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About Ian

Ian Tonks is the former President of Major League Soccer Camps, Associate Vice President of Advancement and Athletics at Dominican University of California, and Director of Development at San Francisco USDA affiliate, Marin FC. Raised playing soccer in the UK, he created EZ Coach on the principle that participation in youth soccer should be fun, educational, and character-building.

Ian holds a bachelor’s degree in sports science from the University of Northumbria and an MBA in strategic leadership from Dominican University of California. Outside of work, his passions include exercise, golf and travel. A native of England, he lives in Irvine, California, with his wife and daughter.

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About Ian’s Coaching Philosophy

Ian’s Constructive Coaching philosophy provides the framework for EZ Coach’s method for coaching in practices and games:

C – Cheer your players to give their best effort. Don’t let the scoreboard to be the barometer of success.

O – Operate from the provided practice plans. Adhere to the structure and flow that’s outlined in each card set. Read and digest the plan before you come to practice. Prioritize your goals for each practice to ensure that you get the “need to know” content across in the time allocated.

N – Nurture a positive attitude and can-do spirit.

S – Set individual and collective challenges for the team during each practice and game (i.e. how many juggles can you do or who can make the most accurate passes through the gate in 60 seconds?).

T – Treat officials with respect and serve as a role model to players and parents.

R – Respect the rules of the game and live by them with consistency.

U – Understand and appreciate differences. Nurture these differences in your players. Recognize creativity and ingenuity just as you applaud discipline and perseverance.

C – Commit to learning, self-betterment and the process of continuous improvement. How players stack up against the competition should be secondary to how players learn and get better each week.

T – Talk to your players. Communication is an essential element of team chemistry. Find out about their interests outside of the game. Listen to them. Ask them questions. Empower them by giving them a voice.

I – Instruct with clear direction but let the game be the teacher whenever possible.

V – Voice constructive criticisms but sandwich them with positive and helpful comments and suggestions (i.e. Great effort, Sarah. You nearly pulled it off. You were just a little too aggressive in closing down the space to the ball. Next time try to delay your movement toward the ball and see if you’re able to win the challenge.”).

E – Establish simple and easy to administer rules and expectations. Adhere to these rules and expectations and be consistent in your judgments.

C – Create individual and team goals. Involve players in setting individual and team goals for the season. Put something tangible to each goal (i.e. a number or a date). Make goals achievable but push each child to strive for things that are presently just out of reach.

O – Offer feedback to players and parents on each player’s progress. Try to call or email three parents every week to let them know how their son or daughter is progressing. Provide some suggestions on what they need to do to continue to improve. Make a connection and show that you care.

A – Appreciate the game. Watch it on TV. Read about it in newspapers and on the internet. Take a state-sanctioned referee or coaching course. Play pick-up or participate in an adult soccer league. Immerse yourself in the sport and be captivated by its rich passion and tradition.

C – Celebrate and honor the opponent’s performances. Encourage a respectful code of conduct on the field and on the sideline.

H – Heap lots of praise on your players and in doing so set the tone for parents and family members. And don’t be afraid to extend your celebrations to team parents. Let them know when you appreciate something they’ve done to contribute positively to the team.

I – Illustrate your words with active demonstrations. Ask players to showcase the technique, skill or activity to the group before the game, during half time or after the game.

N – Notice even the smallest and most subtle improvements. Recognize and reward good deeds.

G – Give players room to grow. Support independent thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.