Best coach for player development

Help: Who are the best coaches for your dad's development? Or does this not exist? It appears that most kids pay lots of money for a club coach, but have to go somewhere else and pay extra $$ for someone to actually train/develop them (05 to 08 age groups)

Coach Name
Club affiliation
Age groups coached
Email or cell contact info

I"m not sure my dad can develop much more, but if you mean for kids then.... lol just kidding.

I think you will get like 20 different answers on here. The bottom line is that kids respond well to many different coaches and coaching styles. Someone I think is the best, may not work for anyone else. Plus, things like geography (i.e. if you have to drive an hour each way to train) makes a big difference.

Club philosophy also makes a huge difference. if the club has built in training/skills sessions outside of regular practice, that can also be of benefit.

Bottom line is that you can't really simplify this question down to "who is the best for development?"

The first question I would ask is where do you live and how far are you willing to travel to train?

Age group would also help.

Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The_Dude wrote:Age group would also help.

For Age groups 05, 06 and 07's. if you need it simplified, let's say 06 and 07 girls:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find. If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

Trying to keep up wrote:

The_Dude wrote:Age group would also help.

For Age groups 05, 06 and 07's.  if you need it simplified, let's say 06 and 07 girls:

Perhaps Powerkick needs to join in on this, he thinks he has the best thing since sliced bread.  

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

I think it depends on what you mean by "maximize", the fact is if your DD wants to improve, 3 hours a week in a practice where the coach needs to teach all aspects of the game to an entire team, isn't enough. She either needs to take the focused drills they do (for a few minutes at practice) home and keep it going during the week or you get her a skills coach to give her drills to focus on whatever part of her game she wants to improve.
If she is only working on soccer at practice, that's great and she will improve, but I'd start a discussion about what she wants out of it. Soccer is fun and depending on your financial status, club soccer is a great outlet for your DD. But the key is discussing what she wants, what she is doing to get there and how you can help her get there.
As far as a coach, that is so subjective. It will depend on their relationship, the effort she puts out and what kind of a return the coach thinks he can get on his efforts. I'm sure there are crappy coaches out there, but every coach my DD has had has taught basically the same thing, just delivered the message differently. She has learned something important from all of them.

justapop wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

I think it depends on what you mean by "maximize", the fact is if your DD wants to improve, 3 hours a week in a practice where the coach needs to teach all aspects of the game to an entire team, isn't enough. She either needs to take the focused drills they do (for a few minutes at practice) home and keep it going during the week or you get her a skills coach to give her drills to focus on whatever part of her game she wants to improve.
If she is only working on soccer at practice, that's great and she will improve, but I'd start a discussion about what she wants out of it. Soccer is fun and depending on your financial status, club soccer is a great outlet for your DD. But the key is discussing what she wants, what she is doing to get there and how you can help her get there.
As far as a coach, that is so subjective. It will depend on their relationship, the effort she puts out and what kind of a return the coach thinks he can get on his efforts. I'm sure there are crappy coaches out there, but every coach my DD has had has taught basically the same thing, just delivered the message differently. She has learned something important from all of them.

spot on....great response!

I guess I am in the minority here. I don't do extra weekly skills with my 06. Her team keeps her plenty busy without that. I used to but haven't in the past 2 years.

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

Coach Name:  Adam Flynn
Club affiliation: Liverpool
Age groups coached: 03's, 05's & 07's
Email or cell contact info: adam.flynn@liverfcamerica.com/469-352-5396

Practice
07's - Mon/Wed, 5:30-7:00pm
05's - Tue/Thu, 5:30-7:00pm
03's - Mon/Wed, 7:00-8:30pm

Son_ofa_Pitch wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

Coach Name:  Adam Flynn
Club affiliation: Liverpool
Age groups coached: 03's, 05's & 07's
Email or cell contact info: adam.flynn@liverfcamerica.com/469-352-5396

Practice
07's - Mon/Wed, 5:30-7:00pm
05's - Tue/Thu, 5:30-7:00pm
03's - Mon/Wed, 7:00-8:30pm

So none of Flynns girls do ANY work on the ball away from him because he covers all aspects of the game and touches needed in 3 hours per week?

Ever watched the squaty potty commercials with the unicorn.... lol

That's not what the OP was asking for.. I only know of one player on his 03's that do outside skills from practice.. Not sure about his other team players.

Son_ofa_Pitch wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

Coach Name:  Adam Flynn
Club affiliation: Liverpool
Age groups coached: 03's, 05's & 07's
Email or cell contact info: adam.flynn@liverfcamerica.com/469-352-5396

Practice
07's - Mon/Wed, 5:30-7:00pm
05's - Tue/Thu, 5:30-7:00pm
03's - Mon/Wed, 7:00-8:30pm

bahaha, they said technical development not whack it wide and put in the mixer.  this is about as realistic as their RAISE program or their LP America field.  

development and technical are not words that go together here in NTX.  Good luck with your search

I bet there is someone wanting this for very age. I would love to hear for 01s and 02s. The teams I have seen growth in the girls over the years now have large rosters/limited openings.

This is great info...thanks to all for your opinions. Please keep them coming. It's interesting to see the confirmation that there's not many clubs/coaches in NTX that develop or have the passion to develop their players as part of the club fees...they want them to develop, but you have to pay extra $$'s to someone else for that.

Also, if you know of some great soccer trainers/programs that are reasonably priced, please advise.

It is NOT POSSIBLE for any coach to fully develop a player in 3 hours of training per week.

There are so many intangibles that go into a player developing...

Any parent that expects that is delusional and any coach that preaches that is just lying....

A list of trainers in Dallas is easy, a list of coaches is easy... fully developing as a player... not easy and takes a combination of a lot of things, including hard work which no amount of money can buy.

AtThePitch wrote:It is NOT POSSIBLE for any coach to fully develop a player in 3 hours of training per week.

There are so many intangibles that go into a player developing...

Any parent that expects that is delusional and any coach that preaches that is just lying....

A list of trainers in Dallas is easy, a list of coaches is easy... fully developing as a player... not easy and takes a combination of a lot of things, including hard work which no amount of money can buy.

Well said..

hetlevenisvoetbal wrote:

Son_ofa_Pitch wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:

Sho'Nuff wrote:Are you looking for a coach that can maximize individual technical development in the two 1.5 hour weekly team practices?

The answer is YES, if that's realistic to find.  If so, I want to know who this coach is...as he's providing something that most coaches I've encountered don't.

Coach Name:  Adam Flynn
Club affiliation: Liverpool
Age groups coached: 03's, 05's & 07's
Email or cell contact info: adam.flynn@liverfcamerica.com/469-352-5396

Practice
07's - Mon/Wed, 5:30-7:00pm
05's - Tue/Thu, 5:30-7:00pm
03's - Mon/Wed, 7:00-8:30pm

bahaha, they said technical development not whack it wide and put in the mixer.  this is about as realistic as their RAISE program or their LP America field.  

development and technical are not words that go together here in NTX.  Good luck with your search

You know, there is always at least one (place sh*t emoji here) in the crowd!

This is a good question that seems to resurface every year about this time as parents start the process of positioning their daughters for next season.

In my opinion everything starts with your daughter and more specifically what her goal is (no matter how outrageous that goal might be).  

Once you have a good grasp on that you can start your research into coaches, clubs, programs and league offerings.  

Every time my daughter switched clubs or teams I spent months if not more watching that coaches other teams play games and once we narrowed it down she practiced and in some cases guest played with that coach until she and I agreed it was the best fit to match her goals.  

All that to say go watch them run a training, watch them coach a competitive game (rival teams isn't always good for displaying character)

Good luck

FriscoSoccer2004 wrote:This is a good question that seems to resurface every year about this time as parents start the process of positioning their daughters for next season.

In my opinion everything starts with your daughter and more specifically what her goal is (no matter how outrageous that goal might be).  

Once you have a good grasp on that you can start your research into coaches, clubs, programs and league offerings.  

Every time my daughter switched clubs or teams I spent months if not more watching that coaches other teams play games and once we narrowed it down she practiced and in some cases guest played with that coach until she and I agreed it was the best fit to match her goals.  

All that to say go watch them run a training, watch them coach a competitive game (rival teams isn't always good for displaying character)

Good luck

Great advise Friscosoccer2004! I'm loving all the public and private messages. Good stuff!

I think it's generally true that if you start learning the fundamental skills earlier you will become a better player.  The "golden age of learning" for soccer technique is said to end around 12/13.  After that it becomes much harder to acquire muscle memory skills.  

There are always exceptions in life.  I know kids who have had good training from a young age but are still not good soccer players.  There are innate attributes (physical, mental, etc) that are needed - training alone isn't enough. If you compare someone like this with someone who takes up the sport much later but who is athletic and gifted in terms of learning soccer, then you could say that it's possible to be better than someone who trained all their life.

So, if you compare like with like, those who take up the sport/skills at a younger age will almost certainly be the better players.  I have no doubt that Messi wouldn't be the player he is today if he only started playing soccer at 15/16.

Practice makes perfect - By Geoffrey Colvin

"The best people in any field are those who devote the most hours to what the researchers call "deliberate practice." It's activity that's explicitly intended to improve performance, that reaches for objectives just beyond one's level of competence, provides feedback on results and involves high levels of repetition.

For example: Simply hitting a bucket of balls is not deliberate practice, which is why most golfers don't get better. Hitting an eight-iron 300 times with a goal of leaving the ball within 20 feet of the pin 80 percent of the time, continually observing results and making appropriate adjustments, and doing that for hours every day - that's deliberate practice."

The skeptics
"Researchers also note, for example, child prodigies who could speak, read or play music at an unusually early age. But on investigation those cases generally include highly involved parents. And many prodigies do not go on to greatness in their early field, while great performers include many who showed no special early aptitude.

Certainly some important traits are partly inherited, such as physical size and particular measures of intelligence, but those influence what a person doesn't do more than what he does;"

Son_ofa_Pitch wrote:

AtThePitch wrote:It is NOT POSSIBLE for any coach to fully develop a player in 3 hours of training per week.

There are so many intangibles that go into a player developing...

Any parent that expects that is delusional and any coach that preaches that is just lying....

A list of trainers in Dallas is easy, a list of coaches is easy... fully developing as a player... not easy and takes a combination of a lot of things, including hard work which no amount of money can buy.

Well said..

As they say... There's a first time for everything...





JUST KIDDING ATP!!!! Couldn't resist the fat one thrown over the center of the plate...

In my opinion there is no one coach that can do it all. Not enough time in the week at practice. I guess I'm lucky my DD doesn't take outside lessons.  She finds drills on youtube and does them on her own twice a week.  In my opinion if they have the work ethic and drive that is more important than spending tons of $$$ for outside lessons and half a$$ effort cause she isn't all in.  Whether she sticks with soccer or not learning good work ethic will be a life lesson and that's what its all about.   If she keeps playing high school, college, etc. great.  If not she can be successful in whatever she decides to do if she knows how to work at it and what it takes.