Aaron C.

I have over 20 years of experience coaching soccer at various levels. As a collegiate head coach, I've led teams to national championships and numerous conference titles, developing numerous All-Conference and All-American players, including players who have gone on to secure professional contracts. I've also served as an athletic director and coached high school soccer, giving me a comprehensive understanding of athlete development across different age groups and skill levels.

At what levels have you coached?
I've coached at multiple levels including:

NCAA Division II (Montana State Billings)
NAIA (Hastings College, University of St. Thomas)
High School (Durango High School)
Semi-Professional (Nebraska Bugeaters F.C.)

What age groups do you typically work with?
I have experience working with a wide range of age groups, from high school students to college-age athletes. My focus has primarily been on developing players in the 12-24 age range, preparing them for collegiate and potentially professional careers.That being said, I have worked with all ages and genders over the years.

Do you have any industry certifications?
While specific certifications aren't mentioned in the provided information, I am:

A current member of the United Soccer Coaches
A current member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
A current member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors

Additionally, I hold a Master of Arts in Athletic Administration & Coaching from Concordia University Irvine, which provides a strong foundation for my coaching and administrative roles.

My coaching career has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including:

2016 NSCAA/NAIA National Coach of the Year
Multiple Conference Coach of the Year awards

Along with playing at the top youth level at the time, I attended Omaha Central High School, where I was a 4-year varsity starter and 3-year varsity captain. During my high school career, I led the team to the state tournament for three consecutive years. In my senior year, I earned 1st Team All-State honors and was named co-MVP of the prestigious Nebraska Shriners Senior All-Star game.
At the collegiate level, I competed for four years, starting at Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE, where I played from 1998 to 2001. At Bellevue, I was honored to serve as team captain for two years, demonstrating my leadership skills on and off the field.
In addition to my college career, I gained valuable experience at the semi-professional level, playing for the Lincoln Brigade in Lincoln, NE in 1997. The Brigade competed in the Premier Development League (PDL), part of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL) and United States Soccer League (USSL).
Throughout my playing career, I earned several notable awards and honors:
1st Team All-State (High School Senior Year)
Co-MVP of Nebraska Shriners Senior All-Star game
MCAC 1st Team All-Conference selection in both 2000 and 2001
All-Nebraska College 1st Team selection in 2000 and 2001
NAIA Region IV 1st Team All-Region in 2001
NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 2001
Bellevue University Athlete of the Year in 2001
These accolades reflect my dedication to the sport and my ability to consistently perform at a high level across high school, college, and semi-professional play. My experience as a successful athlete at various levels informs my coaching approach, allowing me to relate to and effectively guide the athletes I work with today.

A typical individual training session with me is primarily focused on developing technical skills, which form the foundation of player development. While we'll touch on tactical aspects, the bulk of our time will be spent refining your technique. Here's what you can expect from a session:

Personalized Skill Assessment (10-15 minutes):
We begin with a brief evaluation of your current technical skill level, identifying areas for improvement specific to your position and playing style.

Technical Skills (40-50 minutes):
This is the core of our session, where we'll work intensively on refining your fundamental soccer skills:

Ball mastery exercises to improve close control
Passing and receiving drills to enhance accuracy, speed, and first touch
Shooting practice tailored to your position, focusing on proper technique
Dribbling and 1v1 skills to increase your ability to beat defenders
Position-specific technical work (e.g., crossing for wingers, finishing for strikers)

Throughout these drills, we'll discuss how these skills translate to game situations, bridging the gap between technique and tactics.

Physical Fitness / Human Performance (15-20 minutes):
We'll incorporate fitness work that complements our technical focus:

Speed and agility drills specific to soccer movements
Coordination exercises to improve overall body control
Short, high-intensity exercises to mimic game demands

Mental Preparation (10 minutes):
We'll work on developing your mental approach to the game:

Visualization techniques to improve skill execution under pressure
Goal-setting exercises focused on technical development
Concentration drills to enhance focus during skill performance

Cool Down and Feedback (10-15 minutes):
We'll end with a proper cool-down routine and a brief discussion about the session. We'll review your progress, set goals for future training, and discuss how the skills we've worked on will impact your overall game.

Throughout the session, I use a variety of tools including cones, agility ladders, rebounders, and other soccer-specific equipment. When appropriate, I may use video analysis to provide immediate visual feedback on your technique.
While the focus is on individual technical development, I always aim to contextualize these skills within the broader game. We'll frequently discuss how improving these individual skills will enhance your decision-making and overall tactical understanding.
My approach is adaptable to athletes of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a youth player looking to solidify your fundamentals or an experienced player aiming to refine specific aspects of your game, I tailor each session to your specific goals and needs.
Remember, technical proficiency is the bedrock of soccer excellence. While you'll see improvements after each session, the real progress comes from regular, focused practice over time. I'm committed to helping you build a strong technical foundation that will elevate every aspect of your game.