Argyris Eleftheriou

I began my coaching career in 2018 at Bergenfield High School as the head coach of the Freshman boys’ soccer team, where I was responsible for introducing players to the fundamentals of competitive high school play. Concurrently, I worked as a personal and small group trainer at Just Football Academy, providing technical development sessions for kids ranging in age from five years old through high school. This dual experience allowed me to refine my instructional techniques and prioritize individual skill development within both team and private training environments.

Following my initial role at the Freshman level, I advanced to coach the Junior Varsity team at Bergenfield, where I spent two seasons preparing athletes for the physical, tactical, and mental demands of varsity competition. Upon transitioning to a new role as a school counselor in the Franklin Township School District, I served as an assistant coach for the Franklin High School varsity team. I later assumed the position of head coach at Franklin Middle School, where I led the soccer program for two seasons with a focus on foundational development and long-term player readiness.

Currently, I am the head coach of the Freshman boys’ soccer team at Randolph High School. In my second season, I led the team to a Morris County Freshman Cup championship. I also provide periodic support to the varsity program by assisting with training sessions, tactical planning, and player evaluations. This year the varsity team celebrated its first State Sectionals title in over a decade.

Throughout my coaching career, I have consistently focused on identifying potential in athletes and supporting their progression to the next competitive level. My approach emphasizes high-repetition technical drills, game-realistic decision-making scenarios, and the development of individual confidence within the context of a structured training environment.

Over the years, I have developed a strong ability to identify specific areas of growth in individual players and create training plans that directly address those needs. My background as a school counselor gives me a unique advantage in connecting with athletes on a personal level, motivating them to embrace challenges and commit to their own development. I have also had the opportunity to work alongside dozens of experienced and knowledgeable coaches, allowing me to absorb a wide range of drills, techniques, and philosophies while refining my own approach. My specialty lies in elevating fundamental aspects of the game such as first touch, shooting, dribbling, movement, and body mechanics, and building them into advanced skill sets that prepare players to compete at higher levels. With experience across multiple levels and age groups, I am committed to helping each player maximize their ability through purposeful instruction and a long-term development mindset.

In addition to my professional experience, I hold multiple certifications that reflect my commitment to safe, effective coaching. I am CPR and AED certified, trained in epinephrine administration, heat illness prevention, and concussion in sports. I have also completed the NFHS “Fundamentals of Coaching” certification, ensuring that my instruction aligns with national standards for athlete safety, performance, and development.

My playing background spans high school (2007-2011), collegiate club (2011-2015), and adult competitive soccer (2015-), giving me a deep understanding of the game that continues to shape how I train and develop athletes. I played four years of high school soccer, including three at the varsity level, where I gained early exposure to competitive play and team leadership.

At Temple University, I spent four years competing with the collegiate club soccer team. While not part of the NCAA system, collegiate club soccer is highly competitive and structured. It involves regular training, regional travel, and participation in organized leagues and national-level tournaments. These experiences taught me how to balance individual development with team success while competing against strong programs from across the country.

After college, I remained immersed in the game by playing in several adult leagues throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These include the Garden State Soccer League, Tri-County Soccer League, CASA in Philadelphia, the Hoboken Adult Soccer League, and various indoor teams based out of Dutch Total Soccer, the Soccer Coliseum in Teaneck, and the Lou Ramos Center in Allentown. These environments demand quick decision-making, technical sharpness, and tactical flexibility, which have helped me stay connected to the rhythm and evolution of the game.

This lifelong engagement with soccer has a direct influence on how I coach. While I mainly played anywhere across the backline, as well as central midfield, versatility has always allowed me to play everywhere on the pitch. My approach is shaped by years of firsthand experience at different levels of play, and in various positions allowing me to recognize what players need at various stages of development. I focus on building strong fundamentals, improving game intelligence, and developing confidence in pressure situations. Whether I am working with a beginner or a player preparing for the next level, I bring a clear, informed perspective grounded in my own time on the field.

The session begins with a 10-minute warm-up focused on ball mastery and technical activation. During this time, the athlete works through high-repetition footwork drills such as toe taps, inside-outside touches, sole rolls, and V-cuts. These are performed at increasing speed and complexity to engage both feet, develop fine motor control, and establish rhythm with the ball. We also incorporate an agility ladder, using it in combination with dribbling to link lower-body coordination with ball control. The purpose of this phase is to prepare the athlete physically while maximizing early touches and reinforcing a strong technical base.

From minutes 10 to 25, we focus on first touch and directional control. Using a wall, rebounder, or partner setup, the athlete performs a variety of receiving exercises that require them to take clean, purposeful touches into space. This includes inside-foot control, across-the-body receptions, and open-up touches with movement. The drills are designed to simulate match-realistic receiving patterns, emphasizing preparation for the next action and clean execution under light pressure. We introduce cones as reference points to guide directional movement after the touch. The athlete receives the ball, opens up with the appropriate foot, dribbles through or around a marker, and plays a return pass. The goal is to refine their first contact with the ball, improve spatial awareness, and encourage sharp foot-body coordination.

Minutes 25 to 40 are dedicated to combining technique with game-related movement. The athlete performs passing sequences involving quick give-and-go combinations, check runs, and wall passes into space. These drills introduce timing, scanning, and transitional movement, teaching the player how to stay involved in the play and think ahead. I occasionally step in as a passive or active defender to simulate pressure and decision-making scenarios. The emphasis here is on efficiency, clean execution, and composure. This phase also helps build positional understanding, encouraging players to recognize when to accelerate, when to receive to feet, and when to play into space.

From minutes 40 to 55, we work on finishing. Depending on the player's level and position, we may focus on one-touch shooting, dribble-to-shot execution, or angle-based finishing. The setup often includes a quick technical sequence leading into the strike to simulate realistic build-up. This may involve a ball recovery, a directional touch around a cone, and a composed finish. Here, the athlete is challenged to maintain technique and calm decision-making even as intensity and fatigue increase. This segment not only sharpens their ball-striking ability but also reinforces the physical and mental connection between possession and productivity.

The final five minutes are used for a light cooldown and technical review. We finish with light touches, light dribbling, or juggling while reflecting on the focus of the session. I give targeted feedback, highlight areas of growth, and outline goals for future sessions. The structure of this training model ensures a constant connection between player and ball. Touches are maximized, rest is minimized, and every activity has a clear purpose rooted in long-term technical development and soccer intelligence.