Virginia Jacques

I currently coach collegiate soccer at Columbia International University and coach youth girls soccer at South Carolina United FC. I have been personal training for 8 years. I have led my own individual and group sessions. Age ranged of middle school-high school girls at Weddington. I assisted with WCWAA soccer club while I was in High School. Helping with camps, leading practice sessions for youth teams and personal training on the side. I then coached part time at Soccer Shots while in college, ranging from 2-13 years old depending on the school. After graduating college, I was the Head Coach of the u10/u11 girls at the Charlotte Eagles Youth Soccer Club for a year and a half. I have also assisted coaching at the UNC Charlotte Women's Soccer camps every summer.

Competed at the division 1 college soccer level at UNC Charlotte for four years. Earning starting spots and competitive playing time.
Played what is considered "semi-pro" for the WPSL team, Charlotte Lady Eagles, a year after graduating. Our team competed against professional soccer teams on our mission trip in Columbia, South America in 2018.

In club soccer for Charlotte Soccer Academy, I was rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com and was a 2014 member of the IMG Academy 150 Player Pool.

Served as a team co-captain for Weddington High School.
Tabbed to the 2012 and 2013 3A all-state teams by the North Carolina High School Soccer Coaches Association. Picked to the 2012 All-Charlotte Observer Third Team. Registered 16 goals during my junior year. Earned an all-region nod as a freshman and senior. Recipient of the Coach’s Award.

Participated with the Olympic Development Program first team 2008-2011 … Invited to the ODP Regional Camp from 2009-11.

Before everything starts, I have the player fill out my questionnaire/player profile. I like to know the players position, what level they're at, their strength and weaknesses and how the player views his/herself and what their short term/long term goals are.

My typical layout is first having a conversation with the player while they're stretching/warming up, getting to know them, getting feedback on how they're doing and how they're feeling. I think it's important to build positive relationships with the players, so they feel comfortable during their session and they can feel like they can talk openly about whatever problems and/or successes they are having in their soccer career.

I always start with having the player perform 5 minutes of juggling to get the mind focused before beginning. I will have them remember their record.

Typically will start the session off with an agility ladder to get the feet ready. I focus on players being light on their toes, pumping their arms, getting low, and exploding with a change of pace once through the ladder.

I focus heavily on technical drills, I switch it up all of the time. I believe it's important to practice repetition of different moves. Often times will have players do the square drill, where they will be in a 4x4 box for a minute on/minute off, getting as many touches and moves in as possible, using their creativity and mental strength.

I always incorporate passing/trapping with different drills, challenging the first touch.

Many of my sessions are based off what they player NEEDS to work on most.

I have drills for everything, but I usually prefer to end with shooting drills and cardio.

Many of my shooting drills will be incorporated with either bringing the ball down out of the air, doing a move around a cone, or turning and shooting. I often times will pass or throw the player the ball, and encourage them to hit between the cones and the posts that I set up, practicing aiming for the corners of the net.

In many of my sessions, I give incentives or make it a challenge to beat a record. I find this helps drive the player to be more competitive and invested in their performance.

I always end with juggling, and often times will have the player beat their record from the beginning of the session, to end on a positive note. Having them juggle when they are tired after their session is the best way to build mental toughness and focus.

Lastly will always ask player for feedback, even during the session I will ask the player how they are feeling just to make sure there are no problems or injuries.