2022 Session Descriptions
2022 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
The 2022 United Soccer Coaches Convention & US Youth Soccer Workshop features an extensive education program of in-person education, including 225 education sessions led by top-end coach educators, Ph.D. holders, high-level coaches, and more. Browse the 2022 Convention sessions below. The full schedule for this year’s event will be released exclusively on the event mobile app, coming later this year.
Use the links below to jump straight to the sessions you’d like to learn more about.
SPECIAL TOPICS
DIPLOMAS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CERTIFICATES
OTHER THEMES AND SUNDAY ONLY TOPICS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Developing A Framework For Your Analysis And Identifying Key Metrics
Ian Donnelly / Ash Wallace
Lecture | All Levels
This session will provide a framework for individual and team analysis and identify key metrics to analyze.
Data Analytics: Better Understanding Performance Through Data
David Tenney
Lecture| All Levels
Data Analytics is a fast-growing area of the game. In this session, we will explore how data can be utilized to enhance individual and team performance at all levels of the game.
Integrating Analysis Effectively Into Your Coaching Program
Trevor Gorman / Brandon Salway / Lauren Sinacola / Nimai Parmar
Panel
Our panel will share how they use video and data analysis to maximize individual player development and team performance and Nimai Parmar will outline potential career paths for those with a specific
Harnessing Video & Data Analysis Technology
Lauren Sinacola / Tom Gardner / Kevin Gowrie
Panel| All Levels
The use of video and data analysis technologies is now widespread. Our panel will share how they harness different tools to support player and team development.
Strategies for Better Understanding Coaching Behavior
Dr. Chris Cushion / Dr. Stephen Harvey / Anadi Taylor
Roundtable| All Levels
This session follows the Analyzing Coaching Behavior lecture and provides ‘hands-on’ opportunities to analyze key coaching behaviors in an objective and quantifiable way.
Context is Everything In Analysis - Generating Insightful Performance Data
Ian Donnelly / Tom Gardner
Lecture | All Levels
In this ‘hands-on’ session we will explore how we can identify and measure key performance indicators.
Analyzing Coaching Behavior: Developing Coaching Practice and Coach Education Interventions
Dr. Chris Cushion
Lecture| All Levels
It is important that we try to better understand our own coaching behavior. This session explores how we can gather detailed and contextualized data about specific coaching behaviors.
Maximizing The Value of Your Analysis
Tom Gardner
Lecture
We know that analysis can have a crucial role to play in the development of both individual players and teams – but how do we maximize that value?
Opposition Analysis - Gaining a Crucial Edge
James Krause / Brian McLaughlin / Ian Donnelly
Lecture| All Levels
This session will set out a framework for analyzing opposition and identify key metrics that help us better understand performance.
Data, Data Everywhere! Maximizing The Value Of The Physical Data (GPS) We Gather
David Tenney
Lecture| All Levels
The aim of this session is to help us better understand the GPS data generated and examine how we can maximize its value within our coaching programs.
WELLNESS ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY PLAYER
Stages of Development- U.S. Soccer Player Development Framework
Zac Crawford
Lecture | Grassroots, Competitive
Children go through distinct periods of development as they grow from infants to young adults. A framework helps ensure that players at every age and stage of their development have access to the most appropriate training and playing environments to support a positive sport experience and fulfill their (soccer) potantial.
Reconceptualizing Youth Player Development: Introducing a Contemporary Player Learning In Development Framework
Mark O’Sullivan
Lecture| Grassroots, Competitive
Tuning in to the Practice Environment to Support Learning in Development
Mark O’Sullivan
Field Session| Grassroots, Competitive
Female Factor
Jess Freemas
Lecture | All Levels
Supporting Your Athletes in Developing Self-Leadership
Jay DeMerit
Lecture| All Levels
Self-discovery & self-leadership go hand in hand when it comes to developing players in a well-rounded way. Having one of the most unique stories in professional soccer, Jay will share his journey to the World Cup and explain some of the personal practices he used along the way. Utilizing those experiences, he will also teach coaches best practices about his Rise x Shine program and how it changes the game in youth development.
Health, Wellness & Performance: Nutrition, Meditation, Yoga and More
Chioma Atanmo / Staci Wilson / Samantha Lofton
Panel | All Levels
Learn why, how, and when to incorporate nutrition, meditation, yoga, and other rest practices for recovery into your soccer programming.
Team Culture: Creating a Sense of Community Among Your Players (and Parents)
Eric Legg, Ph.D.
Roundtable| Grassroots, Competitive
In this interactive session, participants will learn practical, specific tips for creating a strong sense of community among their players and parents.
Ethical Intelligence - Safe Sport, Player Emotional Safety and More
Alison Kocoras
Roundtable| Grassroots, Competitive
Join us for a presentation designed to help you understand how you can report and prevent abuse in soccer. We will use real-world scenarios to demonstrate how and when coaches are required to report allegations of abuse and we will review policies and practices established by U.S. Soccer and the Center for SafeSport to prevent abuse from occurring in our sport.
Utilizing Player Monitoring Towards Maximizing Wellness and Development
John Cone, Ph.D., CSCS
Roundtable| Competitive
Focus in this session will be on an interactive discussion regarding monitoring player wellness and the use of data to educate the player, and maximize their development.
Coaching Athletes with Anxiety and Mental Health Concerns
Ryan Defilbaugh, LCPC
Lecture| All Levels
In this presentation, we will take an in-depth look at anxiety and how it affects your players. Coaches will walk away with an understanding on how to identify an athlete dealing with anxiety as well as strategies to help their athletes respond in a productive manner to maximize performance on and off the field.
Emotional Intelligence for High Performance in Coaching
Sarah Kivel
Roundtable| All Levels
As coaches, your emotions not only impact your own performance but also affect the performance of your athletes. In this session, you will learn how to apply the leadership skills of emotional intelligence to elevate your coaching and strengthen the relationships with your athletes. As a result, not only will you become a more effective leader, but you will motivate and inspire your athletes to be their best, both on and off the soccer field.
A Coach's Guide to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Skye Eddy
Spotlight| All Levels
ATTACKING TRANSITION AND SCORING GOALS
Six Small Sided Games to Teach Transition
David Newbery
Field Session | All Levels
This session will address attacking tempo, maintaining attacking possession following a stop, movement to attacking shape quickly, principles of defending, attacking with defense in mind, communication codes to create alignment.
Applying Complex Tactics to Your Team
Erik Oman
Field Session | All Levels
This session will cover knowing your audience, communicating where your players can connect with the message, making ideas “Sticky”, the lowest common denominator theory, and developing relationships between players on the field.
Creating the Six Million Dollar Man - Recruitment
David Newbery
Lecture | All Levels
Individual player development plan, – Demonstrating individual growth in a team-oriented environment, – Branding of coaches, club, and players, – Empowering players and parents and shifting the locus of control, – Vital role of technology in proving our value and expertise, This session will set out a framework for analyzing opposition and identify key metrics that help us better understand performance.
Team and Player Feedback
Neil Hull
Lecture | All Levels
How do you define effective feedback? How do you measure it? Different styles of feedback. Tools to improve feedback.
Effective Communication: It's Power in Transitions
Neil Hull
Field Session | All Levels
Coaching individual & team transition through effective communication. The session will be 90% focused on the Psych/social pillar of the game, It will be progressively trained through 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 models in a possession format then tested in a highly transitional shooting environment. Finally tested through observation, silence, and the use of resets.
Attacking Transition: Playing Off Highest Man
Bobby Muuss
Field Session | All Levels
This field session covers movements and running in transition off the highest player, body position and getting faces forward, third man running and getting numbers in the box, importance of highest players layoff, and/or ability to turn and get faced forward. This session will be focused on getting forward quickly and playing off the highest player in transition.
Attacking Transition: Creating "A-Pass"
Nathan Williams
Field Session | All Levels
The moment to make the space bigger and running in behind.
Principals of Play - Scoring in Transition From Any Formation
Erik Oman
Lecture | All Levels
Good defensive shape leads to good attacking shape, defending with a purpose, depth to defend and depth to attack, creating width to create seams, and mobility made clear.
Creating a Team (Club) Terminology
Nathan Williams
Lecture | All Levels
Why creating a team terminology is a necessity for player development.
Attacking Transition Principles and Habits that Shape our Identity
Nathan Williams
Lecture | All Levels
Roles of players in transition, triggers and cues for running or turning, simple attacking principles that allow us to form our game model, understanding the WHY’s is the key to the overall success and forming a playing identity.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPING THE COMPLETE FEMALE PLAYER
Incorporating on Field S, C, A, and E Training
Dawn Scott
Field Session | All Levels
Application of Research in Female Physiology
Georgie Bruinvels
Lecture | All Levels
Building a Winning Culture
Emma Hayes
Lecture | All Levels
Communication and Feedback - What Works
TBA
Roundtable | All Levels
MFA - From Each of These Successful Collegiate Coaches
Shields / McNeil / Roberts / Van Dyke / Kaufman
Roundtable | All Levels
Mitigate Risk of Injury and Return to Play
Joelle Muro / TBA
Panel | All Levels
Best Practices to Support Mental Well-Being
Colleen Hacker
Lecture | All Levels
Youth Soccer Development Current Practice
Lesle Gallimore / TBA
Panel | All Levels
COUNTER ATTACKING AND COUNTER PRESSING
GOALKEEPING
GK Development: Creating the Youth GK Environment (Field)
Jason Grubb
Field Session | Youth
Cooperation Between the Head Coach, Other Staff, and Goalkeeper Coach (Field)
Frans Hoek
Field Session | All Levels
Female GK Coaches: The Rewards and Challenges
Ali Lipsher / TBA
Panel | All Levels
GK Development: Creating the Youth GK Environment (Lecture)
Jason Grubb
Lecture | Youth
Cooperation Between the Head Coach, Other Staff, and Goalkeeper Coach (Lecture)
Frans Hoek
Field Session | All Levels
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES
YOUTH COACH
Youth Game Model Development-The Rush Way
Chris Panayotou
Lecture | Youth
Developing Field Awareness for Youth Players
Samantha Snow
Field Session | Youth
Switching It Up
Mike Freitag
Lecture | Youth
Getting Them to "Do" the Work
Dr. Fritz Ettl / Dr. Rob DiBernardo
Lecture | Youth
Herding Cats, How to Survive
Ian Mulliner
Field Session | Youth
Goalkeepers Included
Eric Oman
Lecture | Youth
Physical Preparation and Qualities for the Youth Soccer Player
Staci Wilson
Field Session | Youth
Implementing Autonomy Supportive Coaching Practices
Vince Ganzberg
Field Session | Youth
Combinations-What's Needed in the Youth Game?
Deb Raber / Kristin Shaw
Field Session | Youth
Technical Tools for the Youth Soccer Player
Isang Jacob
Field Session | Youth
CLUB LEADERS
What if Parents Are the Key to Club Success?
Chris Price
Lecture | All Levels
DEI Session with DOC Diploma
Nefertiti Walker
Lecture | All Levels
Human Resources 101: Your Club is in the People Business
Jeff McClure / Jill Meshekow
Lecture | All Levels
How to be an Effective Club Leader Today
Sue Ryan
Lecture | All Levels
Managing Your Club Executive Career as a Business
Mike Curry / Rob Smith
Lecture | All Levels
Navigating Challenges of Club Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances
Louise Waxler / Mike Curry
Lecture | All Levels
How a Lawyer Can Save Your Club Time, Money and Headaches
Steve Gans / Louise Waxler
Lecture | All Levels
Data Magic: Finding the Numbers That Really Matter
Aaron Nagel
Lecture | All Levels
How to Make Culture the Core of Your Club's Success
Jim Paglia
Lecture | All Levels
Flourish With Smarter Strategic Planning
Warren Mersereau
Lecture | All Levels
What Happens to Your DREAMERS Now?!
Mirella Ceja-Orozco
Lecture | All Levels
ASSISTANT COACH
Understanding and Managing Team Performance Anxiety and Stress
Dr. Tiffany Jones
Lecture | All Levels
Strategies for Connecting and Coaching this Generation
Theresa Beeckman
Lecture | All Levels
Career Choices: Choosing Experince Over Titles
Becky Burleigh / Sara Lowden
Lecture | All Levels
The Conflict Toolkit - How to Master Difficult Conversations
Celia Slater / Theresa Beeckman
Lecture | All Levels
The DISC Assessment: A Tool for Self and Social Awareness as a Leader
Becky Burleigh
Lecture | All Levels
Developing and Training the Foundational Skills for Mental Toughness
Dr. Tiffany Jones
Lecture | All Levels
The Role of the Assistant Coach in Developing Team Culture
Theresa Beeckman
Lecture | All Levels
The Qualities of a Great Assistant Coach
Celia Slater / Bill Beswick
Lecture | All Levels
How to Build Trusting Team Environments
Celia Slater
Lecture | All Levels
Becoming Organized and Efficient as a Recruiter
Mandy Green
Lecture | All Levels
THE COLLEGIATE COACH
Relating to Today's Student-Athlete: Effectively Coaching Gen Z
Betsy Butterick
Lecture | Elite
The young people we are coaching today have never known life without the Internet and that unique context translates into both challenges and opportunities for coaches everywhere. This session is designed as a toolkit for coaches to better understand who Gen Z is so we can more effectively communicate with, connect with, and coach today’s student-athlete.
One Semester of NIL: Key Issues and Early Trends to Support your Athletes and Boost your Recruiting Game
Michelle Meyers
Lecture | Elite
With one semester of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reform behind us and the college sport’s world not crumbling as projected, this presentation uses relevant statistics and early trends to hypothesize how the NIL industry is likely to develop and the impact on your team. It includes overall trends to watch, monetization themes for niche sports athletes, strategies for utilizing NIL in your recruiting pitches, and tips for keeping your athletes safe and eligible.
Leading Me to We. Leadership Development for the Collegiate Player
Jen Klein
Panel | Elite
Looking at the four-year leadership development plan and process, from freshman year to senior year. How to learn to lead yourself so you can learn to lead others.
Making Soccer Relevant in your Athletic Department
Betsy Butterick, Aliceann Wilbur, Dave Dianni, & Chris Clements
Panel | Elite
Building and Sustaining a High Performing Environment
Jeremy Gunn
Lecture | Elite
How to create a vision and culture that will develop sustainable growth for players and the program.
Building a Good Relationship with the Director of Athletics
Tim Selgo
Lecture | Elite
Long-time former director of athletics Tim Selgo will share his thoughts on ways that coaches can cultivate and develop a good relationship with the director of athletics and his/her staff. Learn how A.D.s think and what are the best approaches in garnering support for your program.
The Choice of Change - Coaching Beyond X's and O's
Heather Dyche, Jeremy Gunn, Jen Klein, Sam Eckstrand, & Betsy Butterick
Panel | Elite
An in-depth discussion on coaching today’s student-athletes.
Top 10 Tips for College Coaches
Samantha Ekstrand
Lecture | Elite
The job of a college coach runs far beyond the “X’s & O’s” on the field. This session will review a list of things to think about and do that will increase your effectiveness as a coach and reduce your risk for complaints.
DIRECTOR OF COACHING
The Business of Club Direction Part 1
Andrew Donnery & Matt Robinson
Lecture | DOC
The Business of Club Direction Part 2
Andrew Donnery & Matt Robinson
Lecture | DOC
Club Best Practices
Nathan Hunt & Jason Pendleton
Lecture | DOC
It's Not Just What You Know, It's How You Coach
Linda Low & Sarah McQuade
Lecture | DOC
Personal Development and Promotion
Sarah McQuade & Tess Suprenant
Lecture | DOC
An Introduction to Mental Performance
Ben Freakley
Lecture | DOC
Initiating a Mental Performance Program
Ben Freakley
Lecture | DOC
Setting Your Club Apart
Nathan Hunt & Jason Pendleton
Lecture | DOC
Career Development and Networking
Linda Low & Tess Suprenant
Lecture | DOC
How to Make DEI a Part of Your Club's Future
Nefertiti Walker
Lecture | DOC
NFHS/UNITED SOCCER COACHES
Managing Both Boys and Girls HS Programs
Matt Trumpp / Bryan Turner
Panel | High School
Grit Training
Paul Whitey Kapsalis
Lecture | High School
Lead Them Up
Adam Bradley
Lecture | High School
Shifting the Parent/Player Paradigm
Greg Winkler
Panel | High School
Coaching Boys to Men
Derek Bell
Lecture | High School
NFHS Rules Update
Julie Cochran
Lecture | High School
OTHER THEMES AND SUNDAY ONLY DIPLOMAS
ADVOCACY SESSIONS
Creating Gender Inclusive Teams: Understanding Pronouns and Neutral Language
Kaig Lightner
Lecture | All Levels
What Does it All Mean? Helping Women Understand Their Rights and Navigate Employment Contracts
Haley Carter
Lecture | All Levels
Faith Based Coaching: Life and Career Balance
John Orozco / Yossi Raz
Lecture | All Levels
Managing Both Boys and Girls High School Programs
Matt Trumpp / Bryan Turner
Lecture | All Levels
You are Welcome! Opening the Door to All Players and Families
Lindsay Kauffman / Kaig Lightner
Lecture | All Levels
Soccer In Native American Communities and How it Can be an Example to Underserved Communities
TBA
Lecture | All Levels
Bridging the Gender Gap in Sports Leadership: Why are There Fewer Female Head Coaches and Admins?
Terry Eguaoje / TBA
Panel | All Levels
Empowering Coaches and Improving Our Own Performance Through Increased Self-Awareness
Dr. Rachel Lindvall / Erin McLeod
Lecture | All Levels
Tricks of the Trade for the First Time Coach
Marsha Harper / Kia McNeil / Robin Fraser / Lorne Donaldson
Panel | All Levels
Developing Champions Both On and Off the Field
TBA
Lecture | All Levels
Building Communities Off the Pitch
TBA
Lecture | All Levels
Mental Resiliency: Navigating Racism
Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak / Kat Khosrowyar / Johnny Collins / Neel Bhattacharjee
Panel | All Levels
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
COACHING FUTSAL
GOALKEEPING LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA (SUNDAY ONLY)
Goalkeeping Level 1, Part 1: The Goalkeeping Position
Lisa Cole
Lecture | Grassroots
Part 3: Functional Training
Lisa Cole
Field Session| Grassroots
Part 2: Team Games
TBA
Field Session| Grassroots
Part 4: TBA
TBA
Field Session| Grassroots
URBAN SOCCER DIPLOMA (SUNDAY ONLY)
Welcome & The Youth We Serve
JT Dorsey / Shaina Ross
Lecture | Youth
6 Step Practice Method for Children in a Non-Traditional Setting
JT Dorsey / Shaina Ross
Court Session| Youth
Principles of Great Coaching In A Non-Traditional Setting
Shaina Ross / JT Dorsey
Lecture | Youth
Skill Based Activities In Non-Traditional Activities
Shaina Ross / JT Dorsey
Court Session | Youth
MEMBERSHIP
EDUCATION