Coach Alex Switzer and Coach Zane dive into the challenges of “leveling up” in sports, discussing what it takes for players to transition to a new team or higher level and establish themselves as standout contributors.

Our guest is Coach Jessica Maddox, a former NCAA D1 goalkeeper from Troy University who transitioned her passion for soccer into a successful coaching career. Jessica shares her journey from player to mentor, emphasizing technical and mental growth in soccer development. She also talks about:

• Balancing intensity and recovery during tournaments.

• How video analysis enhances player development.

• Tips for young athletes navigating the shift to higher levels of play.

• Finding and fostering goalkeepers in youth soccer programs.

Jessica provides practical advice for players and coaches alike, with actionable strategies to elevate their game. Whether you're a coach, parent, or player, this episode is packed with wisdom and motivation.

💡 Learn more about Coach Jessica Maddox’s work or book a video review with her on OnCallCoaches.com. Happy listening!

Episode Timeline

00:00 – 02:24:Introduction to the podcast and today’s topic: transitioning to higher levels in sports. Alex and Zane discuss key takeaways from morning hockey practices.

02:25 – 04:47:Breaking into a new team—establishing work ethic, earning respect, and avoiding common mistakes.

04:48 – 06:57:How long it typically takes to rise to the top of a team after leveling up. The importance of patience and preparation.

06:58 – 09:07:Coaches' perspectives: integrating new players into a team’s culture and improving decision-making.

09:08 – 11:25:Interview introduction: Jessica Maddox’s career as a D1 athlete and her coaching journey.

11:26 – 13:47:Jessica on transitioning from high school to college sports and the importance of structure in development.

13:48 – 16:10:Standing out in a competitive environment—Jessica’s approach to setting and achieving goals.

16:11 – 18:36:Advice for athletes transitioning to higher levels: balancing fun with discipline.

18:37 – 20:57:Mental health and resilience as a goalkeeper: learning from failures and staying focused under pressure.

20:58 – 23:20:Developing young players and identifying goalkeepers in youth soccer.

23:21 – 25:44:Coaching philosophy: fostering independence and decision-making in players.

25:45 – 28:05:Jessica’s approach to season planning and periodization to prevent injuries.

28:06 – 30:21:Weekly training breakdown for high-level athletes, balancing fitness, technical, and tactical work.

30:22 – 34:41:Recovery and video analysis—managing fatigue while using video to improve skills.

34:42 – 39:17:How private coaching differs from club training and its role in player development.

39:18 – 41:35:The unique demands of goalkeeping and teaching players to self-correct.

41:36 – 45:53:The benefits of video analysis and specific angles for optimal feedback.

45:54 – 48:18:Jessica’s coaching rates on On Call Coaches and final thoughts on athlete development.

48:19 – 50:00:Closing remarks: insights on overuse injuries, recovery, and reaching your full potential in sports.

In this episode, Coaches Switz and Zane dive deep into the essentials of athletic development, discussing a timeless coaching debate: practicing fundamentals over flashy moves. Joining them is Coach Aaron Raffel, head coach of George Mason University’s club football team and former DC Divas defensive coordinator. Coach Raffel shares valuable insights on developing players by focusing on foundational skills rather than one-off flashy plays, explaining how this approach creates more adaptable and skilled athletes. With anecdotes from coaching both male and female teams, Coach Raffel emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and a mindset that prepares players for both game day and life. Don’t miss his stories of players who’ve excelled by trusting the process and the advice he offers to high school athletes aiming for the next level.

Timeline:

• 00:00 – 02:00 – Introduction: Coaches Switz and Zane talk weather, weekend highlights, and kick off the episode topic.

• 02:00 – 07:00 – Fundamentals vs. Flashy: Why practicing repeatable skills outweighs flashy one-time moves.

• 07:00 – 13:00 – The Pyramid of Skills: Building a foundation for consistent improvement and age-appropriate progression.

• 13:00 – 16:00 – Structured vs. Unstructured Practice: Allowing space for fun while sticking to skill-building in structured practice.

• 16:00 – 18:00 – Transition to the Guest: Introducing Coach Aaron Raffel and his coaching background.

• 18:00 – 25:00 – Coach Raffel on Skill-Building: Developing football players for skills, not just game plans.

• 25:00 – 32:00 – Pushing Players Outside: Coach Raffel explains his defensive approach to edge-running plays.

• 32:00 – 38:00 – Working with Female Athletes: Coach Raffel’s experiences coaching women in the WFA and integrating women into his staff.

• 38:00 – 45:00 – Success Stories: Memorable player development stories that show the power of foundational skills.

• 45:00 – 52:00 – Off-the-Field Development: How work ethic and off-field habits shape successful athletes.

• 52:00 – 57:00 – Tips for High School Athletes: Coach Raffel’s advice for players seeking to level up and get recruited.

• 57:00 – 1:00:00 – Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up: Hosts reflect on the discussion, thank Coach Raffel, and close the episode.

On this episode of the On Call Coaches Podcast, Coach Switz and Coach Zane dive deep into the values of accountability and leadership within team sports. The episode kicks off with a humorous anecdote about Coach Switz's nephew and his newfound responsibility, setting the stage for an exploration of what it means to be a great team leader on and off the field. Our guest, Bruce Johnson, a former James Madison University football standout and current high school coach, shares his journey from player to coach, his experience in championship teams, and his insights on building team culture. Bruce’s tips on handling pre-game nerves, focusing on fundamentals, and supporting athletes as both a coach and a parent make this a must-listen for anyone in youth and amateur sports. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable advice and powerful stories about growth, accountability, and leadership.

Timeline Summary:

0:00 - Intro & Story: Coaches Switz and Zane introduce the episode with a story about accountability sparked by Coach Switz's nephew.

3:00 - Defining Leadership: Discussion on the role of team captains and the importance of leaders both on and off the field.

6:00 - Team Bonding: How genuine friendships and off-field relationships build stronger, more accountable teams.

8:00 - Introducing Bruce Johnson: Background on Bruce’s athletic career and accomplishments at James Madison University.

9:00 - Championship Season: Bruce recounts his team's journey to the national championship and the role of player accountability.

13:00 - Coaches vs. Player Leadership: Differences between coach-led and player-led accountability, and how both impact team success.

15:00 - Handling Pre-Game Pressure: Bruce’s approach to managing adrenaline in high-stakes games and keeping a balanced mindset.

17:00 - Routine and Superstitions: Bruce shares his pre-game ritual and the importance of a consistent warm-up routine.

25:00 - Transition to Coaching: How Bruce’s experience as a player influences his coaching style, and why he prioritizes fundamentals.

38:00 - Balancing Dad and Coach Roles: Bruce reflects on supporting his daughter in competitive softball while balancing his role as both coach and father.

45:00 - Advice for Young Athletes: Bruce’s final advice to aspiring athletes about studying their game and becoming students of their sport.

49:00 - Closing Remarks: Coaches wrap up the episode and thank Bruce for his time, with a final reminder to check out Bruce on OnCallCoaches.com.

In this episode, hosts Coach Zane and Coach Alex dive into supporting players who may have faced setbacks in their athletic journey, offering insights on rebuilding confidence, skill improvement, and pursuing higher-level teams. Special guest Coach Daric Riley, linebackers coach for the Birmingham Stallions, shares his experiences coaching across college and professional levels, offering actionable advice on development plans, mental preparation, and building winning habits. Tune in for a deep, practical discussion on pushing athletes to their full potential, one step at a time.

Timeline Summary:

1. [0:00 - 1:00] – Introduction

   • Welcome to the podcast and episode topic introduction by Coach Zane and Coach Alex.

2. [1:00 - 5:00] – Setting the Scene

   • Discussion about helping athletes who’ve had to step back due to cuts, injuries, or team fit.

3. [5:00 - 20:00] – Strategies for Player Development

   • Coaches Zane and Alex share methods to support players’ physical and emotional growth, focusing on skill improvement and confidence building.

4. [20:00 - 45:00] – Interview with Coach Daric Riley

   • Coach Daric discusses his coaching journey, insights on building resilience, using film in training, and unique coaching strategies in professional football.

5. [45:00 - 50:00] – On and Off-Field Development

   • Coach Riley talks about the importance of habits, off-field preparation, and balancing life and family as a professional athlete.

6. [50:00 - 55:00] – Listener Q&A & Key Takeaways

   • Recap and advice for athletes, parents, and coaches on overcoming setbacks and developing sustainable growth plans.

On Call Coaches Podcast – Episode 4: Player Development with Coach Adam Saito

In this episode of the On Call Coaches Podcast, Coaches Alex and Zane sit down with Adam Saito to discuss his unique approach to coaching and player development. Adam shares insights into his coaching journey, offering valuable strategies for players at all levels. From building comprehensive development plans to focusing on key skills, Adam highlights the importance of structured growth in hockey. The conversation dives into the evolving role of technology in the sport and provides actionable advice for players and parents alike.

Timeline Summary:

• 0:00 – 3:00: Introduction and Small Talk
  Alex and Zane introduce Coach Adam Saito, briefly touching on his background, current coaching roles, and his journey from player to coach. They discuss his coaching influences and how his past experiences shape his methods today.

• 3:00 – 8:00: Adam’s Coaching Philosophy
  Adam explains his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of individualized development plans. He talks about how he tailors training based on each player's unique strengths and areas for improvement, and why a long-term focus on development is crucial.

• 8:00 – 13:00: Integrating Technology in Player Development
  Adam discusses how he incorporates technology, particularly video analysis, to break down player performance. He shares specific examples of how he uses this to help players recognize and correct their mistakes faster, leading to quicker improvements on the ice.

• 13:00 – 18:00: Balancing Skill Development with Game Performance
  Adam dives into how he balances focusing on immediate game performance with long-term skill development. He shares strategies for preparing players for game situations without sacrificing the development of fundamental skills.

• 18:00 – 23:00: Age-Specific Coaching Strategies
  Adam talks about how his coaching techniques evolve for different age groups. He provides insights into how he adjusts training for younger players versus older, more advanced athletes, and the key developmental milestones he focuses on for each age bracket.

• 23:00 – 28:00: Success Stories and Real-Life Examples
  Adam shares a few notable success stories from his coaching career, detailing how his development plans helped players progress to higher levels. He offers specific examples of how focusing on foundational skills over time paid off for certain athletes.

• 28:00 – 33:00: Advice for Players and Parents
  Adam gives practical, actionable advice for both players and parents. He covers tips for staying motivated during long development periods, how parents can best support their young athletes, and what players should focus on during off-season training to continue improving.

• 33:00 – End: Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
  The episode concludes with Adam reflecting on his coaching philosophy and his most important advice for aspiring hockey players. He emphasizes the need for patience, consistent effort, and a structured development plan to achieve long-term success in the sport.

Episode 3: Synchronized Skating & Coaching Insights with Kameryn Furman

In this episode of the On Call Coaches Podcast, Coach Alex and Coach Zane are joined by special guest Kameryn Furman, a national synchronized skating coach and Team USA representative—who also happens to be Coach Zane’s sister. Kameryn shares her incredible journey from ice dancer and competitive figure skater to her current role as director of KC Momentum. She dives into the world of synchronized skating, the rise of video coaching in figure skating, and how technology like On Call Coaches is transforming athlete development. Along the way, Kameryn shares personal stories about growing up with Coach Zane, including a hilarious mishap from her first competition and some funny behind-the-scenes family stories.

Whether you're interested in synchronized skating, coaching techniques, or just enjoy sibling banter, this episode has something for everyone!

Timeline Summary

00:05 - 00:25 – Intro by Coach Alex and Coach Zane, with updates on new On Call Coaches features like downloadable videos and algorithm changes for ranking coaches.

00:26 - 01:59 – Discussion on technical improvements at On Call Coaches, including Google listing issues and platform upgrades.

02:00 - 03:25 – Introduction of Kameryn Furman, sharing her background in both hockey and figure skating.

03:26 - 05:16 – Kameryn recounts her first synchronized skating competition at age three, including a minor injury and an adorable finish.

05:17 - 07:10 – Kameryn talks about her coaching journey, her master's team qualifying for nationals, and winning a national medal.

07:11 - 09:27 – Kameryn shares her experience representing Team USA internationally and fun traditions like swapping flags with competitors.

09:28 - 12:25 – Kameryn and Coach Zane reflect on growing up together, with a funny story about Zane removing his own braces.

12:26 - 15:15 – The hosts share more sibling banter, discussing Zane’s childhood, coaching style, and an old sticky ceiling toy.

15:16 - 18:43 – Kameryn explains the rise of video coaching in figure skating and how she collaborates with other coaches for feedback.

In this episode of the On Call Coaches Podcast, Coach Switz and Coach Zane kick things off talking about Zane’s gig coaching 6U and 8U Lady Cyclones. Zane’s loving it, even though half the time the kids are more worried about getting ice cream afterward than learning how to score goals. But hey, that’s half the fun.

They chat about keeping sports fun for the little ones, especially when parents start getting a bit too serious. Zane shares how his 8-year-old just flipped the switch and started asking for extra ice time and training. They hit home that it’s all about letting kids find their own passion for the game.

Then they bring in the big guns: Coach Joe Kavanaugh, a St. Louis guy who lit it up at Pattonville High and then played at Minnesota’s ACHA team—oh, and he’s got a degree in physics because apparently, he didn’t think college hockey was hard enough. Joe talks about living the Minnesota hockey dream—outdoor rinks everywhere and endless shinny.

Joe now crushes it as a private video coach at STL Hockey Training. He breaks down how video analysis is the new secret sauce for players looking to up their game. You send in your clips, and for just $4 a minute, you’ll get feedback that can help you fix what’s not working. It’s a no-brainer if you want to separate yourself from the pack.

It’s a laid-back episode with a lot of laughs, some solid advice for parents, and tips for players who want to take their game to the next level.

Timeline:

• 0:00 - 1:00 | Introduction

• • Hosts Coach Switz and Coach Zane introduce the podcast.

  • They start with small talk about coaching experiences and teams.

• 1:00 - 4:30 | Coaching 6U and 8U Teams

• • Coach Zane talks about coaching the 6U and 8U Lady Cyclones teams.

  • Discusses the joy of coaching young kids and the differences from coaching older age groups.

  • Funny moments and lighthearted stories from coaching young players.

• 4:30 - 8:30 | Parenting and Coaching Philosophy

• • The conversation shifts towards how to encourage kids to stay engaged with hockey.

  • Coaches talk about keeping the game fun for young players and encouraging a lifelong love for the sport.

• 8:30 - 10:45 | Guest Introduction: Coach Joe Kavanaugh

• • The hosts introduce Coach Joe Kavanaugh, providing background on his hockey career.

  • They discuss his playing experience in St. Louis and at the University of Minnesota.

• 10:45 - 13:30 | Balancing College and Sports

• • Coach Joe talks about balancing his physics degree with playing college hockey.

  • He describes the challenges of time management, especially after road trips.

• 13:30 - 15:30 | Minnesota Hockey Culture

• • Joe describes the differences between St. Louis and Minnesota’s hockey culture, including outdoor rinks at every park.

• 15:30 - 18:00 | Use of Video in Coaching

• • Joe shares his experience with video sessions as a player and how video coaching has evolved.

  • Discussion on the importance of video as a differentiator for skill development.

• 18:00 - 19:45 | Video Coaching Process

• • Joe talks about his current work as a private hockey coach at STL Hockey Training.

  • He discusses how he uses video analysis with players, focusing on both broad and specific areas for improvement.

• 19:45 - 21:45 | Video Coaching Pricing

• • Joe outlines the cost for video coaching: $4 per minute.

  • Typical video feedback comes back 3-4 times longer than the video submitted, offering detailed insights.

• 21:45 - 23:30 | Closing Remarks

• • The hosts thank Coach Joe for being a guest.

  • Final wrap-up and sign-off from the hosts, with light-hearted banter about the heat in the studio.