Players First guide to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches Convention

CHICAGO, Ill. (Via US Club Soccer) – As the 2019 United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago approaches, now is the time to start planning your schedule for the largest annual gathering of soccer coaches in the world.

As has been the case for the past three conventions, US Club Soccer will be hosting classroom and field sessions with LaLiga:

• Thursday, Jan. 10; 2:30-3:30 p.m. CT: Classroom session – “Developing Intelligence through Formative Player Projects” with LaLiga Formation Methodology experts Gari Fullaondo and Hugo Blanco (McCormick Place West Building Room W183C)
• Friday, Jan. 11; 2:30-3:30 p.m. CT: Field session – “Key Tactical Concepts in Three Game Structures: 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11” with Fullaondo and Blanco (Kwik Goal Demo Field 2; McCormick Place West Building Hall F1)

Beyond these sessions, US Club Soccer encourages attendees to attend sessions led by its Players First partners – a collection of best-in-class resources advancing the pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety.

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of Players First partner sessions. A complete schedule is available here.

Wednesday, Jan. 9:

The 2019 United Soccer Coaches Convention technically opens Wednesday, although the Exhibit Hall grand opening in McCormick Place is Thursday night. On Wednesday, World Football Academy will host a full-day course on “Football Tactics” led by renowned periodization expert Raymond Verheijen from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

World Football Academy is extending a Players First-discount to coaches. At registration, please use the code Tactics50 to receive $50 off. If you have already registered for Convention and want to add Raymond’s session to your booking at the discount rate, please contact the United Soccer Coaches membership services team at [email protected] to claim your discount.

Thursday, Jan. 18:

Before the Exhibit Hall opens its doors at 6 p.m., numerous sessions will have already taken place. ECNL President Christian Lavers leads a classroom session titled: “Helping the Best Get Better: Development at the Top of the Youth Game” in CC W185BC from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

A few hours later, US Club Soccer/LaLiga host a classroom session: “Developing Intelligence through Formative Player Projects” in CC W183C at 2:30 p.m. local time.

Friday, Jan. 19:

Soccer Parent Resource Center’s Skye Eddy Bruce starts the day with a classroom session titled: “Collaboration is a Force Multiplier” in CC W187C from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Also at the same time, Colleen Hacker – the former mental skills coach of the USWNT and guest speaker at the Players First launch event three years ago – is among a panel discussion: “Working with World-Class Athletes and Developing Youth Players: Are there Differences?” That conversation will be hosted in CC W179AB. Thirty minutes after that concludes, Hacker leads another session: “Mental Toughness Training in Soccer: Developing a High-Performance Mindset” in CC W181ABC.

Then, from 10-11 a.m., Gari Fullaondo and Kimet Planning are hosting a Q&A session at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Conference Center DuSable A room. Here’s a special invitation (English / Spanish), which includes a Players First discount to the expansive technology platform.

Before lunch, check out Positive Coaching Alliance’s panel discussion from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in CC W185A: “The State of the Soccer Culture,” featuring a trio of well-known soccer figures: Brian McBride, Erin Chastain and Charlie Slagle.

After indulging in a deep-dish pizza, be sure to attend US Club Soccer/LaLiga’s field session from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (“Key Tactical Concepts in Three Game Structures: 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11”) in CC W Hall F1 Demo Field 2.

While you’re at Demo Field 2, stick around for a 4-5 p.m. session with World Football Academy and Verheijen: “How to Improve 11v11 Playing Style with Only 12-16 Players.”

Also during that 4-5 p.m. timeframe, ENPL and NPL members are encouraged to attend the leagues’ joint general meeting at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Conference Center in the DuSable ABC room. Leo Garcia, US Club Soccer Vice President of Competitions and NPL General Manager, will deliver a brief presentation and lead a discussion about the platforms’ collective growth.

Saturday, Jan. 12:

Positive Coaching Alliance kicks off Saturday activities with an educational session aptly titled: “Building a Culture of Positivity” in CC W185D. Nearby in CC W185BC, World Football Academy’s Verheijen is also presenting at the same time. His session is designed as a one-on-one format, where audience members can ask Verheijen questions.

Later that day, Skye Eddy Bruce and Soccer Parent Resource Center will again lend expertise to Convention attendees – this time in a 1-2 p.m. session in CC W185D: “Steps to Developing an Essential Parent Engagement Plan for your Organization.”

A few Players First partners will have booths during the Convention. US Club Soccer’s Players First-themed booth can be found in the Exhibit Hall by locating #937. A map of exhibitors in the McCormick Place West Building Hall is available here.

• Beast Mode Soccer: #1086
• Beyond Pulse: #1529
• Player’s Health: #790
• Positive Coaching Alliance: #1383
• Soccer Parent Resource Center: #966
• SportSessionPlanner: #838

Join the conversation on social media by using the Players First hashtag #P1soccer.