Meet MLS player and private soccer coach Chandler H! Coach Chandler has years of soccer experience from playing soccer in college and professionally. He loves working with kids and his favorite part of coaching is developing new techniques with players and showing them how to use them in game situations.

 

Tell us about your soccer career.

 

I finished my high school career with 121 goals. I played college soccer at UCLA between 2009 and 2011. I accepted a Generation Adidas contract and I was selected in the first round as the number 13 pick by the Philadelphia Union in the 2012 MLS Superdraft. I was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy in March of 2013 and currently lead the reserve team in goals scored.

 

Why did you decide to become a private coach?

 

I would have given anything to work with pro as a kid. I think it’s an awesome opportunity to give back.

 

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

 

I love teaching kids new techniques. I like to teach new talents and develop them with athletes so they can implement them in their game. Seeing them develop over time is great.

 

What can a client expect from private lessons with you?

 

We start out doing work with a ball and cones. We do some warm up games and create body movement to get the body ready to train. We work on some technical skills like volleys and crossing patterns. We do some finishing and shooting drills and finish with a 1 on 1 drill to see what was learned.

 

What is your coaching style or philosophy?

 

I want to be instilling the love of the game in athletes. Players should not dread going to practice. It’s never too late to learn something new. That’s why we play. I want this to be a platform to help players grow.

 

Who is your favorite coach and why?

 

My high school coach Justin Pratt. He helped me reach my game that I’m at now.

 

What is your favorite moment in your athletic career?

 

I have a few. In college, I scored 3 goals against Santa Barbara. When I was a pro last year, we played a friendly match against the German-club Schalke and scored the game–winning goal in a 2-1 win. Another one that’s coming up is that my team is playing against Real Madrid. I’m sure that will be a good one.

 

Do you have any success stories from coaching an athlete?

 

Yes. I’ve had athletes that improved their skills inside the eighteen. We did drills designed to build their confidence in attacking and finishing. It really showed during their play throughout the season.

 

Did you participate in your sport in high school and college (if so, where)?

 

I attended Oak Mountain High School where I was a two-year captain and a four-year varsity athlete. I was a SCAA/adidas High School All-American and ESPN Rise ALL-American and Alabama Player of the Year in 2008. I was Gatorade State player of the Year in Alabama (2008, 2009). I scored 121 goals (third-most in Alabama history), 45 assists, 33 game winning goals and 17 hat tricks during my high school career. I started and played in all 24 of UCLA’s games during the 2011 season.

 

What other sports or activities do you enjoy playing or practicing?

 

I played baseball, basketball, football and of course soccer. I love all sports in general. Our team got to throw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game, and that was great.

 

What is your favorite sports related movie?

 

Remember the Titans

 

What’s your mantra or favorite saying (in the context of sport and/ or life)?

 

Start with passion, finish with success.

 

What team do you root for most enthusiastically? (any sport)

 

The LA Galaxy of course, and I’m a big fan of Alabama football.