Cornfed Coaching

For the 3rd installment of the Iowa Soccer Symposium Mini-Series, we sat down with Lee Fletcher of The Coaching Manual! The Coaching Manual is an online platform that can help coaches and players further develop their soccer education with activities, presentations, videos and more all from high level coachs coming from some of the top teams in the world. Lee gives us more insight into what The Coaching Manual has to offer as well as some insight on his journey through coaching and how technology has impacted him. Great talk, give it a listen!

For the second installment of the Iowa Soccer Symposium mini-series, the Cornfed team sat down with the man who needs no introduction. One of the best soccer educators in the entire country, Ian Barker, joined us to chat about all things soccer. He gives great advice for young coaches starting their coaching journey as well as how more tenured coaches can stay sharp. We get a surprise guest from a local fan at the symposium, which was a Cornfed first, but we quickly jump back into the soccer talk. Enjoy this as much as we did recording. We were only slightly nervous for this one...

In the first installment of our Iowa Soccer Symposium mini-series we sat down with James Wagenschutz who is a performance coach now with the Colorado Rapids academy. He joins the Cornfed team to talk about how performances are tracked and how to get the best out of your players from a physicality level. He dives into some activities that you can do with your players and teams as well why it's important to start at an early age. This is a side of the game that is often looked over, however it is vitally important and we were thrilled that we could welcome James on to enlighten us and the listeners!

This week's episode the Cornfed Team was lucky enough to sit down with sports psychologist, Dan Abrahams and chat about the mental side of the game. Dan is a world-renowned sports psychologist who works with professional soccer players, golfers, ruby teams and many more to improve individual and team mentalities. Psychology is an often times overlooked aspect of the game, but Dan gives insight into why it is so important and the impact that a mental gameplan can make.

Be sure to check out more on Dan at his website:
danabrahams.com

There you can also find his books:
Soccer Tough (I and II)
Golf Tough
Soccer Brain

We want to sincerely thank Dan for taking the time to come on our podcast and chat about his work!

For this episode of Cornfed Coaching we talk with Dylan DeClerck who is the Executive Director of the non-profit youth organization Opportunity on Deck. OOD specializes in youth leadership and development, specifically with underprivileged kids. He started the organization a few years ago and they have grown ever since. It is a truly special organization and they impact so many lives. Give this conversation a listen to hear their story and how you can get involved!

Lindsey is the Drake Women's Soccer head coach and talks about her coaching journey, how the game has evolved and the recruiting process for families and players. She has been around the game in Iowa for a good amount of time and was on board with one of the very first Drake women's teams. She gives in-depth insight into the tasks of the job and the transition from assistant to head coach. She has built a very steady program that always competes for an MVC title and produces fantastic people off the pitch. Great conversation and great person!

One of the lads! This episode of Cornfed Coaching bids farewell from Des Moines to Matt Kenton. He has brought such positivity to the coaching community here and will be sorely missed. Kenton joins the Corned team to talk about his coaching journey and previews his new experience with Phoenix Rising. It's a great episode!

Ross Alexander sat down with us at the United Soccer Coaches convention in Baltimore, MD in between sessions to chat. Ross is originally from Scotland, came to Iowa to play and began his coaching career here as well. He talks us through the journey to Phoenix, AZ where he currently coaches for a professional organization. Ross loves the game and has a deep passion for coaching and educating. The last couple of years have been impactful for him and his journey and he gives us all the goods. He is a coach to watch, and this is a can't miss episode.

The Cornfed Coaching team is joined by Drake Women's Soccer assitant coach Kevin Brennan this week on the pod! Kevin talks about the recruiting process for Division I women and what some players are lacking when they take the step to the next level. He also gives insight to his time coaching youth in England at a top level academy. This one should be eye-opening to some players, parents and coaches as Kevin is very honest about what we need to do and what he sees missing from the American soccer game. It was a very fun and informative chat, don't miss out!

The Cornfed Coaching team kicks off the decade with a great episode! We sat down with Katie Naughton who plays in the NWSL for Houston Dash. She chats about her come up playing in her youth days, getting called in with the US Youth National Teams and her path to pro (including her recent trade from the Chicago Red Stars). This is a great episode for players and coaches wanting to get insight into what it takes to be a pro and what a normal day looks like. We had a blast and wish Katie all the best when she heads to Houston in a couple of weeks!