With 15 years of experience in the field of education at the high school and college level and over 40 years of combined experience both playing and coaching soccer, I view coaching from the role of a player and a teacher. For me, soccer is a cognitive game that requires thinking, decision-making, creativity, reflection, and vision. It is a game that can teach us about life, the interconnectedness of teamwork, the benefit of a growth mindset, and the importance of constructive communication. As a player, a coach, a soccer parent, and a lifelong student of the game, I have experienced a variety of coaching styles, philosophies, and methodologies surrounding player development. I believe that the role of a coach is to create a transformative learning environment where holistic development transcends the sport to evolve the whole person. I believe that teaching and learning are at the core of holistic player development and therefore are at the core of our TALA Soccer Training methodology.  It is even at the core of our name TALA, a "Teaching And Learning Academy."

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At TALA Soccer Training our sessions are individually designed on principles learned through a continuous pursuit of evidence-based research, professional coaching licensure, professional development, and by building relationships with our players and families. I am fortunate to have learned from the United States Soccer Federation, United Soccer Coaches, the English Football Association, TOVO Institue, the Scottish Football Association, US Youth Soccer, NFHS, a Master's Degree in Education from The College of Saint Rose and various other education based and soccer-specific organizations. At TALA, we see coaching as an act of teaching where our players are the students and the field is our classroom. To best facilitate the learning environment, TALA is dedicated to meeting each player where they are at in their stage and phase of development. The game of soccer is complex and continues to grow and evolve within the technical, tactical, physical, social, and cognitive pillars of the game. As our players continue to learn and develop and improve their soccer knowledge, skills, and awareness on the field, TALA Soccer coaches are equally as committed to continue to learn, and develop, and improve our coaching methodology, philosophy, and education in the field of teaching and learning. 

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It is my belief that player development benefits from a dynamic coaching relationship rooted in a positive, supportive, and challenging environment that seeks to optimize effort by creating internal transformative motivation in connection with a passion for learning and playing the game. Our main goal while working with players at TALA Soccer Training is to provide an educational soccer environment where players come to learn, develop, and improve holistically. Each training session is designed to provide the player(s) with takeaway and application points that can be translated into the larger context of the game and practiced independently on and off the field. 

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TALA Soccer Training provides a supportive community environment where players and families of all ages, from all backgrounds, and all ability levels can learn the game of soccer through the challenge and support of professionally licensed and trained coaches. Through our cognitive approach to holistic player development rooted in the principles of teaching and learning, it is our goal to assist each player in reaching their full potential both on and off the field. I look forward to working together to assist you in the identification and achievement of your goals.

Be well.

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Coach Jeff