Some Highlights of the Program:

• Sterling, near perfect, Sportsmanship is the ONLY Way to Win, Lose, or Tie

• Positive Reinforcement Builds and WINS – Negativity Loses.

• Choose high quality players, but not, necessarily, the flashiest.  11 hard-working team-oriented players are preferred to 2 arrogant superstars and 9 underachievers.

• Possess the ball, and the other team cannot score.

• Attack with Wing Play, widen the field, and PASS, the ball is ALWAYS faster than the man.

• Emphasize superior conditioning and finish opportunities.

• Best Players Play.  Great players can only become so by playing.

• Rosters that are too large result in players sitting for long periods of time, which is bad for everyone, especially the players!  Rosters that are too small result in injuries.  Thus, coach from the "bottom of the roster up" to ensure that everyone plays enough time to develop but not so much that they breakdown.  This is what the "yin and the yang" is all about - Balance is the key!

• Challenge each player, regardless of ability, to play above themselves.  A rising tide raises all ships!

• The Holy Grail is DYNAMIC SWITCHING – a phenomenon in which virtually every player on the pitch feels comfortable, and feels empowered, to switch, during the course of play, with his/her teammate.

• Reward Creativity!  Reward Creativity!  Reward Creativity!

• Great Assistant Coaches Bring Great Depth.

• Sweat the Details; including practice design, set pieces, throw-ins, bench behavior, warm-ups, etc…

• Never practice using static, standing lines.

• All Conditioning is done with the ball, but nothing develops the "hams" like a steep, short hill.

• Practice the KISS method in all things.

• Empower the Players – remember the proverb:  catch a man a fish, he will eat once – teach him to fish, he will eat for life.

• Build Consensus – the TEAM is far more than the players.  Develop efficient, open communication with parents, teachers, staff, administration, and the community.  Gain Buy-In to the long-term plan from the Beginning!

• Build and execute a long-term plan, including college and advanced play.

• There can only be One Head Coach.

• In everything, remember, remind, and live that, in the end, it is all about the game – The Most Beautiful Game.  If there is no “love” for the game, all else is pointless.