Eryck has many years of coaching experience. He has been a Lonestar Soccer Club Staff Trainer and the Director of Training for the Town and Country Optimists. He coached a blind and visually impaired soccer team in Buenos Aires, coached High School JV Girls at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Academy, and coached Men's Soccer at Huston-Tillotson College. Read Eryck's article Deconstructing Youth Sports for insight into his coaching philosophy.

Eryck played in four World Cup Qualifiers for the Puerto Rican National Soccer Team in 1994. He has played for professional teams in London, Liverpool and Buenos Aires. Eryck holds a Master of Sport Science degree from the United States Sports Academy, Sport Coaching, a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook, EMT-Paramedic certification from Scott & White Hospital, and is working towards a Doctor of Sports Management degree.

Philosophy

As with any sport, soccer is physical in nature, and players require skills training to both improve and excel. There is a growing need for personal training of youth soccer players. Why? Because adult-controlled youth soccer is about winning, at the expense of athletic creativity and technical skills enhancement. Lacking an emphasis on individual skill development and creative enjoyment of the game, youth players can lose interest and motivation. Creative coaching is the key. This is the Avila Method.

Mission

Our mission is to give children an alternative way to experience soccer that is free of competition. It's about competence and control without the pressure to perform. It's about tailoring a program to the needs of young athletes so that through the game, they find a sense of mastery and self development. As each player establishes a rapport with the ball and hones their motor skills, their cognitive abilities also increase within a stress-free, supportive environment.

Our mission is to foster multi-dimensional thought and non traditional forms of athleticism. The Avila Method is not about speed and power. It is about rhythm, coordination, creativity, vision and individual excellence. It is the essence of the "beautiful game."

Eryck Avila, Avila Soccer, Austin, TX

Eryck Avila, M.S.S.
Founder and CEO, Avila Soccer

Structure

A typical class consists of one or two instructors working with four to eight players of similar ability. We break down moves and soccer skills into phases, and then we break each phase down further into the elements of that phase, so that children can process techniques at their own pace, giving them a sense of self-attainment. We always have fun but train with a sense of urgency! We video tape the majority of our lessons for purposes of analysis and self awareness.

Most of our classes take place between 3:30 pm and 9:30 pm, Monday through Friday. We offer group classes with 4-8 players per class, private lessons with 1-2 players per class, and team training with 8-14 players per class. Our patrons range between 5 and 60 years old, and they all have a unique story and commitment level. Call me at 363-7992; I want to hear your story in your words.

Is Avila Soccer a Resource for Serious Athletes Too?

Absolutely! Our trainers have exquisite skill and exceptional teaching ability. They are soccer artists with "down in the trenches" experience from a lifetime of playing wherever there was a space to play. They are schooled in the sociology of group dynamics and understand that teaching is all about communicating effectively. This means that athletes of all ages and commitment levels can benefit from training at Avila Soccer. Everyone from special needs kids to players in the MLS have come through our doors.

It should be noted that while we do not emphasize competition in our lessons, many of the players who train here are indeed elite athletes and use our methods to compete better on game day. The Avila hallmark is that we train without the fear of competition and, therefore, the associated emotional drawbacks. This lends itself to a more holistic approach in which top players can add variety to their game. This alternative model should in no way be mistaken for having a lack of resolve. We are committed to skills training, specifically the deconstruction of simple and extremely complex maneuvers. Top athletes find that training at Avila Soccer helps them to break through to the next level.

Facility

Come experience a facility that feels more like a home than a business. While your child receives personalized training, you can watch through shatter-proof windows, use our free wireless Internet connection, hop on a treadmill, or simply relax and unwind on our plush sofas. Our training facility is state-of-the art with air conditioning and heating for year-round comfort. We record practice sessions on DVDs as a training aid and for parents.

Say hello to Erik Carillo, our newest trainer at Avila Soccer!  Born and raised in Midland, TX, Erik has been playing soccer since he was three years old. He was a well-decorated player in high school and played with several top-level clubs in the Dallas area. Erik also played for the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) team as a freshman and played in a Professional Development League for the West Texas United Sockers in the summer of 2009.

Erik's tremendous soccer skills, team-focused approach to the game, and patient coaching help the kids at Avila soccer play their best and develop a love for the game. We're delighted to have him on our team!

Take advantage of a fantastic training opportunity and save money at the same time: sign up for one-hour private lessons with Coach Erik on Saturdays between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The cost is only $39 per private lesson. Call today before the sessions fill up!