Since moving to North America – after I retired – I’ve been involved more and more with the training and development of younger players. During my time at Chester City FC in the North West of England at the turn of the century I was Director of Youth Football, overseeing huge changes there. United fans will maybe know that I set up “United FC” in Texas some years back; that has since closed as I moved back to Florida.
However, I retained my passion for the development of youngsters in the North American game and as such I remain heavily involved around the country. I am presently a technical advisor at Cleveland United Soccer Club who are a top girls and boys club in Cleveland, Ohio, owned by former Red Star player Joe Raduka and his son Mark, and I am also partner in “One on One Soccer” and I wanted to share a little bit more of what I do with One on One with you today, about what we do and what the program offers.
One on One Soccer is a fully professional training program which develops quality players in a competitive environment to prepare club players for college and the professional world. We work through a number of stages from age four right through to the age of 22 and not only concentrate on their development on the field but off it too. Ethics and values and developing young players as people too is very much something that is of utmost importance to us – helping to develop players to be in as strong a position as possible to try and achieve the very top of their potential. There are four key areas I like to think are the most important in a players development, which are technical, tactical, physical and psychological and One on One Soccer provides the perfect development environment to cater for it all.
There are a number of different programs and camps run by One on One Soccer which begin prior to the arrival of the clubs, teams and individuals as we learn more about the people we will be working with, to ensure a tailor made and totally unique development experience catering to the specific needs of every player. There are specific programs for goalkeepers with the experience of Todd Hoffard, the founder and national director, who has enjoyed a successful career as both player and coach, as well as the high quality environment for the outfield players too.
We have team camps, college camps for players ready to go to college where college scouts will come in and have a look at them, day camps and winter camps too.
One on One Soccer as a company has been in operation for twenty years and former players such as Lee Sharpe, Allan Neilson and Earl Barrett have worked for the organisation to help give it the great reputation it has today, while Terry Phelan has also been a huge influence. We also use coaches from colleges and universities to understand what they are looking for. We pride ourselves on our professionalism. Now, having just come on board, I hope to continue the fine tradition and put my own ideas in to the evolution of the game at grass roots level in the United States.
Having spent so much time involved with the North American game I am convinced that One on One Soccer is a significant step forward towards developing a culture of excellence and instilling that in teams and groups of younger people. You can learn more about the people who work for One on One Soccer by clicking here and you can learn more about the various programs we run and what we offer by clicking here – contact Todd for more general information at todd@oneononesoccer.com .
There are many different programs that cater for different aspects but I feel that One on One Soccer is not only at the forefront of what we are doing but also cover a wider range and offer the most comprehensive training environment of its kind to clubs, colleges and players alike. With my experience of developing kids in both England and America I know that they all have the same aspirations, all want to reach the very top of the game, and I can honestly say that nothing gives me greater pleasure now, with all my experience, than to see a youngster come through and reach his potential either as a player, achieving his college scholarship or becoming a professional player.