My Coaching Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY
My goal is to help players and teams toward their future potential by guiding the development of their skills, decision-making and confidence.
The Liverpool FC development model guides my focus on the Technical, Tactical, Physical, Social and Mental growth of my players.
Player development is the center of my focus and I create a fun environment which builds skills and a life-long love of football.
My training sessions are designed for maximum touches on the ball and feature fun, competitive small-sided challenges to promote decision making in game like scenarios.
Winning is important to help support self-esteem and provide fun, valuable memories. However, I never place short term victories above long-term development.
Utilize flexible strategy and formations to best use the skills of our team against the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents. When relevant, I watch opponent’s games to better prepare our team.
Players perform at their highest levels when they are in a confident and relaxed state of mind. I believe this comes from commitment and hard work in our training sessions.
Watching football is an important learning opportunity, as players can absorb ideas and options to bring into their own game.
Football requires observation, analysis and decisions in a fast-paced environment that changes by the second. It teaches a valuable life skill as players develop the ability to make and change decisions, take action and work together towards a plan while constantly adjusting with acts of individual and collective improvisation.
STRENGTHS
My biggest strength as a coach is to motivate players and teams to deliver beyond our own collective expectations.
The ability to take part in training sessions and scrimmages as a player helps me demonstrate skills, techniques and tactics.
Choosing the right coachable moments to give feedback at practice or the match.
Creating a strong inclusive culture with the belief that the team can become a strong resource for a player’s athletic, personal and social growth.
Build self discipline within the team to give ownership (e.g. match and practice warmups as self led).
My leadership background and experience as the parent of a teenager (with a serious goal to be a professional player) give me the maturity to effectively resolve the variety of situations a coach faces beyond the game.
THINGS YOU’LL HEAR ME SAY to players
The real work comes in practices, and the performance in the game should come naturally.
Put the ball in dangerous spaces...good things will happen!
The next goal is the most important...always!
Never switch off…games can be won or lost in an instant.
Be ready when the whistle blows. Set the tone of the match in the first minute when our opponents may not be switched on yet.
Make your decisions quickly…but don’t rush!