Raul M.

I have experience serving as an assistant soccer coach with school teams and working with youth athletes ranging from 6 to 18 years old. I enjoy creating positive, encouraging environments where players can develop their skills, build confidence, and grow in their understanding of the game.

My coaching approach begins with observing each athlete and assessing their current technical ability, soccer IQ, confidence, and individual needs. From there, I provide age-appropriate instruction designed to meet players where they are and help them take the next step in their development. I have worked with players at different experience levels, from young beginners learning foundational skills to high school athletes looking to improve their performance.

I played high school soccer at Chula Vista High School and competed for several club programs throughout the San Diego area, including the San Diego Aztecs, Chula Vista Rangers, and La Jolla Surf. One of the highlights of my club career was winning a State Cup championship with La Jolla Surf in the early 2000s.

After graduating from high school, I continued my soccer career at the collegiate level at Evangel University, a private Christian university in Springfield, Missouri. My experience playing competitive club, high school, and college soccer has given me a strong understanding of the technical, physical, and mental demands required at each stage of a player’s development.

Every session begins with a brief evaluation of the athlete’s current ability, confidence level, goals, and areas of improvement. I believe athletes develop best when they feel encouraged, challenged, and comfortable making mistakes while learning.

Sessions typically include a dynamic warm-up, ball-mastery exercises, dribbling and first-touch drills, passing and receiving techniques, and movement with and without the ball. Depending on the athlete’s goals, we may also focus on shooting mechanics, finishing techniques, positional awareness, creating space, finding space, decision-making, and overall soccer IQ.

Drills are always adjusted to fit the athlete’s age, skill level, position, and developmental needs. My goal is not simply to put an athlete through drills, but to help them understand how each skill applies during an actual game. I observe how the athlete moves and responds, provide clear feedback, and progressively increase the difficulty as their confidence and ability improve.