4 Questions Series - Sam Snow; Owner of American Made Soccer Consultants

January 17th 2020

Sporting Director Notes: I have known of Sam for years. Followed his various blogs and his movements through the game. He was referred to me years ago by Bobby Howe, during my time in Seattle. I found Sam to have a real, true understanding of both the youth and American based player.

Recently I attended a grass Roots Soccer Coaching Course in Austin, TX. Much to my surprise Sam was there. I enjoyed speaking with him immensely and, after so many years, I am glad our paths crossed. I look forward to years of discussion!

I hope you enjoy!

Lee

Sam Snow is the founder of American Made Soccer Consultants.  Snow has over forty years of experience as a coach, player and administrator in soccer in the USA.  Coach Snow has served as the technical director for US Youth Soccer and for the Louisiana Soccer Association.  He is a former college and high school coach and teacher.

Snow is a coach educator for U. S. Soccer, United Soccer Coaches, South Texas Youth Soccer and North Texas State Soccer.  He holds the “A” License, Premier Diploma, National Youth License, and UEFA “C” License from the DFB and National Goalkeeper License.  For 14 years Snow lead the instruction of the National Youth License; a.k.a, the National Youth Coaching Course.  He is co-authoring the revised curriculum for the new National Youth Diploma for United Soccer Coaches.  Snow also holds the Preliminary Badge from the Football Association, the Director of Coaching special topics diploma from United Soccer Coaches and the Soccer Coach National License from Special Olympics.  He earned certificates from Safe Sport, the CDC, and Darkness to Light and Coaching Healthy Habits.

He is an Instructor for the Master’s Degree in Coaching Soccer with Ohio University.

Sam Snow is a prolific writer on coaching and playing the beautiful game.  His blogs on the US Youth Soccer website averaged 1500 readers per week.  He has published articles in Athletic Journal, Coach & Athlete, Conditioning for Soccer, Goal Nation, Scholastic Coach, Soccer America, Soccer Corner, Soccer Journal, Soccer Nation News, Success In Soccer, The Farpost, The Touchline and Youth Soccer Insider.  Further, his writings are posted on the web sites of numerous state associations, US Youth Soccer regions, US Youth Soccer, NSCAA and others in the sports field both domestic and international.

Coach Snow continues as a sought after clinician for clubs, schools, state and national associations.  He has conducted sessions for the convention of United Soccer Coaches, the workshop of US Youth Soccer, the AGM symposia for over 45 state associations and internationally in Canada, Germany and Turkey.

Sam Snow was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for Virginia Wesleyan College in 2016.  He received the Charlotte Moran Youth Long-Term Service Award in 2018 from United Soccer Coaches.  Recently Snow was honored with the Dr. Tom Fleck Award for Excellence in Youth Coaching Education - https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/fleck-award/.

You act as a consultant to youth football clubs now, could you tell us more about that?

After a long career as a college coach and then as the technical director for Louisiana Soccer and US Youth Soccer, I have moved into my own business with American Made Soccer Consultants.  The company looks to work with soccer organizations to develop players, administrators and coaches.  We work with the organization on growth strategies, finances, etc.  Built on over 40 years of experience in the soccer industry we can connect any soccer organizations with a wide array of experts in many different fields that can be of service to the organization.

 How do you think youth soccer coaches and administrators could collaborate for the benefit of the American based youth players?

Often I have found that soccer administrators and coaches will have separate meetings frequently on the same topics.  At a strategic level coaches and administrators need to meet together to plan how to improve the current status of soccer in their community.  From the local level to the national level we all need to work on growing the game throughout the USA.

Additionally administrators and coaches should converse to better understand the role that both jobs have to create a healthy soccer experience for the participants.  Mutual respect and dialog are foundations to the professional relationship that must improve among coaches and administrators in our sport.  It will take teamwork for us to make soccer the preeminent sport in the USA. 

You have worked with several great educators, who has helped mold your philosophies and ideals?

I have had the privilege to work with and study under Bob Gansler, Jay Miller, Timo Liekoski, Walt Chyzowych, Joe Machnik, Nick Zlatar, Jay Hoffman, Ron Quinn, Bobby Howe, Ian Barker and David Carr.  My biggest influence and direct mentor for  many years was Dr. Tom Fleck.  I owe a great deal of my growth as a coach and as a person to Tom.  Dr. Fleck initiated much of what is currently seen in the coaching courses of U. S. Soccer and United Soccer Coaches when it comes to a player-centered approach and modified soccer for children.  I have been fortunate to carry on with the efforts that he began.

 What advice would you have to new or young football coaches?

Please keep in mind that you are developing the person first and the soccer player second.  From that approach greater retention of players will be achieved.  That’s in the best interest of the game.

i. Novice coaches should actively seek out one or more mentors.  Look for those who are good as leaders as well as practical experience in soccer.  Being both a mentee and a mentor is a component of coaching that top coaches execute throughout their careers.

ii. Be a life-long student of the game.  Continuously plan out your learning opportunities in formal, non-formal and informal settings.

iii.  Be VERY conservative with your social media presence. I have seen young coaches put themselves in dire situations from being irresponsible with electronic communications.  And when it comes to social media connections with minors, simply do not do it.  Communicate with any player under the age of 18 through their parents.  Be sure to follow the communications protocols of your soccer organization.

iv. Finally work on your communication skills.  They may be the most important skill set for a coach to have – above soccer knowledge.  A coach must clearly, concisely and correctly communicate with players, staff, parents of players, administrators, referees, sponsors, government leaders, etc.  I strongly encourage coaches to study the science and art of human communication in all of its forms – face-to-face, video calls, phone calls and writing.

Lee Cullip