Coach Charlie Minesinger is a life-long athlete.  From team sports to running, he has maintained an active lifestyle, fueled by his competitive nature.  In fact just this year, at age 41, he completed a full Ironman triathlon in Couer d' Alene.
 
Like many adult athletes, his passion for sports was embedded in his DNA at a very young age.  He first hit the soccer field at age five, which he continued to play through his high school years.  Not to be typecast as a one-sport athlete, he also took up wrestling and even played JV lacrosse in college.  Though he wrote that running and triathlons have been his focus over the past 15-years.

A father of three, Kayla, Neela and Luke, Coach Charlie took his love of sports in a new direction in 2005.

"As my daughters' athletic "careers" expanded, I could not resist being involved and supporting them," he wrote.  "I was compelled to coach because I really enjoy working with kids."

This season our Coach-of-the-Week accepted the challenge of coaching his younger daughter Neela's, competitive travel team.  The U9G Blue Flames are based in Northern Virginia but play in the Washington Area Girls Soccer League.  Coach Charlie has enjoyed coaching a competitive team so much, that he is working to recruit a second team this winter. 


The Flames are a strong passing team and tend to control the ball well.  Coach Charlie wrote that the team's most prominent achievement is that nine of his 11 players have scored a goal.  He also has five competent goalies, with two more players who want to tackle the position as well.  

Coach Charlie and his team also created a "Juggling Patch Program" to help encourage players throughout the season.  He awards patches to players who reach 5, 10, 25 and 50 juggles.  Currently, half the team has reached five juggles.  

"We are all going to get some ice cream when all 11 achieve five juggles," wrote our proud coach.  

Besides using incentives to motivate his team, Coach Charlie is also a member of the US Youth Soccer Association.  He currently holds a "D" level-coaching certificate, which focuses on the consolidation of techniques and tactics.  He's hoping to qualify for the next level, the "C" license within a year or two.  Further accreditation should come in handy as he works with his eldest child, Kayla, who's also on a competitive travel team as well as with his son Luke who will begin a U5 program next fall.  

When he's not on the field with his children, Coach Charlie works in technology sales and business development.  

Coach Charlie Key's to Success:

First and foremost, Coach Minesinger believes that foot skill development is essential for young players.  He outlines specific practice drills that focus on the points or techniques he wants to traget each day. He also works to provide each player with personalized technical instructions session whenever possible.  

• Encourage players to communicate among themselves on the field

• Provide encouragement and clear feedback to players

• Communicate with parents to keep everyone involved on the same page

• Soccer should be fun, especially for younger players

• Organized practices - clear rules, good transitions and disciplined communication

Thank you for the example you've set for living a healthy active life Coach Charlie! This is one goal we should all work to achieve.