International Trips

Coach James Tours Spain with US Soccer

The US Soccer Federation recently invited some of their top A license coaches in the country to attend an International Soccer Education Tour to Madrid, Spain. Coach James was one of the coaches chosen to attend this event. While there he stayed at the City of Futbol which is home to the Spanish Soccer Federation. The coaches had an opportunity to witness first hand the inner workings of Getafe, Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid. They even had an opportunity to see Real Madrid play against Sporting Gijon at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The majority of the trip was spent visiting with, and listening to, some of the best coaches in Spain discuss their methodology on player development, team and player preparation for the season and the various exercises that can be implemented to achieve these objectives. The American contingent had an opportunity to visit the facilities of Getafe, Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid to view some of their teams play and train. They also had an opportunity to view and study their academies. Before the tour was over, the coaches had an opportunity to tour Madrid.

Coach James discusses his experience while in Spain as:

"I must admit my trip to Spain will forever change my life as a coach and teacher of the game of soccer. To be able to hear from some of the best coaches in Spain, which included the likes of Dr. Angel Vales (Asst. Coach Liverpool FC), Antoino Diaz (Real Madrid Director of Academy), Michel (Head Coach of Getafe), Gines Melendez (U-17 Men's National Team Coach) and Dr. Jose Luis Arjol was absolutely remarkable. All the coaches I met were consummate professionals with a passion for the game of soccer that was contagious. When I visited the various academies it was an eye opening experience for me.

I was extremely satisfied to see that I was on the right track but I was able to take away a few things that would certainly allow me to be better able to work with the academy players in SVA, the ODP program and the national team program. I would say that Dr. Jose Luis Arjol had the greatest impact on me because his methods for player development were very unique and will forever change my way of thinking when it comes to youth player development.

I was blown away by the facilities at The City of Futbol. To be able to see the Spanish national team coach almost every day was an awesome experience. The women's full national team, as well and the U-19's and U-17's, were also there for their mini camp and I took full advantage of that by attending all their sessions.

My trip to Spain will stay with me for the rest of my life. Not only is it an extremely beautiful country but the experiences I gained listening to the coaches I met and seeing them work with the players both on the first team as well as the kids from the age of six years-old was just priceless."

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