Sam M.

Certifications: USSF A License, NSCAA Premier Diploma

Coaching/training experience: I've coached boys and girls (teams and individuals) from u-8 through the college level . Recent coaching jobs include: Head boys soccer coach at Germantown Friends School (PA), Director of Coaching at Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls (MA), Head coach at the Philadelphia Union Summer Select program (PA), and the running my own clinics for the Chesnut Hill Soccer Club "First Touch, Feints, and Field Vision" (PA).

In terms of "soccer tutoring", I've trained numerous middle and high school players who aspire(d) to play at the next level (including 2 players who went on to be All-Americans and captains of their college programs); I have also worked with college players. In every case, I've helped the players set goals,and have devised individual programs that focus on the whole player and the four (or I would argue five) pillars of the game.

Semi-pro/ amateur playing experience:
NY Hota Bavarians (Long Island)
Caisse de Depot (Paris, France)

College playing experience:
Williams College (MA)... 2 year starter, 4 year member of nationally ranked team

High school playing experience
St Andrew's School (DE)... league MVP, All-State, NSCAA All-Regional player

There are several factors that go into planning a training program (how old is the player; what are his aspirations; what is the time frame; what are the technical deficiencies that need to be addressed; what positions does she play and what are the roles, responsibilities, and physical and mental characteristics of those positions, etc). So it is hard to say specifically what a "typical" training session is; it all depends of the player before me. That said, I always do targeted, specific training to help automatize technique (receiving, feints, shooting, etc); I employ visual and/or verbal components to add complexity and decision making into the exercises (amongst other things); I use time restrictions to help speed of play; I create exercises that take place in the appropriate areas of the field (when applicable); and I employ the Socratic method to develop a better thinking, more engaged soccer player. With older players, I have often required a soccer journal writing component as well (to keep track of progress, workouts, etc).