COACH - ROBERT MCEWEN
My coaching philosophy is to provide every individual with the opportunity to succeed in soccer, by having fun while developing the individual as a person, physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.
US Soccer D License and Cal South Certified Coach
4+ years of coaching youth soccer in USA & Ireland. 34 years playing
Focusing on positive psychological development
Live Scan
Safe Sport Cert
+ Safe and Healthy playing
Concussion Cert
Cardiac Cert
AS A COACH
My combined love for the game and pride in my teams has driven my ambition to continue to coach individuals to see them grow and develop. I run a neuroscience fitness startup from the UCSD Qualcomm Institute & a certified ISSA fitness trainer
AS A PLAYER / FAN
I have a love for the game that I have played and studied for 34 years in the USA, UK and Ireland. Growing up in Ireland, I was immersed in soccer as my father had a professional club soccer career in the UK
Certifications & Education
D License Coach
US Soccer and Cal South
Grassroots Playmaker Coaching
The FA
Grassroots Coaching
FAI
Certified Fitness Trainer
ISSA
MBA
UCD Ireland Graduate School of Business
Batchelor of Arts Business
Dublin Business School
Combining Brain Cognition & Soccer
Robert uses technology to help soccer players improve: reaction and response speed, spatial awareness, peripheral vision, cognitive processing, motor control and coordination.
Robert's Fit-Tech Startup
Practice & Game Strategy
Developing team selection and formations delivered in a way thats understandable to youths, based on the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals and the team - to foster an environment of fun, growth and learning.
2-3-1 is a great neutral formation with 2 alternating triangles, allowing for mistakes with a deeper defense. Transitioning to a 2-4-1 is also a great formation to dominate midfield via a diamond shape and allow a higher press.
Analyzing Methodology
I am always thinking about tactics and formations and keeping up to date with the latest practices from live games and multiple coaching sources.
Adapting to the changing conditions of a game are also essential where players are empowered to repond to situations such as working to keep a lead or respond after going a goal down.
Player Empowerment
The coaching manuals say that the 6-7 year olds level is to be considered "me and the ball", where players run through the middle and do not pass.
My coaching style questions that, based on the ability and development of the player and their team members. In this example, after 7 weeks with 6-7 year olds I was able to empower the players to work together and pass the ball down the wing.
Empowerment in action
In this video you can see how our players move into postion to receive the ball so there team mates can look for them and play a deliberate pass.
Here do we not only play wide into space but we pull the opposition out wide, while our well positioned attacker recieves and scores after a 4 pass move.
Performance Data
Regular feedback to parents is important based on individual strengths and weaknesses. This sets realistic expectations through data and analysis of the players and the team.
Good coaches regularly work with parents as they understand that player development is not only on the field but also at home and in social environments. Parents must understand that too much pressure can force youths away from the sport. This is especially relevant in todays environment.
By providing data and progress, parents can leverage this so feedback can change from critical to supportive and developmental.
