My Soccer Thoughts

The purpose of this page is to share my thoughts on all things soccer and especially coaching. It is my hope this will help focus and clarify my thinking and illicit thoughts and discussions with my fellow lovers of the Beautiful Game. 

Coach Less; Learn More

Author: Sam Hales- Published: 19 June 2022

As coaches, one of our goals is to help teach players to get better at the Beautiful Game. When we watch young players in a game or even in a practice, we can see so much in the way of skills and tactics that we want to “fix”. We can easily walk away from a game with a list of five or more…

Skills Training: A Foundation for Tactical Success and Player Development

Author: Sam Hales- Published: 02 June 2022

Long ago, when the mountains were young and the seas were just filled, I was a tank company commander. I was blessed by the Gods of War to command 14 tanks, and it was called a company. Ok, keep reading, I promise that this will get to soccer shortly. Have faith.

So, within a week or so…

What difference does the coach make?

Author: Sam Hales- Published: 23 April 2021

Tonight, I was given the blessing to have about two solid hours of drinking beer and thinking about soccer due to the fact that my friends all bailed on me and left me alone at our local watering hole. I decided that after getting my IPA and wonderful warm soft pretzel with cheese sauce, I would…