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Hi,
My Name is Sascha Goerres and I coach for the Richmond Kickers in Virginia. I am originally from Germany and came to the US to play in college. I got picked up by the Richmond Kickers Pro team back in 2005 and have played for them ever since. I started coaching for them in 2007 during the off-season. 6 years later, I have coached almost every age group and ability level in the club, mostly on the boys side. Currently, I coach our U13 Elite team, which is the highest level in our club behind the U14 Academy team, a pool of 20 U9 players and assist with our U18 Academy team.
I had the great opportunity to work with a coaching instructor from the KNVB, Jan Reurings, over the last three summer. He questioned everything I was doing , showed me what it means to have a philosophy and just demonstrated a great coaching ability. Around the same time I found 3Four3 and have been a silent reader since then. Most importantly it has taught me to never stop learning. Signing up for this course was a no-brainer for me and I hope to learn something from each of you.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Jason Meurer. I’m 42 years old and have been coaching youth soccer for around 20 years in the Louisville, KY area. I currently coach at United 1996 FC, working with our u14 girls team at the moment. I’ve have been coaching on the girls side for about 4 years now and I can say; at least in KY, the game is severely lacking. On our boys side, which is not called River City Rovers, we certainly have an “identity” as a group of teams which play a possession style of and have had some good success over the years elevating boys to the next level. Presently, we have 2 boys (16 yrs and 17 yrs) in Europe (Denmark and Holland), playing with the U19s of each club they are with. We also had the #1 MLS draft pick 2 years ago in Andrew Farrell. The coaching staff on our girls side is working toward the same standard, and its a huge challenge. We have been a slow growth club and our director has been very picky with the coaches he hires. We have only had a full girls side for about 4 years now and we consistently get 3rd and 4th choice players as the other 2 clubs in town have a reputation as being elite. Even with the situation, we have several age groups which compete well and with our identity in tact.
I would say that my philosophy of the game or how I feel the game comes from my playing background. I was heavily influenced by latin coaches growing up (Spanish-American coach), in college (Colombian coach), and after college (Argentinian coach). I coach at our club because they share the same philosophy and we certainly have an identity. I joined this group with the hope that I can continue to learn and bring that knowledge back to the players in our club. I feel the tactical richness is something that is missing from our players, especially on the girls side and the methodology of Gary and Brian have made me reconsider my own methodology. I’m eager to try new things in an effort to produce better teams.
Thanks
Jason
Hello lads,
I am from Hertfordshire in England, grown up playing football in the parks with friends and later competitive football into my 30s. I am now 45 yrs old and a full time coach, running my own business working in schools, coaching teams, 1-2-1 and even boxing. I have worked at two pro academies, Stevenage Boro and Barnet FC, but to be honest felt very disappointed with they way they wanted me to coach so left and never want to work at a academy again, unless it is my own or someone with very similar thoughts to myself.
I have been coaching since 1998 and have worked with 5 yr olds to adults. 4 years ago I got involved with a company called Premier Skills, started by 2 brilliant English coaches, John Cartwright and Roger Wilkinson, my two biggest influences by far. John has been preaching possession football since the late 1970s and fell out with the English FA over their style of play.
I love the USA Barcelona teams I have seen, very good football and like many coaches have been intrigued by how Gary and Brian have achieved the level of football we have witnessed. What I would say is I am not here to be a carbon copy of their style of play. I don’t think it is good for us as coaches to not think for ourselves! I believe we need to prepare young players for the future game as much as we can in our own environment and my environment is not the same as theirs. I do see possession football as a team game, but made up of individuals that learn to play together.
I see the future of football changing with all round players more in demand, I would not be surprised to see a team of midfielders plus goalkeeper some day.
Hello all,
My name is Jason Tenner and I currently coach in upstate NY. This is my 10th year coaching, but I’ve only been serious for about the last four years. Now, I’m obsessed.
I’ve been lurking on 3four3 since the infamous possession video, and just reading the blog/comments has changed my views and philosophy tremendously. I tend to absorb and experiment than to actively participate, but I’ll try to change that with this new blog. I read/watch everything I can get my hands on.
I am the girls varsity coach for a local HS and I am a coach and founding member of a local club that has been in existence for one year (but I’ve been coaching club longer than that). I generally coach about four nights a week, but I’m a teacher by day. The two professions work well together.
Our HS team has enjoyed a lot of recent success, and 3four3 has been a big part of that success. Most of the teams in this area play jungle ball, and we’re slowly trying to change that. Our club team has a mix of coaches, most of whom like to play direct and are Coerver enthusiasts, but we don’t have a curriculum yet. I’m hopeful we will tackle that soon and start adopting a possession philosophy, as I plan on helping to write the curriculum myself.
I’m looking forward to growing with everyone on this site – thanks for the opportunity!
Hey everyone! My name is Eric Struble and I’m a 24 year old coach in Virginia.
I’ve been coaching since I finished my playing career at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia where I played for Bryan Waggoner (for anyone who knows of him). I’m currently the lead assistant coach at Sweet Briar College as well as the lead assistant coach for the local high school varsity team. I’m in the process of working on my coaching licenses so that I can eventually become a full time head coach (ideally at a college).
I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone here and I’d like to thank Coach Kleiban for setting everything up here. If anyone wants to ever get in touch with me, feel free to follow me @ebstruble on twitter or email me at ebstruble@sbc.edu
Greetings 3Four3,
My name is Chad Moran and I coach a U12G team in Clovis, CA. Like many of you, I have been stalking 3Four3 since the video was published. I have been coaching soccer since 1999. Three years ago I started coaching competitive/travel. My enthusiasm and drive along with some really great athletes has produced success. Last year my U11 team won our State Cup and earlier this year we were fortunate to pull off a defeat of the other State Cup Champion in PK’s. We can compete with the very best teams in Northern California but there has been something missing all along. My Club does not have a clear curriculum and I have essentially been training myself. I’ve gone to coaching courses, I watch the game, I steal shamelessly if I see something that works, I have a library of books, videos and internet subscriptions- Coerver, SoccerU, a bunch of NSCAA material, World Class Coaching, Beastmode Soccer (which is also a favorite) – seriously folks, I have it all. I have worked very hard and learned a lot but in the end, I feel like I don’t know SHIT! Gain confidence in your coaching….I’m IN! Show me the way!
I’ve watched all of the videos now and I’m thinking…I’ve been doing 4v1, 3v1, Rondos, playing out of the back…..but never with such purpose & clarity – it is all tied together!….I love that there is one clear, cohesive message throughout all phases of the game. I also greatly appreciate the very fine details I am seeing. 3Four3 drove me to acquire a Hi-Pod not long after I saw the U11 Possession video so I will get some game video as soon as I have implemented the curriculum the right way. Gary, what kind of audio setup do you use?
Glad this program is finally here….ready to learn! Thanks Gary and Brian!
My name is Scott Nelson and I have been coaching in the South Puget Sound area of Washington State for the past 19 years. I’ve done the whole spectrum at the club level: recreational, district, select, premier, some regional Super-Y league with the old USL Sounders… you name it. I’ve always tried to play a possession based game regardless of the talent level at my disposal, usually with good to very good results (relative to the level of competition), but nothing close to the level we are all now hoping to achieve. For the past 4-5 years I have been focusing less on traditional club coaching and have been exploring ways to try and influence the existing local soccer culture by 1) working in a club setting with really young kids (and their parents/coaches) and 2) working with low income and immigrant populations who are almost completely disconnected from the organized youth soccer scene. I am the technical director for a mod program at a small local club, have a U9 “premier ” team made up mostly of the first graduates of that program, and I organize and run intramural programs in Federal Way Wa public schools for low income kids. The most rewarding thing I am doing right now is coaching the boys at Mt Tahoma High School, an inner city school in Tacoma WA. This school was the doormat of the league when I took over but we missed out on the league title by one point last season (year 3 of my first 5-year plan) and we are making a lot of headway towards our goal of totally transforming the culture there both on and off the field.
Now I’m looking to reconstruct my own coaching culture. Whether it’s a refinement or a revolution remains to be seen.
Hey 3Four3,
My name is Terry Ransbury, 52 years old and I live in Chapel Hill, NC. I am just a parent who is extremely interested in not having my 9-year old son repeat a very dissatisfying soccer experience of my 16-year old son here in the Triangle area. I am however (and I will type this carefully) a son-of-a-coach, so I grew up around the profession my entire childhood. I am also a fairly accomplished masters decathlete still being coached via the strength and conditioning coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Mike Young. I mention that only because I intend to post on some physical topics and was hoping to bring some cred.
My 9-year old plays for TUSA Celtic U-11 and is fortunate to be coached by John Kerr, the men’s coach for Duke (son on the team, naturally). We have been blessed to have been to Barcelona twice for soccer, once for the tournament in Castellon and the other through the Barcelona Soccer Camp/ISL Futbol (Charlotte, NC). Like you all, I am addicted to the 3Four3 content and extremely impressed by the Brothers’ Kleiban guts, style and passion. Thank you to all you contributors, past, current and future!!
Hi Gents-
My names Eric Dykes and I coach the U10 Flight I Pateadores HB boys team in California . I enjoy studying and learning about the game and after my teams struggles against Barcelona USA and Marc Gomez Chivas group I decided there must be something to this system. We could beat almost anybody that had a group of individuals or even a small group of kids working together- (were a very athletic group), but we were destroyed by these possession based groups.
Ive coach the sport on and off for 15 years. I coached high school soccer in the mid 1990’s with much success and most recently working with my sons club team.
I have zero ego and am open minded to adapting or destroying what I do so my kids can play better and with more teamwork on the pitch.
Cheers!
Hi All
I am Steve Rollins and coach U10 and under in Central NJ. I do not coach full time but spend most of my free time trying to help local kids. I am a huge fan of Coerver Methods and also follow many of the techniques of the Ajax academy where I played for a few years. I stumbled upon 3four3 on twitter, I am Softtop67, and liked the interactions with Gary and thought this site would be a great place to help expand my knowledge
Hey guys,
My name is Dirk Bennett and I’m very excited to finally see Brian and Gary’s program launch to such great acclaim. I’m a 25-year-old footy fanatic and I started playing the beautiful game aged 6 at the rec/AYSO level, then moved on to club soccer at 9, playing a few years up in my small, 1-club Midwest town. I’ve been going ever since, proudly captaining my high school team and playing college for Eastern Illinois University (NCAA Div. I).
I have about 2 1/2 years of high school boys coaching experience and 1 1/2 years coaching high school girls (our season is about to begin!). Currently, on the advice of a few of my old coaches, I’m about to start getting my badges in order so that I can begin the transition from a marketing/sales background to full-time coaching as a means to support myself. It took me my first few post-college jobs to figure out that the game will never leave my mind, and that my true calling is to pass on my thoughts and feelings about soccer to the youth of tomorrow. Currently, I’m in the search for any assistant coaching opportunities at the collegiate level.
When I played, I was blessed with good size and decent speed, but very few noticeable qualities as far as most coaches were concerned. I was fancy during the indoor season, but played quick and I daresay smart/conservative outdoors. Truly, the only thing I felt I was best at was passing. Unfortunately, I was surrounded by ‘Route 1’ style coaches who LOVED to yell and emulate our American football coaches practicing a few hundred yards away. It made for some successful seasons, but only because we were surrounded by such low quality (middle-of-nowhere, IL). When we occasionally got to a State tournament in high school, or ventured into Chicago/St. Louis for a club showcase, we always got put back in our place, left scratching our heads and wondering why we weren’t coming out on top. A core group of us always loved playing possession, but always felt like there was no support for such a ‘style’. Looking back, we now reminisce about how good we could have been had we just had some coaches like Brian and Gary.
Now that I’m coaching, I’ve scoured Youtube for drills, inspiring videos, highlights, etc. to show my high school teams. In doing so, I found 3Four3 and their possession-based approach via the blog about a year ago. Since then, I’ve been a silent reader. After meticulously going through EVERY single blog post and making my way through suggested readings like Jed’s Tiki Taka book, Guardiola, Barca: Making the Greatest Team in the World, and others, I finally feel up to speed and ready to contribute.
Looking forward to getting involved and learning a lot from you guys! Hope I can contribute something as well. Feel free to send a follow request to me on Twitter @dirktastical, and I’ll follow back. Cheers!
Hello:
My name is Eric Sauze. I am in Edmonton, Canada. I coach a U12G and U18G team.
Canada has a men’s FIFA ranking of 112. We lose to teams from countries we don’t even know exist. Since I am at the grassroots, I am part of the problem. This course will be a positive step towards coaches’ education.
Given the weather here, 6 months of the season is played in 6v6 (including goalies) indoor, boarded soccer. Dump & chase is the norm. It will be interesting applying a possession system in a smaller, confined space with limited out of bounds.
Hi,
I am Sunny Troxell a youth coach in the Northern Virginia area. I work for HappyFeet/Legends NOVA teaching 2-6 year olds, and coach U9/U10 girls “travel” teams for an area club. I also volunteer for my neighborhood league as a coach and Age Group Coordinator. I have been following 3four3 for about a year as a silent reader. I am here because I want to stop bitching and start solving problems. I am really excited about this opportunity and learning with you all!
Cheers!!
My name is Jay Freymiller, I coach a U14 girls team in West Lafayette, IN. I am a senior at Purdue University, but this is already my fourth year of coaching club and high school soccer in the area.
I first visited 3Four3 after the U11 video went around. I don’t agree with everything, but the focus on excellence is a refreshing change from the usual drivel heard in English-language coaching discussions. I’m looking forward to strengthening and challenging my own methodology as I go through their material. The biggest influence on my coaching has been studying the methods of Marcelo Bielsa and Arsene Wenger.
I’m Andrew, 26 years old, and I am a coach in the small town of La Grande, Oregon. I am head coach of our BU14 team year round (3 years now) and during the winter I take on our BU12, GU12, and GU14 as well. I just moved from what was essentially a fill-in DOC position to vice president of the board for our county’s youth soccer, rec and club.
I am also an assistant coach for the women’s team at Eastern Oregon University and am fortunate to have found my mentor there who coaches possession-based soccer. When I first started coaching at the U14 level, the entrenched high school coach took me under his wing and tried to be my mentor. After a half season I realized he views the entire game differently than I do (his entire system and player selection is based off winning 50-50 battles) and phased him out. This season was my first learning under the head coach at the university and I learned a ridiculous amount of the “why” answers to a lot of the things I knew were correct and had been implementing on my BU14 team. It has helped me better explain things to my players and increase their decision making speed and abilities.
Looking forward to modifying the content and insights here to fit into my situation.
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