WYC 054 – Youth Soccer – Chris Stricker talks turning around a culture so kids believe they can win

What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Chris Stricker shares stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth sports coach.

Chris has been the Head girl's soccer coach of perennial powerhouse Coppell High School in Texas.  His accolades include: 7-time District Coach of the Year, 17 straight years of playoff appearances, 2009 and 2014 Texas 5A State Champions, 2009 NSCAA Texas Large School, Dallas Morning News, and  TASCO Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Organization Coach of the Year. Chris also has built one of the best soccer camps in the country.

Chris is married and has 4 children -  15 year-old son, 13 year-old twin sons, and a 11 year-old daughter.

Twitter: @stricker_soccer

Website/Camps: strickersoccer.com

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Quote

'As a coach - you can't be pulling the wagon by yourself.  If your best players are pulling the wagon - everyone is going to on board.'

Turning around the culture on a team

You have to instill the vision so the players believe they can win

Have them set goals - and every practice you're reminding them of what there goals are

HUGE IDEA #1

4 Pillars of the program:

CALI:

Commitment

Accountability

Love

Integrity

Establishing goals/guides

Break everything into relatable levels: Barclays level, National level, College.

HUGE IDEA #2

If your best players are your hardest workers - you're going to always have a good team:

'As a coach - you can't be pulling the wagon by yourself.  If your best players are pulling the wagon - everyone is going to on board.'

Every kid on the team needs to be crystal clear on what their role is on the team

Culture - Discipline/Rewards/Teambuilding

Everyone will be treated fairly, but that doesn't mean everyone will be treated equally

Teaching Skills

At the younger ages - the most important thing to teach is technique.  To keep the kids engaged you have to find creative ways to keep it fun.

An effective way to teach is have your most talented kids help teach the less talented kids.

The One that Got Away

Losing to their big rival the first 2 years, which kept them out of the playoffs.  But those losses were used as fuel

Favorite sports movies

When the Game Stands Tall

Miracle

Remember the Titans

Facing the Giants

Best Stolen idea

Jim Tressel - The Winners Manual - You have to invest in people

Lead for God's Sake - Todd Gongwer

Parting Advice

Don't try to be the kid's friends - be their teacher who cares about them

Have a plan

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