US CLUB SOCCER 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 Federation C License and Cal South Certified Coach
6+ years of coaching youth soccer in USA & Ireland. 20 years playing
Focusing on positive psychological development and cognition
PRIVATE LESSONS
Certified Personal Trainer
Safe Sport Cert & Live Scan
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. My specialization is "First touch". Everything a player does on the ball revolves around the first touch. It is a true fundamental of the game that allows players to be better setup for “what’s next?” Run into space, a pass or a shot. I currently coach club kids 2016, 2010 and 2012 and I work with individuals all the way to high school, college and pro. My style of play is 'quick passing, getting open into space". I run a neuroscience fitness startup from the UCSD Qualcomm Institute & I am a certified ISSA fitness trainer.
AS A PLAYER / FAN
I have a love for the game that I have played and studied for 30+ years in the USA, UK and Ireland at club, high school, college and semi-pro. Growing up in Ireland, I was immersed in football (soccer) as my father had a professional club soccer career in the UK. Below are some of the many photos on matches I have attended/played in.
Certifications & Education
C 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.
I experiment and adapt using different fomrmations based on the needs of the game and the players. Typically I promote counter-attacking game models from midfield via a diamond shape.
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 within the 4 phases of play.
Player Empowerment
The coaching manuals say that youth level soccer is to be considered "me and the ball", where players run through the middle and do not pass.
Even at the toungest levels 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 number 9 should be higher to help us achieve the goal of switching the play to the available left mid player.
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.
