Academy Soccer Coach in Lawton, Oklahoma at Eastern Sports Management

Academy Soccer Coach

Academy Soccer Coaches are responsible for providing a positive, development-focused soccer environment for players within the Academy Soccer Program, with an emphasis on building strong technical foundations, creativity, confidence, decision-making, and enjoyment of the game. Coaches provide age-appropriate training and match-day instruction while supporting each player’s individual development and preparing players for continued progression within the

soccer program. Academy Soccer Coaches work collaboratively with other coaches to provide a consistent player development experience and serve as positive representatives of the soccer program when interacting with players, families, officials, opposing teams, and the community. Academy Soccer Coaches report directly to the Soccer Program Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct 2-3 age-appropriate team training sessions per week throughout the applicable season, emphasizing individual player development, technical proficiency, creativity, confidence, decision-making, and enjoyment of the game.

• Coach and supervise assigned Academy team(s) during league matches, festivals, friendlies, tournaments, and other approved activities.

• Teach and reinforce fundamental soccer skills including dribbling, passing, receiving, finishing, defending, movement, and decision-making.

• Introduce basic tactical and team concepts while maintaining individual technical

development as a primary focus of the Academy environment.

• Create an environment that encourages players to explore the game, make decisions, solve problems, take appropriate risks, learn from mistakes, and develop confidence with the ball.

• Evaluate individual player progress and provide positive, constructive, and

• age-appropriate feedback.

• Prepare players for continued development and eventual progression into competitive soccer or other appropriate future playing opportunities.

• Promote sportsmanship, teamwork, effort, respect, and positive behavior while

maintaining long-term player development as the primary objective of the Academy Soccer Program.

• Communicate professionally and consistently with parents/guardians regarding program expectations, schedules, developmental objectives, player progress, and other team matters.

• Work cooperatively with other Academy and Competitive Soccer Coaches and the Soccer Program Coordinator to provide consistency in player development and facilitate appropriate player progression within the soccer program.

• Ensure players are properly supervised and that training and competition environments are safe and appropriate.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with players and families and represent the organization positively at all practices, matches, tournaments, and soccer-related activities.

• Follow all applicable organizational and governing-body policies, procedures, rules, and requirements.

• Attend required coach meetings, training opportunities, evaluations, and other program activities as directed by the Soccer Program Coordinator.

• Maintain high performance standards as determined by the Soccer Program Coordinator through an intermittent evaluation process.

• Work irregular shifts including evenings, weekends, and some holidays as required by practices, matches, tournaments, and other Academy activities.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned by the Soccer Program Coordinator.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Demonstrated knowledge of soccer fundamentals and age-appropriate youth player development.

• Previous experience coaching soccer, playing soccer, teaching youth sports, working with youth athletes, or a combination of related experience is required.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and time-management skills.

• Ability to effectively engage, instruct, and motivate young athletes.

• Must successfully complete and maintain all required background screening, SafeSport, risk management, and other organizational or governing-body requirements.

• USSF D License required. Candidates who do not possess a D License at the time of hire must obtain the license within 18 months of accepting the position and are expected to actively pursue the required U.S. Soccer coaching education pathway throughout that period. Continued employment may be contingent upon satisfactory progress toward completion of the licensing requirement.

• Coaches are expected to continue their professional development through the U.S. Soccer coaching pathway, with advancement beyond the D License encouraged and expected as appropriate to their role, experience, and the future needs of the soccer program.

• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to travel as required by assigned

Academy schedules.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: USSF D Coaching License required, subject to the licensing timeframe established for the position. Previous experience coaching soccer, playing soccer, teaching youth sports, working with youth athletes, or a combination of related experience is required. Previous experience involving youth soccer instruction or player development is preferred. Coaches are expected to pursue continued coaching education and advancement through the U.S. Soccer coaching pathway.

Language Skills: Ability to clearly communicate age-appropriate soccer concepts, training objectives, expectations, and performance feedback to youth players. Ability to communicate professionally with parents/guardians, officials, opposing coaches, and organizational staff in English. Other language skills are desirable.

Computer Skills: Ability to utilize web-based and mobile platforms for team communication, scheduling, league administration, coach education, and other program-related functions as required.

Standing: Continuously (>66%)

Sitting: Rarely (<10%)

Walking/Running: Frequently (33-66%)

Bending/stooping: Frequently (33-66%)

Reaching/twisting: Frequently (33-66%)

Lifting/pushing/pulling: Occasionally, up to 25 lbs (<33%)

Hearing: Constantly (>66%)

Talking/shouting: Constantly (>66%)

Seeing: Constantly (>66%)

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily outdoors at soccer fields and athletic complexes in varying weather conditions. Some practices, meetings, training sessions, or competitions may occur indoors.

• Coaches may be exposed to heat, cold, wind, rain, and other seasonal weather conditions. The noise level during practices, matches, and tournaments is frequently moderate to loud.

• Travel to Academy league matches, tournaments, and other approved activities may be required.