Priorities
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life One significant reason Hall of Fame college coaches such as Nick Saban, Jay Wright, Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski retired prematurely is NIL (Name, Image and […]
4v2 Keep Away Transition Drill with Ian Barker – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach Ian Barker discusses, and players demonstrate this 4v2 keep away exercise that encourages athletes to pick their head up and spread the field in transition. Coach Barker also emphasizes the importance of […]
Mental Toughness: Emotional Control with Jay Martin – Ohio Wesleyan Univ.
Watch as Coach Jay Martin discusses emotional control in a time of crisis. The mental aspect is the preparation leading up to play and the emotional control is how you take care of business in […]
3 Phases of 11v11 with Jose Arenas – Univ. of Denver
Watch as Coach Jose Arenas explains and shows practice video of the 3 phases that are in the 11v11. Phase #1 is building out from the goalkeeper, moving forward, and organizing spacing for the back […]
The Mantra of “Get Better Every Day” Applies First to Coaching
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life After 40+ years in coaching, certain things are automatic for me. One of those things is, from the moment a practice, training session, game or season […]
Flying Transition Drill 4v0 Progression with Andy Holt – Justin Wakeland High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Andy Holt explains and shows video of the 4v0 Flying Transition Drill that focuses on anticipation, speed, and effort. A ball is played into the goalkeeper who will pass to the #9 […]
Scouting the Opponent’s Offense with Ian Barker – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach Ian Barker discusses what is important to observe when scouting an opponent’s offense. What do they do on the attack? He will focus on the style of play, their width, which players […]
Defend the River Rondo with Eric Rothwell – Elder High School (OH)
Watch as Coach Eric Rothwell explains, and players demonstrate this ‘Defend the River Rondo’ competitive warmup drill. The field is divided into two sides of the river with two teams of eight players per side. […]
4-Cone Defensive Drill with Tony Bowles – Rockwall High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Tony Bowles explains, and players demonstrate this 4-cone defensive drill. The players are in groups of 4 like a traditional back 4 and the cones are numbered 1 through 4. When Coach […]
Developing Athletes at Practice
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life “The best athletes have the most potential to be the best players.” Prior to, and possibly including 8th grade, I think all players benefit from playing […]
Athletes’ Stressors & Resilience with Dr. Peter Ormsby – Univ. of North Carolina at Pembroke
Watch as Dr. Peter Ormsby discusses athlete stressors and resilience. Nearly 33% of athletes report mental health symptoms which is higher than general population samples. He will explain some of the types of stressors that […]
Setting Effective Goals
By: Colleen M. Hacker Originally Published in: Achieving Excellence Provided by: Human Kinetics Olympic athletes, like most high achievers, commonly set goals to guide and motivate performance. These elite performers would not engage in action […]
Dive-Volley Goalie Drill with Paul Rogers – FC Cincinnati
Watch as Coach Paul Rogers explains, and volunteers demonstrate this dive-volley goalie drill. The drill starts with the goalie doing a lateral double touch then diving to block a shot and moving back into position […]
Leaders Must Look for Opportunities to Serve with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Watch as Robert Grasso explains that leaders must look for opportunities to serve. Leadership is not about power, prestige, or a title, but about looking out for others. He explains to the athletes that their […]