On February 21, 2013, the ECNL Coaching Development Initiative at FC Dallas Stadium attended by the FC Wisconsin Eclipse staff featured US Soccer Technical Director April Heinrichs, US Soccer Director of Coaching Education Dave Chesler, and US Soccer Womens National Team Fitness Coach Dawn Scott.

Before ECNL National Showcase Events, the ECNL sponsors a Coaching Development Initiative (CDI) for ECNL coaches from across the country for ongoing education and learning.  On February 21, the FC Wisconsin Eclipse staff attended the CDI at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, TX to hear from US Soccer Technical Director April Heinrichs, US Soccer Director of Coaching Education Dave Chesler, and US Soccer Womens National Team Fitness Coach Dawn Scott.

Dave Chesler presented on coaching the modern outside back, with Pro-Zone analysis of the performance of the outside backs in the 2012 ECNL U17 National Championship Game and in the FIFA U17 World Cup (US vs. France), as well as suggestions on training methodology and tactical nuances.

April Heinrichs presented on the biomechanics of driving the ball, with video footage of various U17 and U18 Youth National Team players performing the technique, as well as the technical testing protocol being used in current US Soccer Youth National Team Camps.  This testing protocol will be rolled out at FC Wisconsin Eclipse over the coming months.

Dawn Scott presented on the fitness demands of elite level play from the U14 Youth National Team to the Women’s National Team.  She also showed a few different methods of training speed endurance and speed with the ball.  For a video of a speed endurance activity, see below:

The ECNL CDI events are another example of the developmental focus of the ECNL - but this time, the focus is on the coaches.  As stated by Arsenal Head Coach Arsene Wenger, "the day you stop learning is the day you stop teaching."  At FC Wisconsin Eclipse, we expect the same type of ongoing development from the staff as we expect from the players.