November 23, 2021 | by Taylor Pill

KANSAS CITY -- For Coach Jeff Pill, the principles of expanding influence and improving a skillset are foundational to his coaching methodology. So when the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) partnered with FIFA for a Coaching Educator Workshop and asked Pill to serve as their model coach, it was right in his wheelhouse.

Pill traveled to the USSF National Development Center in Kansas City last week to provide insights on his own coaching methodology to a number of leading coaching minds from UEFA, CONCACAF, FIFA, and the USSF.

Basically, these association members "eavesdropped" on Pill as he led the instruction for a National 'A' License course - evaluating coaches' field and classroom sessions and leading workshops on topics like team culture and impacting coaching behavior. After Pill's "live" work was done, he would meet with the association members to give insights into his instructional methodology and choices, as well as field questions - all things that Pill has spent years exploring and refining on both a personal and a national level. 

For Pill, it was another chance to sharpen his craft, share ideas and values, and expand his influence.

SHARPENING A CRAFT

Pill instructed elite-level youth coaches from across the country during field sessions, wearing a mic in the process so the association members could listen to his feedback and ideas from a classroom that overlooked the field. Pill was put under the microscope, and his feedback was essentially a live demonstration of evaluating a coaching session in terms of tactics, methodology, and communication.

"It was an opportunity for professional development because it is a challenging environment," Pill said. "And it's where I get to participate in a culture that values accountability, personal growth, and the sharing of ideas."

SHARING IDEAS

One of the leading topics Pill covered was developing a positive learning environment and team culture. Something - according to Pill - that requires modeling, clarifying, and positive expectations.

"You have to model the values you expect," Pill said. "People need to have a living example of how your values are actualized in your behavior. If you have high personal standards of excellence and those standards translate into behaviors, people often respond in kind, especially when they see that your behaviors are helping them succeed.

"I make sure that I clearly define and teach standards of behavior and expectations for their coursework. Having clearly identified outcomes gives us a common goal. Then we challenge them to perform and support them in the process. A good starting point is to assume that everyone is eager to improve and actualize their potential. This assumption, although it may hint at naivete, often translates into expecting the best out of them. I have found that the result is that they more frequently than not, rise to the occasion and respond to the expectations."

Pill's job last week was to both convey his theoretical framework for establishing a team's culture, as well as model the practice. It was a chance to spread his ideas by practicing what he preached.

EXPANDING INFLUENCE

Pill's opportunity for influence wasn't limited to the association members from the various governing bodies. He also reached youth coaches - his influence was expanded by communicating to club coaches all across the country.

"It was a very challenging opportunity as there were high expectations to execute under the observations of global leaders in coaching development," Pill said. "The coaches I worked with felt a lot of pressure, too. I had to try to enable them to perform their tasks as well. It was a very dynamic environment."

The environment was indeed "dynamic", and the opportunity for influence at that level is one that Pill would never refuse.

"As believers, we are called to serve with excellence," Pill said. "When we do that, we find we are able to expand our influence as Proverbs 22:29 and Ecclesiastes 9:10 remind us."

Proverbs 22:29 (KJV) - "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV) - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

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Coach Jeff Pill is the current Director of Soccer Operations at Maranatha Baptist University, and he has been working on a full-time or part-time basis with USSF since 1993, filling roles of National Staff Coach, FIFA World Cup Technical Report Team, US Women's National Team Programs Coach, and National Coaching Education Staff. See Pill's bio here: (click here)

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) - is the international governing body of association football (soccer), futsal, and beach soccer, and the USSF is the governing body for soccer in the United States. Website: https://www.fifa.com/

USSF (United States Soccer Federation) - is the national governing body of soccer in the United States. Website: https://www.ussoccer.com/about