Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Hello Coaches,

I started this blog as a means to reach out to the CASL coaches and provide a forum for which I can relay information, thoughts, and ideas.  This log will be a dynamic one that will be continually updated  weekly throughout the season.  Being on the preseason, with the start of training for most teams a few weeks away, I wanted to start this communication with a question.

If I were to ask, how would you answer : What is your coaching philosophy? 

I realize that there may be many new or novice coaches, alike we have many veteran coaches. Whether you are a new, novice coach or a veteran coach, you should be able to answer this question.

A coaching philosophy is central to define how you want your team to play in games, which in turn defines what you need to do to prepare these players in training.  For example, if I want my team to attack on the wings, I better focus on developing wingers, crossing, and finishing.  If I elect that I want to focus my team on possession and build up play, I need to ensure that I focus my development in those areas.  I recommend that coaches think about the end goal first, and work backwards to define and formulate a plan.

There are a number of different coaching philosophies and components of coaching philosophies.  Therefore, with this time in advanced of training think about some of the following and what is important.  Factors to consider:

  • How do you measure success?  Wins? Players developing? Player passion for soccer? Fun?
  • Are you a coach that wants to develop players?  Win at all costs?
  • Are you a players coach? More authoritative?  What is the best approach for your age of players and the program level that they currently play?
  • Do you want to develop the individual player? Or focus on the team?
  • Do you want an attacking-focused team or defensive?

Take some time and put in some thought before you step out onto the soccer field with your players and have a plan.  Know what you are going to do with your players before you do it. 

My recommendations for all coaches are that before you step onto the soccer field, you need to have passion, energy, enthusiasm, and structured preparation for your players. 

Bryan Farnsworth
Director of Recreation and Challenge.


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Hello CASL Recreation coaches,

With the start of a new season on the horizon, I wanted to start my communication.  I first wanted to make everyone aware of an important date, February 16 which will be scheduled the spring CASL kickoff.  At the WRAL soccer center, from 3-5pm we will have all coaches packets and uniforms for new players.  As part of this event, I have two separated coaching education activities scheduled.


  1. First, from 1:30-3pm on the Durham Bulls stadium, I have a classic staff coach conducting a coaching education clinic entitled "Numbers up Attacking"
  2.  The NCYSA will be conducting age-specific training for U6, U8, and U10-12 recreation coaches from 1:30-3pm.  
  3. The NCYSA will be conducting a coaching education clinic from 3-4pm on "Parent Education and Coaching Education for the Volunteer Recreation Coach".  
  4. Finally, I will plan to conduct a informational session from 4-5pm for all U7-U10 recreation coaches (rules, policies, tips, advice, etc) specifically targeted for any new coaches to CASL within the past year.  
Please make an effort to stop by for one or all of these activities if you are able.

Bryan Farnsworth
Director of Coaching Education
Recreation and Challenge Divisions
Bryan.farnsworth@caslnc.com

Friday, January 24, 2014




Hello,

I hope this communication finds all of you off to a great start to the New Year. My name is Rusty Scarborough and I am the Director of Soccer for CASL. Since we do not have our Annual General Meeting anymore it may be that we have not met or seen each other in a while.
Beginning this month, January, 2014, I will include a post, monthly, on the CASL Challenge and Recreation Division blog. Each month I will have a theme to discuss and this one is just to say hello and make a few announcements for the upcoming season. I will also include a Technical Training segment each month, provided by Sean Nahas, our ECNL Director at CASL. The ECNL is our Elite Clubs National League that our top female players play in throughout the year. In future post, I will have themes on Coaching Education, Parent Education, Player Development and different announcements recognizing our teams, players and coaches form all of our playing divisions.
This post is the first of many and I want to thank each of you for all you do for CASL. I hope you join me in saying that we are a part of one of the best youth soccer clubs in the country. I feel fortunate to be able to work with so many quality people, day to day, that show the Character, Attitude, Success and Love of the game it takes to be great.
Now I would like to make a few announcements that will help you prepare for the next 6 months and catch you up on some exciting news. If you ever have anything that warrants inclusion to my monthly communication please do not hesitate to send to me.

February 17thStart of spring training
June 13-15 – NSCAA and CASL will be hosting a NSCAA Level 6 coaching course for our Recreation and Challenge coaches. Because of our partnership with NSCAA and CASL being the only Platinum Club member, the first 75 CASL coaches that register will be able to attend at no cost. This course will be held at our WRAL Soccer Center and I will be the lead instructor along with additional staff assigned at a later date. Please stay tune for more details about how to register.


  • Damon Nahas, CASL Technical Director just got back from another stint as the U15G National Team coach and also has been involved with the US Full Women’s National team as a Technical Trainer
  • Sean Nahas, CASL ECNL Director continues to be involved with the U14G National team as a staff coach and also was a clinician at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia
  • Taylor Otto, CASL player for the U16/U17 Girls ECNL teams received the Youth All American award at the NSCAA Convention 

Come out and support our partner the Carolina Railhawks at all of their home games. We will be sending out a calendar of all CASL and Railhawk game events very soon. Let’s make this season at the CASL Towers a big success.

Coming soon will be an announcement of a new NSCAA/CASL Co-Branded CASL Badge – Special Topics course to be taught in August, 2014. This will be an exciting new Coaching Education piece for us all

Finally, I have included a Technical Training segment from Sean Nahas, CASL ECNL Director for your enjoyment and education. Again, I will have one of these each month.  This session will also be stored in the "CASL Technical session" located on the left hand column of the blog.
Once again, thank you for all you do for CASL and if you have a question or something to include in my monthly communication, please do not hesitate to email or call me directly.


Rusty Scarborough
CASL Director of Soccer
Rusty.scarborough@caslnc.com
919-834-9899