Arya K.

I have coached at Amaral Soccer Academy since 2023 and UMass Soccer School since 2024, working with players ranging from 6 to 17 years old. In addition to group coaching, I have provided individualized training to high school and NCAA collegiate athletes, focusing on technical development and overall player improvement. I am BLS certified and previously served as a certified soccer referee for four years, further strengthening my understanding of the game and its rules.

Named to the All Western Massachusetts team in high school (sophomore)
Wilbraham Monson Academy soccer MVP senior year
2023 New England Prep School All Star
Practice player for the New England Revolution youth academy
I played collegiate NCAA DIII soccer for 3 years at Springfield college.

My approach to coaching is centered around playing soccer naturally and developing the technical skills needed to succeed in real game situations. I believe players should be comfortable on the ball, confident in their decisions, and able to adapt to different situations on the field. I focus on areas such as first touch, changes of pace, ball control, and breaking lines, while adjusting each session based on the player's position, goals, and areas they want to improve. On top of that, I make sure my athletes are taking care of their bodies by including a focused warm-up and cool down in each session, to minimize the risk of injury. I believe this is the most important thing for all athletes!!

I also like to tailor training to the demands of each position. For defenders, I emphasize patience, positioning, decision-making, and being comfortable on the ball under pressure. For attacking players, such as wingers, forwards, and attacking midfielders, we may focus on first touch, beating defenders in 1v1 situations, breaking lines, creating opportunities to cross, and finishing. Ultimately, I want players to develop skills they can actually use and feel confident applying during games.

Sessions generally begin with an 8–10 minute dynamic warm-up before moving into technical exercises focused on first touch, ball control, and different movements with the ball. I also incorporate reaction-based exercises that challenge players to recognize visual cues, process information, and make quick decisions while on the ball.

The rest of the session depends on what the player wants to work on and where they feel they can improve. Whether that means finishing, attacking 1v1, breaking lines, or defensive positioning and decision-making, I try to create situations that replicate what players experience during actual games. I want each player to leave training feeling more confident, having learned something new, and knowing how to apply what they've worked on when they step onto the field!!