Sharks 07
Santa Cruz Youth Soccer
COACHES
GERMAN PLAZA
Head Coach
Coaching Experience:
Current Positions
Director of Coaching, Santa Cruz City Youth Soccer Club
State Olympic Development Program head Coach
USSF License Instructor
Current Teams:
Head Coach of SCCYSC Sharks 00 Blue
Head Coach of SCCYSC Sharks 07 Blue
Past Experience:
I have extensive experience in the game of soccer that ranges from U6 to adult, both male and female, from recreational to competitive teams, middle school, high school, college, amateur, semi-pro, and professional teams.
Highlights:
Head Coach of Semi-Professional teams in upstate New York:
Fingerlakes Desperadoes(men) and Fingerlakes Heartbreakers (women). The Heartbreakers were Northeast Region Finalists.
Assistant Coach of Cornell University (Division I) Men's soccer which achieved the Ivy League title and played in the NCAA playoffs twice.
Soquel High School Head Coach, SCCAL champions, CSS semifinalists
Manager and Assistant Coach of the Peruvian U-23 National Team
Player, coach, and manager for Centro Deportivo Municipal, a professional team in Peru
Philosophy:
I firmly believe that coaching is the way that we gradually influence the game of a player. This is a process that requires time, patience and a lot of interaction with the ball during game-related situations that can be re-created at practice. As the player develops, the person behind the player is also influenced, building personal qualities that will help them in the future such as time management, dedication, perseverance, courage to take chances, and fortitude to endure adversity. The critical part of coaching is finding the right balance between developing the player and the person at the same time. This is how I define success in coaching.
I strive to give players tools and life skills that will extend beyond the soccer field, and help create better students, athletes, and individuals, who come out of the season having a fun and positive experience, but also a little more prepared for life on and off the field.
Development is key, creating a competitive environment that is not result-oriented is my goal for all ages and teams. I always aim to guide, not direct, and create a learning environment that promotes self- discovery and creativity, with room for trial and error.
After graduating from Harvard University in 2014 and coaching soccer there for 5 years, I am excited to be back in Santa Cruz, my hometown, working with youth and developing new programs to help young soccer players reach their potential. After receiving my USSF D License and coaching teams from U9 to College, I feel blessed to still be navigating my own soccer journey, learning from our rich soccer community at every step. While I coach several competitive teams during the year, working with the 2007 Sharks has been a true pleasure, day in and day out, as this team has begun to reach the age where all of their hard work and patience is leading to impressive outcomes - their full potential now being realized and rewarded. I could not be more excited for them to explore new challenges at the Far West Regional Tournament in Idaho this summer and then bring those insights and experiences back with them to the city of Santa Cruz.
RODRIGO PLAZA
Assistant Coach
MICHAEL KOHS
Assistant Coach
Coaching Experience:
4v4 & 7v7 Grassroots Certificate
Current Teams:
Assistant Coach of SCCYSC Sharks 07 Blue
Playing Experience:
Youth: FC Welzheim U10-U19 (Germany)
Adult: FC Welzheim (Amateur League - Germany)
Philosophy:
Growing up in Germany, soccer has always been an important part of my life. Throughout my youth, I played in the same club starting in the U10 youth team and progressing all the way to the amateur adult team. Playing soccer has taught me how one’s individual skills and strengths can contribute to a team collective where everyone is working towards the same goal.
First and foremost, soccer is a team sport where no one wins or loses alone. My goal is to build teams where players trust and help each other and are empowered to take responsibility to make their own decisions on the field. This kind of environment fosters individual player development and helps each player to find their own way of playing soccer. I want my teams to be safe environments for players from all backgrounds where they feel welcomed and accepted for who they are.
I enjoy working on tactics with older kids and helping them understand the game in a broader way. After all, it is very frustrating to put in the hard work just to get outplayed by your opponent. When players realize that something on the pitch is not working or does not feel quite right, I help them understand the reasons and guide them towards finding solutions through simple, effective tactical instructions.
While I am a competitive person and try to win games, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your players grow as individuals and as a team while falling in love with this sport. In the end this matters a lot more to me than individual game results.