Corey Friend

I've been around the game and coaching pretty much my whole life. I've assisted in clinics from age 10 onward, and spent 2 years as an NCAA practice player/coach supporting a division 1 coach and team in college, and even founded a military base club/team which I coached and played for.

I've been coaching through the AYSO system for the last 3 years. Each year I've coached 3 teams simultaneously. My 3 teams are my 3 sons' teams at 10u, 12u, and 14u. I've also trained 1-on-1 clients for the past 18 months. I typically work with younger developmental age groups, but can and would work up through the high school and college level.

I captained my state championship high school (3A) team my senior year and was fortunate to be a part of the Division 1 Men's Soccer Program at the United States Air Force Academy for my freshman and sophomore year. Due to some untimely injuries and life circumstances, I finished my junior/senior year as an NCAA practice player, in more of a player/coach role underneath coach Lawrence Friend. I went on to found and coach a base soccer team in the military that played in the adult division 1 league locally and competed at the annual Defender's Cup National Military Tournament. One of my best highlights and experiences was being able to represent the United States Military National Team for two tournaments. I continue to play on and off in various leagues to stay fresh and compete, this also allows me to spend a lot of active time in training demonstrating what I'm looking for and helping to control the flow/tempo when joining a drill or scrimmage.

I absolutely believe in maximizing touches through a dynamic session, as well as including strength/conditioning. A typical session would involve a dynamic warm up on and off the ball that often informs some juggling and foundational ball work. We would proceed into a higher tempo drill with high repetition of touches on the ball. Depending on the client, we'll do specific work on an area they're focused on improving whether it be shooting, 1st touch, all the way through soccer IQ, mindset, nutrition and personal development. Whether 1-on-1 or with a group, I like to run a 45-75 minute session depending on my clients' needs and goals. In any case, clients that work with me get a sense of my passion and love for the game, my excitement for a great 1st touch or a well struck ball transfers over is palpable, and I truly believe this is why I a succeed as a coach. Players that work with me focus on their optimum technical development, but are also reminded of the joy and love required to play this game as a lifetime passion.