July 26, 2021

Rush Coaches Debate: Going Through Tryouts

After hearing from players and parents, an amazing panel of Rush Coaches and Directors discussed concepts and ways to improve how players, parents, and coaches go through one of the most stressful periods of the season.

When  Chris P. , Rush Soccer’s Developmental Director, suggested that we should dedicate the whole month to analyze Tryouts, we decided to give the same priority to every party involved: Players, Parents, and Coaches.

That’s why Chris hosted two wonderful webinars, first with players and later with parents, and received some key suggestions and concerns for this stressful part of the season. Let’s now hear from the coaches.

  • Daouda Kante  – Kansas Rush.
  • Randall Porter  – Kansas Rush.
  • Paul Furlong  – Lobos TN Rush.

The goal of the discussion was to check if clubs grew during the process and how the experience could be refined for all involved. The process is stressful for all, that we all know.

Is it a regional, National or a state to state problem? How can we conduct the process more efficiently and effectively? And what methods do you feel that would provide coaches an easier way to measure performances that they can later share with players who didn’t make the top team, or didn’t make the team at all? Those are some of the questions posted during the meeting.

Both  parents and players suggested that communication must be clear and face to face , whether the player made the team or not. Paul Furlong highlighted that aspect as well, stating that  communication, even if it’s already adequate, should always be a priority to improve.

Another point that was remarked by Paul and Randall related to the individual experience that each child has with their coach. They both emphasized that  putting better coaches with the younger age groups helps to develop them , not only from a technical standpoint but also to ensure these are coaches committed to the group and willing to go above and beyond expectations and minimum standards. Moreover, their objective is to provide a consistent experience regardless of league or level.

On a different note, Randall pointed out the incidence of state rules. In their case, tryouts must be run on the same day as the other clubs. That affects the dynamic of the process, as from a business standpoint, they are in need of making offers on day one or get ready to lose players from the club.

Complementary to this concept, Paul made a comment on how  success tends to breed success . For example, if one branch had a strong 2010 group, players from other branches would migrate there. At Lobos, the pathway is defined early and the Developmental and Recreational branches do lots of work to help these players develop into the travel program, Some of the initiatives taken are weekly training sessions with competitive coaches and holding consistent meetings. Kansas Rush, with the same objective, holds a couple clinics in the fall and spring with the travel coaches.

Thanks to Paul, Randall and Daouda for their contributions, Kristian Bates PA Rush TD shared via email some of their secrets and couldn’t join us as he was in Greece with Rush Select. And congratulations to TN Lobos Rush for having 4 teams at USYS National Championships in Florida this summer!

Now it’s time to hear from you, coach. Did we miss any key point? How would you improve the Tryouts period?

Hudl Flex User Guide

By Lucas Sampaio • October 10, 2024
Coastal Families, Hudl TV has been a fantastic addition to our game streaming this season. Below, you'll find links to the Hudl Flex User Guide to assist anyone responsible for setting up and recording with the Hudl Flex cameras. We also have a recorded video call from Hudl with our Coastal Rush players that covers some helpful topics. Be sure to check out these helpful tutorials and resources for Coaches, Team Managers, Athletes, and Parents: Athletes Guide to Hudl : Share this out with athletes and parents for a walk through of all things Hudl on the Athletes side of things Coaches/Managers Resource Guide : Share this out with coaches for a step by step walk through of the Hudl platform on the coaches/managers side of things Coastal Rush Hudl Fan Landing Page : Share this out with friends and family who can’t attend games in person and want to watch via livestream If you have any additional questions, please email Coach Kyle at kyle@coastalrush.com.

Coastal Rush Soccer Breaks Record with 57 Player College Commitments for Fall 2024

By Lucas Sampaio • June 24, 2024
[Pensacola, FL, June 24, 2024] - Coastal Rush Soccer, a soccer club within the largest youth soccer organization in the world, is celebrating a remarkable achievement with a record-breaking year of college commitments for Fall 2024. The National average for high school soccer players continuing their athletic journey in college stands at 7.5%, but Coastal Rush Soccer has surpassed expectations with an impressive 57 college commitments, which is 5x the national average. This outstanding success is directly attributed to Coastal Rush’s College Advisory Program (CAP). The announcement of 57 college commitments sets Coastal Rush Soccer apart as a leader in nurturing young soccer talent and providing them with opportunities to further their education while pursuing their sports dreams. The organization's commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes has clearly paid off, with a significant number of players set to embark on their college soccer careers in the upcoming fall. Rush Soccer's College Advisory Program (CAP) has been a great resource in guiding players through the college recruitment process, ensuring that they are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their future. The local CAP offerings led by John Michael Guidroz, Felipe Lawall and Nick Cooper offer personalized support and expert advice, the CAP has empowered players to explore their options and find the best fit for their academic and athletic aspirations. "Our College Advisory Program (CAP) team is dedicated to empowering players through the college recruitment process. With a proven track record of exceeding the national average in college commitments by 5x times, CAP offers unparalleled support and guidance to families. No other club equips players for success quite like Rush Soccer. We are very proud of all of our athletes that will be attending college, for athletics and academic excellence,” said Josh Tyler, Global CAP Director for Rush Soccer. Kyle Sealy, Boys Director of Coastal Rush Soccer, adds, “By prioritizing academic excellence and holistic development, Coastal Rush has created a pathway for young athletes to pursue their passion for soccer while securing their future through higher education. We are very proud of each of our players for attacking the recruiting process head on and finding a fit for themselves academically as well as programs that fit their needs as individual players” Kenny Skinner, Girls Director of Coastal Rush Soccer, also adds, “We at the club would like to show our gratitude to all those who have helped the players find their fit at the next level. In addition to our local CAP directors we also have many great coaches and directors at the home club who have helped our student athletes. Also lastly, a big congratulations to all the players in making this next step!” As Coastal Rush Soccer continues to make a mark in the world of youth soccer development, the organization's emphasis on empowering student-athletes to achieve success both on and off the field remains at the core of its mission. With 57 college commitments for Fall 2024, Rush Soccer is setting a new standard for player development and college preparedness in the soccer community.

Coastal Rush Spring Update

By John Guidroz • March 22, 2024
Quick Spring Update 2024
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