Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 75

One of the biggest challenges in coaching is stamping your own mark on a team.

On paper, it can be an exciting prospect - a chance to set your own style of play and put in place your own environment.

If you are taking charge at a brand new club or franchise, that's one thing. But trying to rebuild a team in your image is all together different.

This week's cover star Aulani Fernandez (right) has been trying to do that at Chicago State University's women's soccer program.

Part of the 2021-22 United Soccer Coaches' 30 Under 30 Program, Aulani has had the added challenge of being a young coach attempting to create a culture to suit a diverse set of players, from as far afield as the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Her interview with our own Steph Fairbairn is an abridged version of the podcast, which you can hear by clicking the link on page 10 or by subscribing via your usual pod provider.

Steph has also designed this week's session, which encourages players to make good decisions when passing and receiving. 

We also have a standalone practice on finishing from crosses.

Hannah Duncan, editor of our Women's Soccer Coaching title, pens this week's Coach's Column on what to do if you lose confidence in the session you had planned.

Finally, we have an article about best-practice coaching behaviours on matchday