Coaching Spotlight: Lauren Pennisi

This week, we are focusing our attention to Livermore youth soccer coach Lauren Pennisi. She has been coaching in Livermore for more than 15 years and is the perfect candidate for our first spotlight.

What is your background in soccer as a player, coach, fan and/or in a
front office?

I've played my whole life but after having two ACL surgeries in a year, I'm taking some time off to heal! I live in Livermore and have been coaching here since 1994 and I've been a professional coach for the last 11 years. I coached high school for seven seasons and have been a CYSA Staff Instructor for 10 years. I currently work for West Coast Soccer Club
as a staff coach and trainer. I hold six national licenses.

Which teams have you coached and for how long did you coach each team?

I've been coaching for a long time! I'm proud of all the kids I've coached.

Most notably, I guess would be coaching/training the Livermore Crew '95 from their U9 season through their U12 season, and the Livermore Crew '97 which became the Livermore Crush. I also coached and trained them from U9 through U12. Both teams achieved national rankings while I coached them and continue to maintain their ranks.

During my tenure, the Crew (who will be U16 next season) advanced to the sweet sixteen in State Cup at U11 and then the elite eight in State Cup at U12.

Since then, both teams have done well in important tournaments and have placed many kids into ODP and PDP programs.

How is coaching in Livermore different than in other cities?

Coaching in Livermore is definitely different than coaching in other areas.

In Livermore, no matter how well you do, no one's happy unless you beat the Pleasanton club (Rage or Ballistic) and the Danville club (Mustang). What's frustrating about that is that both of those are top ranked programs in the Nation! The fact that we do so well against them speaks very well for us.

One of my goals is to re-educate the parents of youth players in Livermore to understand what's really important in youth sports.

Can you address any specific challenges in coaching boys versus girls at
the youth level?

I LOVE coaching boys!! I love coaching girls as well, it's just that I haven't had many opportunities to coach boys.

This year, I have both boys and girls teams and I am thoroughly enjoying both! The girls are
considerate. They don't want to step on each other's toes. The boys want to play. They don't care who's throw-in it is, someone picks up the ball and throws it in! Girls will stand around and wait to see who's throw-in it is. They're different, but equal.

What is your philosophy/approach to coaching in Livernore?

My coaching philosophy is about individual player development and fostering a love of the game.

Winning is secondary (maybe even third.)

One thing that many people don't understand is how unsatisfying a win-at-all-cost season can be. I can't tell you how many teams from many different clubs I've seen win State Cup, do well at regionals and even nationals, only to implode and break up the very next season.

Why? Because soccer (and all youth team activities) need to be about things like integrity, life lessons, fun, the joy of movement, the satisfaction of improvement, the joy of being a part of something bigger than yourself, etc.

All clubs see very successful (winning) teams break up or at the very least, lose their best players all the time. Why? Because ultimately, winning isn't enough.

What do you consider success in a game at the youth level? Must it be a win?

All my teams have goals. I have goals for the season, goals for each game, goals for individual players.

All my goals are outside of winning. Many times I've lost games only to have my team run off celebrating because they attained a goal during the course of the game. Winning, as I said, is never my goal.

Of course making soccer really good for kids requires parents to buy in to the philosophy.
But when that happens, it can be amazing. And then, the wins come.

Who is your favorite professional player? Why?

My favorite players currently are Maicon and Sergio Ramos. I have always played Full back and I love the way they both play that position. Ramos has been in a bit of a slump but I'm a loyal fan. As the right back, he's the target player which has worked well for both Spain and
Real Madrid. Of course, he has amazing players around him. Maicon is possibly the best defender ever to play the game. Such a pure player! He's really the perfect combination of physical strength and speed, tactical awareness, vision and technical skill.

Favorite moment as a coach?

In 11 years I've had many, many touching moments. I have a memory full of little things said from a young player, certain game situations that made me proud. many off the field moments that I'll always cherish.

Winning the Santa Cruz sand soccer tournament last weekend was good fun! However, my favorite moment happened after the game.

It had been a tough victory requiring a sudden death overtime period and then sudden death PK's. The boys were thrilled and were running around, hugging. The parents were snapping pictures. I looked up and saw my son (who I've never had the pleasure of coaching in any sport) running over to me. He picked me up and spun me around. I'll never forget it!

What advice would you give a youth player that aspires to be a professional soccer player?

Keep the ball with you, watch professional games, juggle and work with the ball on your own. Be humble and learn from those around you. The weakest player on the team has something to teach you.

Always remember, being a good player does not make you a good person. Work hard at school because no matter how good you are, if you don't have the grades, the college coach can't recruit you.

What do you do when you are not coaching?

I watch and play soccer, renovate houses, walk my dogs. I love to travel out of state to see my daughter play collegiately. Spend time with my son.

Thank you so much, Lauren!

Do you have a soccer related question? Want to read an interview with a local soccer hero? Is there certain coverage that you've wanted to see regarding soccer in our area? You can contact me at roundballrocker@yahoo.com

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