TopTekkers has recently been introduced to the players at Denver Kickers in Colorado. We spoke to the club’s Director of Coaching & former Man Utd player, Terry Cooke, to discuss how he expects the use of the app to impact the development of their players, as well as where it fits in to their overall philosophy. 

Club name: Denver Kickers 

Located in: Golden, Colorado 

Formed: 1962

Number of teams: 19

Kit colours: Red, Black & White 

TT: How long has your club been using TopTekkers?

TC: For 3 months.

TT: Which age groups/players in your club are using TopTekkers?

TC: Our 4-17 year old players.

TT: How have you implemented TopTekkers at your club? 

TC: Individual and team plans are all assigned by the team coach.

TT: Why did you get TopTekkers for your players?

TC: So that players are able to work on their fundamentals and skills in their own environment during these difficult times with the Covid-19 stay at home orders. 

I wanted something so that all of our players could be given structured tasks and continue to be challenged whilst under stay at home orders. TopTekkers gives us this and still gives the coach a way to interact with the players and also have a say in individual player development as well as the team’s development. 

Another reason we opted for TopTekkers is because of the high quality demonstrations,  they explain and demonstrate techniques in a correct and precise way enabling young players to pick it up quickly and accurately. As soon as I used the app I knew that I needed this for my club. There are plenty of poor quality demonstrations on YouTube with poorly executed techniques. The TopTekkers app is a fantastic, top quality educational tool for our players. I know that they are learning the correct techniques and at the same time building confidence.

TT: How will TopTekkers become a part of the coaching cycle or curriculum within your club?

TC: TopTekkers has already become a big part of our club. This is something we want to continue to use and promote individual training in the players own environments when they are away from team practices. 

Already we have seen a huge increase in our players working on their skills at home using the TopTekkers app. I am very confident that we will see a huge improvement when they return to play. 

TT: What do you personally like about the app?

TC: The graphics are easy to use, very simple drills and instructions. Also kids can watch other kids demonstrating the drills on short videos. Visually kids can see what to do and how to do the drills. Kids will be inclined to be more engage when they see all of this. 

TT: What’s your club’s development philosophy?

TC: My club’s development philosophy is making sure we focus on fundamentals and the technical side of the game at all ages and levels. 

We want all kids to feel comfortable with the ball in all areas of the field. But our main priority is really making sure the environment is fun and the kids really fall in the love with game. If we can can create this kind of positive competitive learning environment then we see a huge improvement in our players as individuals and also within our team’s performances. 

TT: Why is practice away from the training field important? 

TC: I think it’s important because this is most likely when you are training by yourself and it’s a good time to focus on your own personal needs on becoming a better player. All the best players in the world, before and after team practices, worked on their own individual skills and technique. Self motivation and self improvement are crucial to becoming a good player.

For more info on Denver Kickers please visit https://www.denverkickers.com/

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