Rich P.

My coaching philosophy is to help players and teams play constructive possession-based soccer in a safe, inclusive environment, while having fun. Most of all, I like to develop young players.
I started coaching at 23, where I coached the South Carolina State University women's soccer team for 2 years.
Following this, I have done private volunteer sessions for young players who wanted to improve.
I coached men's adult teams in the DFW area
Head coach - Boys U-13 and U14 - 2025 - 2026
I hold a US Soccer Federation D-License.
USSF Grassroots license (7 v 7 and 9 v 9)
USSF IDP certificate.
Continue to obtain coaching badges and always investing in continuous learning.

Coach Rich Payne
Playing Career (CAM, CDM, RW, LW, ST)
Started at U11 in my native Trinidad and Tobago.
I played through high school at the U14, U16, then U18 levels.
Following high school, I played for 2 years with the Petrotrin Football Club in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier (2nd) Division, just missing out on promotion to the 1st Division.
After this, I attended college in the US with my focus on academics. However, I continued to play the game till now.
SUMMARY
- Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive High School (T&T) - South Zone semi-finals
- Petrotrin Football Club - Trinidad and Tobago second division 1999 - 2001
3rd place in 1999
Famous United - North Texas Premier Division 1B and Division 1.
Division 1B Champions in 2011
Division 1B 2nd place in 2012

All sessions are carefully planned and written down.
For team sessions, I use an appropriate ratio of non-game-like, modified-game-like and game-like situations to develop individual skill but also build effectiveness withing the team. We define what the objective of the session, and then progressively add to the complexity, the end goal being to implement in a game situation.
My 1 on 1 sessions are heavily centered around ball mastery. From juggling, dribbling, feints, first touch....then passing, receiving, scanning. Kids do not spend enough time playing and manipulating the ball. My goal is to get them comfortable with the ball and hopefully inspire them to spend time with the ball on their own between practices.
For a more advanced player, I can create IDP's (Individual Development Plan) for the player, where I work on improving a very specific area. e.g, decision making in the final third.
If the player wants work on improving their conditioning, then I can tailor the session around that. This would involve interval training to get the player to excellent fitness levels.
I also do light work with goalkeepers on reflexes, shot-stopping, positioning, decision making.
The session planning and IDP's can be provided. I also try to provide feedback to the parents and be open about the player's ability and what they need to improve.