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Billy Sutherland here, Coventry Ohio. Just south of Akron.
I have coached youth soccer for 7 years from u9 thru u14 where my youngest son is currently.
This past fall, I was fortunate enough to assist Coventry High School where my oldest son just played his senior season and where my youngest will be attending next fall.
We were also very lucky to be introduced to true possesion based soccer watching Caleb Porter dominate college soccer at The University of Akron. Check out Akron’s “Death by 1000 passes” on youtube. What a revolation that coinsided with Barcalona becomming the gold standard of the soccer world.
Needless to say, Caleb became my guiding light to how I thought soccer should be played, sent my kids to his camps trying to get anything I could, actually became friendly with him.
Then I saw the u11 youtube video and became instantly hooked, followed the site and twitter feeds and was super syked that the coaching course is being offered.
I switched formations to the 4231 four seasons ago and this course will tie directly into that system even though it’s 433 based and I look forward to starting a thread about that very subject.
Thank you Brian and Gary, looking forward to stealing everthing I can from everyone here!
Hello everyone,
I’m Brian Robertson from Mississauga,Ontario, Canada.
I’ve been coaching competitive soccer in this area for about 20 yrs. Although born in Canada, I grew up very close to Brea, in Fullerton, Ca. Attended Fullerton Union High, and Claremont McKenna (then Claremont Men’s College) before repatriating.
I’ve coached on the girl’s side for the past 15 years, and have seen huge strides made in the women’s game. I’ve had some great mentors over the years, but all have been regrettably short term. There is an unfortunate dichotomy here in Canada, where you seem to be pegged as either “development” or “successful”,lol.
I like how you have demonstrated that both are possible.
Bottom line is that so much of Canadian women’s football is strictly based on athleticism and physicality.You can see it from our Women’s National Team, and the subsequent trickle-down effect.
I have just finished with the ’95 age group, and although happy to have won a Provincial Championship, there is still the realization that the quality put on the field was lacking in so many respects.
I now have a new batch of 12 yr olds and am seeking the methodology, and confidence in the methodology, to teach quick, intelligent, beautiful football to these girls.
They deserve it.
Looking forward to the tutelage of this site and this forum.
Hello Andrew and Chris,
Guessing Andrew is thinking of me as the person he met at the license course. I am actually in Aloha rather than Molalla. I am registered just haven’t had a chance to write an intro post. I will be doing that later tonight.
Wolfgang,
Let’s definitely meet up soon.
First to get the bio out of the way:
Wolfgang Hoffman, West side of Portland Oregon, Aloha to be specific. Started playing soccer when I was 5 years old back on Texas and have been playing non-stop for 38 years. Still play 4 times a week. Played college and at the semi pro level here in the USA which is nothing really to brag about. Spent time refereeing (don’t hold it against me) up to the college level. Started coaching back when I was 13 because we knew more than the parents so they asked us to coach the U8 kids. Got back into coaching about 15 years ago when my oldest started U6 kick and chase. Have been coaching ever since, partly because I can’t stand watching bad coaches coach my kids. But also because soccer is in my blood.
I have been an active participant on the blog for a while now and am excited to dive deeper and leverage the material that Gary and team are making available. I am looking forward to meeting many like minded coaches and individuals thru this interaction.
Twitter: @wolfganghoffman
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This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by
Wolfgang Hoffman.
Hey Andrew, just thought I would introduce myself since we are relatively close as I’m coaching up I-84 in the Tri-Cities. I’m always looking to connect with like-minded coaches so I might bug you to learn more about what you guys are doing at Eastern Oregon U.
Thanks,
JustinWow, this is fantastic. I feel like I’ve stumbled onto the Official Support Group of Passionate Coaches That Want to Play the Beautiful Game (that name’s a little wordy so I’ll work on that haha).
It’s been great reading everyone’s varied backgrounds so here’s mine: I’m a 37 year old father of two in Tri-Cities Washington that’s currently working at the club level (coaching U10 and administratively). I’ve been playing for 30+ years (knock on wood that I can continue) and coaching for 15, starting at the high school level and then working through recreational and now competitive. I’ve officially turned the corner of coaching interest into fanatical the last couple of years and have been pursuing licenses (currently at a “C”) and devouring everything online, especially 3four3.
So far, I’ve really enjoyed the content of the site because I find observing others is a great way to learn, especially someone like Brian who has so much experience. Likewise, these forums are a great way to connect with like-minded coaches, which has been a pleasant surprise. To that end, I’m always interested in connecting with coaches to chat, observe, etc…
Joga Bonito!
JustinHi Justin,
Glad to have someone so close to me! We’ve been playing in WSYSA District 6 the last few seasons with most of our games being at the complex in Pasco. The league might fold this spring, so I’m unsure if we’ll be playing in Washington or Portland this spring. You’re welcome to come drop in to one of my U14 sessions or at the university – we usually practice back to back. What league does your club play in? I’ve always wondered why there aren’t any Tri-Cities teams in the league anymore. There used to be tons back when I played in it 12 years ago.
-Andrew
Hey,
My name is Gabe Kleinert and I am living in New Wilmington, PA. I am in my 3rd year of being a coach and I am here to soak up as much information as I possibly can. I am the assistant women’s soccer coach at Westminster College (PA) and I am the head coach of the U16 and U17 girls at PA Crew. It is honestly a breath of fresh air to see possession soccer executed so well and to know that playing possession soccer is possible across all levels. I have watched and taken notes on all the videos and I must commend you for how you delivered each session. I am a big fan of choreography, receiving across your body, movement off the ball to create options for the player on the ball, and pressuring the ball to win it back. I am hoping to get a lot out of this membership by discussing topics and ideas with everyone. Thanks for the opportunity and I am excited to learn!
Gabe Kleinert
Hi, my name is Kevin and I live in Portland, Oregon. I am currently coaching U10 girls participating in player development leagues (5 years.) I have experience coaching girls recreation teams U06 through U10 (2 kids.) and some U11 boys/U12 girls competitive.
I look forward to the community discussion here. Already, some of my favorite questions are being asked.
Kevin
Marshall Duncan
I coach for a smaller club that is north of Nashville, TN. I am currently coaching a U12 Boys Silver level team. I have been coaching for almost 8 years. Grew up playing soccer since age 5 and fell in love with it as a kid and the love affair has continued as an adult.
Coaching is my passion and I love to do it. Learning about how to do it better and become a better coach is a non stop process for me. That is what led me to find 3four3 and their videos.
I have become much more diligent about teaching the “Why” and the “How” much more than I used to. It is so critical to have the players know “Why” they do what they are supposed to do. I am feel like I still have so much more to learn about both the “Why” and “How”.
I am anxious to roll up my sleeves and dig in to all this site has to offer.
My name is Paul Gruber (aka PG 19) and I coach a girls high school varsity soccer team in Carlisle, IA. I’ve been fortunate to start the program and helping establish the local small rec soccer club working with every age group and taking on many administrative duties. I first became aware of 3four3 as a result of watching the YouTube video of the U11 team in the summer of 2012 while attending a coaching course in IL. From that point on I have read every comment multiple times to hone my understanding of the craft of coaching soccer.
My goal has been to develop a team capable of playing soccer resembling what I see in FC Barcelona. My reasoning was centered on a belief that I do not control the level of athlete entering my program but I do have the ability to influence the quality and capability of their play. This site obviously was HUGE for me. As ridiculous as my goal was/is, having it helped steer my decision making along the way and even when I got something wrong (ex tactical training activities), there was enough “right” (ex technical excellence) to prove useful when I changed training activities.
I’m not afraid of getting something wrong and will try something out before I ask if its okay. Often when I attend a coaching course or license, I have the opportunity to sit amongst peers that have experiences running programs at colleges or playing professionally. There used to be a time when I came up that I would wince stating what/where I coached and my experience, but as time has gone by I have realized that I am a peer, attending the same level of course and to be proud of what I represent. Coaching soccer is my passion, something I often pay to do, and I look forward continuing my being a student of this craft. Look forward to the dialogue amongst my “peers”.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by
Paul Gruber.
Marco Bernal,
Vice Pres of the Riverside Futbol Club in Riverside Ca. I had the pleasure of getting my ass handed to me last year by Brian & Gary in a toirnament. Been following them & watching a few practices ever since. Looks like there will be a ciriculum change at my club.
Afternoon all,
My name is Shawn Daniels and I live just north of SLC. I grew up really playing little to no soccer at all and was oblivious to what it really was. I became enamored with the ’94 World Cup buildup and shortly after moved down to Brazil to experience the euphoria of their fourth world title and their immediate vision towards the penta-campeonato. To see the passion of the game and the influence of futbol everywhere was life changing. Since then I have kept up with the international game and traded in my NBA game passes for as many channels to watch high level European soccer as much as possible. Cue the wife sigh in the background.
Years later I find myself with a daughter who is 12 and a son who is 7 and both entrenched in the game. I am an Assistant Coach on my sons U8 team and have just the minimal licensing that is required. I find myself searching for a higher level of soccer and really my path isn’t to become the next Jose Mourinho, but to really help guide parents / players / coaches to a higher mindset. This Brek Shea approach to the game is really nauseating.
I stumbled onto the blog when I started to look into the Ben Lederman story and have been a serial lurker ever since (actually I have posted a couple of times mainly just to prod Dr Loco into a rant 🙂 ). We have been fortunate to assemble a pretty special group on the U8 team that is pretty dedicated and have had some small successes in the right direction. There is no question that this site will help in how I am trying to contribute at our location. Here is a quick look at the team earlier this year when they were U7 and playing 6 v 6. Still pretty choppy, but we are committed to teaching them the right way. Take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B16l-V29eo
I will follow some of you on twitter and look for ways to become better with our endeavors. Thanks in advance.
Eric-
I think it’s awesome that you realized these guys are doing something different and decided to jump on board… especially after losing to them! I feel like most coaches that my teams beat just look for ways to discredit our style, not actually understand it. They make fun of us, sometimes even mock us. It’s even worse when they beat us and ‘disprove’ us.
I’d love to hear more about your experiences against them.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by
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