Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this passing warm-up drill. It is important to make this drill goalkeeper-specific as it simulates the keeper seeing his center backs opening up and his 6 in front […]
Optimism
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Confidence comes from an understanding of your own agency, your own influence, and your own ability to make things happen. Bob Rotella is a sports […]
Going to Goal: 2v1 Reading the 2nd Defender Drill with Jeff Hosler – Michigan State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this 2v1 reading the 2nd defender drill. The ‘back-to-goal’ forward will receive a pass, lay it off, then peel and come underneath to be available. Work this 5 […]
Are You Humble Enough to Admit You Were Wrong? with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale asks the question, “Are you humble enough to admit you are wrong?” Most coaches would answer yes to this question, but many have a hard time with it. Why? Undermining creditably […]
Life – Love It…You’re Gonna Leave It
By: Coach Mickey Marley Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning You know something I used to be really guilty of doing? I was guilty of taking life for granted. I used […]
Mindset: Stop Blaming & Complaining with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan discusses awareness and mindset which may be the #1 separator from good to great and from great to elite. A winner’s mindset involves having extreme accountability and ownership for everything in your life. You […]
Goalkeeper: Attacking a Highball and Distribution Drill with Paul Rogers – FC Cincinnati
Watch as Coach Paul Rogers demonstrates this goaltending drill to help develop confidence attacking the highball and accuracy with the distribution.
Attacking from Wide Areas: Underlap Drill with Darren Powell – Lexington Sporting Club
Looking for a drill to practice attacking from the wing? Watch as Coach Darren Powell discusses, and coaches demonstrate this underlap drill that incorporates a run down the wing, a cross to two attacking players, […]
Attacking: Spreading the Opponent’s Defense to Maximize Space with Dave Newbery – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach shows video of spreading the opponent’s defense to maximize space and time for the attack. Coach discusses the technical/tactical details and highlights of the video and breaks down eight points of emphasis […]
What Gets Rewarded, Gets Repeated with Heath Eslinger – A Better Way Athletics
Watch as Coach 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 what your […]
Repeating Success
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Coaching Better Every Season – a lofty standard indeed, yet a very attainable one. The time-tested principles and strategies of quality […]
Center Back Play with Ian Barker – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach discusses and shows slides and diagrams of the center back position and the characteristics that are required. In the modern game, they must be able to pass the ball both long and […]
Win It/Play Out Drill with Dave Brandt – Bucknell Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate the Win It/Play Out Drill. The drill starts out with a mandatory one touch and when coach says, “Win It,” the players imagine they have lost possession and […]
Understanding Parents
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Keep the discussion with your athlete and parents alive, but never forget that you are the coach, and you have your own […]
Digital Distractions: Impact on Athletes Today with Todd Gongwer – Kardia Transformation Group
Watch as Todd explains the impact that digital distractions have on today’s athletes. He will discuss in detail how the following factors impact a team dynamic and make teaching, in general, more difficult. What is […]
Helping Athletes Overcome Perfectionism with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Watch as Stephen Mackey explains that athletes are dealing with pressure and expectations that come from the community and from themselves. Most athletes do not expect growth or personal best but instead, perfection. Athletes should […]
Defensive Toe-Poke Drill with Alan Yost – Kings Hammer FC
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this defensive toe-poke drill. The defensive player must pivot, stay low, and when they see an errant touch, use the toe poke. It is important to toe poke […]
Small-Sided Pressing Games with Eric Rudland – AFC Ann Arbor
Watch as Coach explains and shows diagrams of three small-sided pressing games. The 4v2 / 6v4 is a timed game emphasizing keep-away and possession that transitions into a 6v4. The 7v3 to 4 goals activity […]
Want vs. Willing
Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning by Coach Mickey Marley I made this statement earlier, but I think it bears repeating. I often would ask my players this question: ‘How many […]
Credibility Is Like a Bank Account with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale discusses how to establish credibility with athletes. Preparedness, empathy, and honesty are all keys to success. Dr. Dale also explains the importance of giving kids a purpose on the team. Like […]
Are You a Leader?
By: Alan Stein, Jr. AlanSteinJr.com I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. The words ‘coach’ […]
Defending Indirect Free Kicks Within 10 Yards of the Goal with Erik Lane – Captain Shreve High School (LA)
Watch as Coach discusses defending indirect free kicks within 10 yards of the goal. This is an infrequent situation but if it occurs, Coach puts all ten men on the goal line with the keeper […]
Accept It or Correct It with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan Stein, Jr. explains that every single behavior that goes on in your program, on or off the field, is either something you accept or correct. He also explains how eliminating some behaviors, such as […]
Goalkeeper Depth Perception High Ball Drill with Paul Rogers – FC Cincinnati
Watch as Coach explains, and volunteers demonstrate this depth perception high ball drill. The drill starts with a ball thrown out from behind the net. Players will then attack the ball at its highest point, […]
4 Ways to Build Your Team’s Confidence with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership
Jeff Janssen discusses 4 ways to build confidence for an athlete, a coach, or a team. First off knowing your strengths is key. Reviewing past successes, preparation, and praise and positive reinforcement from coaches and […]
Open Letter to High School Athletes
By: John Klessinger, Head Wrestling Coach – South River HS (MD) Dear High School Athlete, I am going to discuss the valuable lessons we learn from playing high school sports and how you should approach […]
Pressing: Know Your Personnel with Eric Rudland – AFC Ann Arbor
Watch as Coach explains the importance of “KYP,” or “Know Your Personnel,” when deciding if you will be a pressing team. He describes in detail the seven player characteristics of a pressing team. Having a […]
Language of the Leader with Jeremy Boone – Athlete By Design
Axiology is the science of human value and decision making and this assisted in a study of how athletes, coaches, and athletic directors make decisions. Based on this study, Jeremy suggests that the word ‘amazing’ […]
End-of-Season Evaluation Forms
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Departing senior athletes are an extremely valuable source of evaluation information. Because of the amount of time spent in the program […]
Striker Qualities with David Newbery – United Soccer Coaches
Watch as Coach explains the qualities required for a successful striker. A good striker must possess the following qualities: physical, cognitive/mental, technical, and tactical.