Nick C.

Currently Head Women's soccer coach at College of Lake County. Played for Averett University in Virginia and played semi professionally for Richmond International and Academic Soccer Academy in England. Moved into coaching and spent 3 years coaching for Averett University as well as spending time working College ID camps for Duke University, North Carolina State, and Campbell University. Spent a season coaching with a travel soccer team in Virginia and has coached for Bath City Youth Soccer in England. I have my FA Level 1 and 2 coaching certificates from England.

Holds a Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology and uses this to add a psychological element to each session, including mental toughness, motivation, coping strategies, and performing under pressure.

I played in England at a semi-professional level between the ages of 16-18 until I was recruited by Averett University to come and play in America. I played in America for 3 years until my graduation and was fortunate enough to be able to continue my playing career back in England with an International Soccer Academy while also gaining my Masters degree. I have been fortunate enough to play with and learn from many former and current professional players from the lower levels right through to English Premier League and International players.

My sessions are always run with clear goals in mind. Before training with me we will decide what you would like to get from the session and we will set specific goals to achieve this. This being said, I focus on creating all round soccer players so all of my sessions will include elements of technique, tactics, fitness, and psychological enhancement.

Example session plan - e.g. 1v1 Defending
0-5 minutes - Go over session plan and what goals we are looking to achieve in the session (e.g. to learn correct body position when defending 1v1)
5-15 minutes - individual skill game to raise heart rate as a warm up (e.g. defensive header game working on ball not dropping over player)
15-25 minutes - practicing the sessions skill (e.g. working on defensive body shape and how to time tackles)
25-40 minutes - working in the skill in a game situation (e.g. working on defending 1v1 in different situations around the pitch to learn about how to react with the team as well)
40-55 minutes - playing a scored game to see improvement and give a method of evaluating future progress (e.g. defending 1v1 against another player/coach in a grid where points are scored for stopping the ball on lines)
55-60 minutes - cool down, stretch, and recap of session and goals with future action plan (e.g. discuss defensive body position, timing of tackles, roles in different areas of field. Then create an action plan for future improvement over the week)