FCArmstrong

If you ever take a sneak peak inside my little notebook I have some sayings that I try to follow every day. I’ve spent enough years working on check lists, project lists, sales goals, support goals, estate documents, tax forms, export documentation, shipping directions, BIS license registration and government forms that I realized having a simple guide to steer through daily life was much easier.

This is my long winded response to what do I do if I have a child that loves soccer but I live in Armstrong, Mercer, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler or Beaver counties.

Start small

Play a lot

Make it local

Make it easy

Make it about building a community.

As a coach in a community that is outside of Allegheny County the best way to create a culture of soccer is by creating places to play and let the players learn from various forms of the game. In order to become a player who will likely play at a competitive level or in a Div. 3 College program these players need to find a way to play/train 4-5 times per week at least 60 minutes per session. In order to develop a healthy view of fitness and sport for life we a young player should play/train 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes. Community based soccer needs to be a blend of these players and continuously needs to work on skill development, experimentation, real time play and various versions of the 11 v 11 game. Futsal is a smaller game that can be played on tennis courts, ballfields, baseball infields, basketball courts. . .

In order to continue building my team, I’d create a regional open gym training program from November through May to support the development of high school level players.

• 1 x per week indoor team training at a gym/park. (futsal style)
• 1 x per week indoor skill development/ team training at a gym/park. (futsal style)
• 1 x per week open outdoor play day inviting friends from neighboring communities- pick up Sundays.
• 2 x per week weight training for overall muscular development
• 1 x per week yoga day to work on mind body connectin
• 1 x per week winter league play in a regional futsal league
• 1 game x week- Pa West Spring Season with 2 x per week training
• Pa West Open Tournament at Edinboro for team bonding, family fun at the dorms.
• 1 x per week June to August Mixed up Summer League drawn from local players outside of home team format utilizing a 7v7 format
• Referee Training and gear for any player who wants to be a USSF and PIAA Referee, funded by the club.
• Coaching Training with USSF for any players who want to help a U8 or U10 team, funded by the club.
• Incorporating current college players as mentors.