Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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Coaching Education

Get 2025 Off to a Great Start By Taking the “C” Coaching Course

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

January 3, 2025-Soccer coaches can unleash their potential in the New Year when the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) hosts the “C” Coaching Course in the Hudson Valley.

“This is a great course that is a vital stepping stone for those that wish to move onto the B and A courses,” commented Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching for Eastern New York. “The C is the foundation of all high-level licenses and is full of vital teaching strategies and game concepts.“

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be currently coaching and have held a National “D” License for a minimum of one year or meet the waiver guidelines.

This “C” course and first-class curriculum is designed for coaches working with players ages 13 and up. The course encompasses the various tasks of the coach, including training sessions, coaching games, leading players, leading the teams and managing a performance environment plus vital theory sessions on periodization and principles of play with field sessions. There is both an instruction/development period and an assessment period.

Capelli Sports Complex, 2 Tetz Road, Chester, NY 10918

Course opening webinar: January 19, 7:00 to 8:30 pm

In-person meetings, a mix of field and classroom sessions: February 25-28

Course closing webinar: May 4, 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Register here

The fee is $1,650 and registration needs to be through the US Soccer Digital Learning Center. Any questions can be directed to Eastern New York’s Director of Coaching Tim Bradbury

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

The Holidays Are a Time to Say “Thank You!”

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

I take great care and pride in the efforts I make to lead players and teams in a holistic way. I’m completely aware that although many of them may not become great players who play professionally or at college, they all may become great people who play for life, coach one day and become active responsible adults. I spend time learning about my players’ lives outside of the game, how they are doing at school, how family life is going and I attempt to display a genuine interest in their likes and dislikes.

As I coach a good number of teenage players, I frequently talk to them about how they are helping their families and what they do to actually support dad, mom, brothers and sisters. Are they a positive member of the family community or are they purely wrapped up in their own needs? The conversation starts with how they perform and act at practice. The challenge I present to all the players I coach is stressed with the following questions:

“Can you be the player who most impacts a practice and ensures that the learning environment is good for all? Can you be the first one in? Can you be the most coachable player in the group? Can you be the one who most helps with equipment? Can you be the player who notices a teammate is down and gives them a word of inspiration or comfort?”

I work hard to make them aware that the mission above should be their number one priority and that if I can get all 18 to place it as their core mission, we will soon have a team that makes remarkable progress.

Another of the core values that I work on with players is respect. The team dynamic is that we respect each other, we respect the refs, we respect the parents and all the work they do so that players get to train and play. Part of this culture that deals with respect is saying, “Thank you.” I encourage them to thank each other at the end of each game and practice, thank the refs at the end of each game, and of course thank their parents at the end of the drive home. I ask them all to try and display their thanks by helping at home by doing something around the house that helps the family.

It seems appropriate at this time of year to once again encourage a few thank-you notes (Jimmy Fallon-like). So not just because it’s the holiday season but also because it’s just the right thing to do I encourage all:

Players to thank your parents for the endless hours spent driving you to practice and games while remembering not to shout orders to you as you play.

Parents to thank coaches for their efforts in developing your child even though they didn’t win as many games as you thought they should have and have yet to recognize your child is next Messi.

Coaches to thank club officials and administrators for all their efforts even if the biggest space you got to train in was really only suitable for 3v3 and you got the 9:00-10:30 pm slot on a Friday.

Coaches to thank referees for the courage they show in turning up game after game knowing they will be subjected to endless, ridiculous comments shouted at the top of their voices from an adult who never kicked a ball.

Coaches to thank the refs who forget to give you and the players the 5-minute speech on when and where substitutes may enter the game like they are sharing some news on a new discovery in creating energy.

Coaches to tournament organizers who remember that we live in the Northeast of the US and that winter along with frigid temperatures arrives at about the same time every year. They also should be thanked for remembering how it feels to play outside when the real feel is so harsh you lose the feeling in your toes after five minutes.

And lastly but most importantly

Players to parents who spend the car ride home listening to loud Christmas music and in so doing forget to share the latest postmortem on your performance in the game.

Best wishes to everyone,

Tim