NIcholas S.

I have extensive experience coaching and developing athletes across multiple levels, with a focus on fostering both technical skills and holistic player growth. I began my coaching career at the youth level and grew to work with athletes from various backgrounds at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Over the years, I have also built and led private training programs designed to maximize individual athletic performance through tailored skill development, strength and conditioning, and sport-specific strategy for athletes from middle school to collegiate-bound.

I typically work with athletes ranging from middle school through young adults, adapting my approach to the developmental stage, learning style, and competitive goals of each player. My coaching philosophy emphasizes long-term athletic development, mental resilience, and cultivating a high-performance mindset.

In terms of formal credentials, I hold a USSF C License, which equips me with advanced knowledge of coaching principles, tactical frameworks, and best practices in athlete development. I continue to pursue ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry standards and innovative training methodologies.

I competed at the collegiate level as a Division I student-athlete, representing Mount St. Mary’s University. During my playing career, I consistently contributed at a high level, demonstrating technical skill, tactical awareness, and leadership on and off the field. I earned recognition for my performance, including student-athlete honors and all-conference selections, highlighting both my athletic capability and commitment to excellence.

Competing at this level provided me with a deep understanding of elite training regimens, competitive preparation, and mental resilience required to perform under pressure. These experiences have directly informed my coaching philosophy, allowing me to guide athletes not only in skill development but also in cultivating the mindset and discipline necessary to excel in competitive environments.

1:1 Attacker Development Session – Sample Plan
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus: Ball mastery, agility, speed, and finishing for attacking players

1. Dynamic Warm-Up & Activation (10 minutes)

Purpose: Prepare body for explosive movement, prevent injury, and activate attacking muscles.
Dynamic stretches: Leg swings (front/back, side-to-side), hip openers, lunges with rotation, high knees, butt kicks (2 sets each, 30 seconds)
Movement drills: Quick feet ladder, carioca, short sprints (10–15m) focusing on acceleration and deceleration
Ball activation: Dribble the ball in tight spaces while performing quick changes of direction

2. Ball Mastery & Technical Work (15 minutes)

Purpose: Enhance first touch, control, and dribbling under pressure.
Close control drills: 5–10 touches per foot in a tight cone grid, emphasize soft touches and speed of execution
1v1 moves practice: Inside-out dribble, step-over, body feints, shoulder drops
Progression: Apply moves at game speed with acceleration after each move

3. Speed & Agility for Attackers (10 minutes)

Purpose: Improve explosive movement, change of direction, and reaction time for attacking scenarios.
Agility ladder or cones: Focus on quick feet, lateral movement, and reaction to visual/auditory cues
Short sprints: 10–15m bursts, emphasizing first-step explosiveness and deceleration
Reaction drills: Coach signals direction; player dribbles or accelerates toward indicated cone

4. Finishing & Attacking Combinations (20 minutes)

Purpose: Translate technical skill and athleticism into scoring ability.
Dribble-to-shoot: Start from 20–25 yards, perform a feint or move, shoot on goal with both feet
First-time finishing: Receive ball from different angles and finish quickly under simulated pressure
Combination finishing: Quick 1–2 passes with coach, move off ball, receive return pass, and shoot
Progression: Incorporate movement from outside the box, varying angles, and different types of service (low, high, driven)

5. Cool Down & Recovery (5 minutes)
Purpose: Reduce risk of injury, promote recovery, reinforce muscle memory.
Static stretching: Hamstrings, quads, calves, hip flexors, glutes (hold 20–30 seconds each)
Light ball work: Gentle dribbling, passing, and finishing with reduced intensity
Breathing exercises: Deep, controlled breathing to lower heart rate and focus on recovery

Coach Points:
Emphasize quality over quantity; every touch and movement should be deliberate.
Constant feedback on technique, body positioning, and decision-making.
Adjust intensity based on athlete fatigue and technical execution.