Soccer academy founder writes book to help coaches cultivate joy

MOUNT DESERT — When Michael Curless took up soccer at 9 years old, he did so because he found joy in playing the game. He wants to help parents and coaches, especially parent coaches, cultivate that same joy with his newly published book, “Coaching Positional Soccer: Perfecting Tactics and Skills.”

Over the last three years, Curless, who founded Acadia Fire Fútbol Club/Soccer Academy, has put together what one reader described, “as comprehensive a soccer book as you’ll ever find.”

“The book is good for all ages – from 5 year olds to adults,” wrote Curless in an email to the Islander about the more than 400-page book. “The drills can be made easier or harder depending on the players’ abilities. There are over 150 diagrams and over 70 illustrations that help describe the drills and exercises.

“It’s breaking soccer down into different learning chunks. The bulk of the book has a lot of practice plans.”

Yet to be available at local bookstores, the book can be ordered on Amazon, where it has been ranked as one of the top-selling soccer coaching books since its release, as well as Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, BAM! and Meyer & Meyer Sport.

“I wrote the book that I wished I had had when I first started coaching,” Curless explained. “When I was writing the book, I imagined I was writing to a 30-ish-year-old parent that volunteered to coach but had no idea where to start. This book was written for that parent as well as seasoned coaches looking to expand their understanding of the game and ways to improve their team and players.”

Much of the content was based on the 12 years Curless spent as head of Acadia Fire Soccer Academy, which he handed off about three years ago, and comes from his own developmental years in the game.

“Soccer was overwhelmingly exciting and enthralling from the first touch of the ball at my first practice,” said Curless, who played on a professional development soccer team in Austria at 16 years old. “Later, I met some famous soccer players like George Best, Johann Cruyff and Pele that further grew my interest.”

As he finished high school, Curless was offered scholarships by several California colleges to play on their soccer teams, but he opted to go overseas and play professionally.

“I wanted to live and play somewhere where soccer was taken more seriously,” he said. “I grew up watching a show on PBS called ‘Soccer Made in Germany’ that broadcasted a soccer game every week from former West Germany. I always idealized German soccer teams, so after high school, I went to Germany and played fifth division (professional soccer).

“The next year I went to France and played fourth division. I was invited to try out for a second division team in France when I returned home to go to college.”

Although he was recruited by several American colleges to play, Curless decided to retire from the game at the age of 20 and focus on earning a degree.

“If you throw everything into one thing, you can get a little off balance,” he explained about his relationship with the game as a young adult. Then, once he began coaching again in his 30s, Curless had an epiphany. “Soccer didn’t have to be so full of pressure. It was quite a journey to get that insight. I realized, we can coach differently.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL CURLESS

When he launched Acadia Fire FC Soccer Academy after coaching through Harbor House Community Services in Southwest Harbor, Curless wanted to make the game fun, focus on coaching kids respectfully and not using shame, guilt or anger to motivate players. And, importantly, he wanted to focus on skill development and creative tactics.

“That ideology brought a lot of success to the club,” he said in a conversation with the Islander. “We won everything.”

In 2018, Curless was awarded Soccer Maine’s Premier Coach of the Year. “I took three teams to the state cup finals and two of them won so they had to give it to me,” he said in jest.

“The drills and teaching techniques that are in the book were developed while coaching at AFFC,” he said. “I would ask coaches the question, should we ever repeat a practice? And my answer to them was ‘no’ since we should always be looking for ways to make our coaching better.

“This constant reevaluation of my coaching led to consistent improvement over time in my approach to coaching and the development of the drills in the book.”

To find out more or to order a copy of the book, go to coachingpositionalsoccer.com.

Sarah Hinckley covers the towns of Southwest Harbor, Tremont and neighboring islands. Send story ideas and information to [email protected]

Top Five Favorite Books

So, today is National Book Lovers Day and it made me realize, sadly, that I don’t read paperback books anymore. However, in honor of this holiday, I thought it would be fun to breakdown what my five favorite books are. By the way, this was a hard list because all of these books are classic, in my opinion.

No. 5

This tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an entrepreneur with a shaky past. To be honest, I don’t remember too many details about the story, except for the flashy parties. Of course, who could forget the movie that was released in 2013 with Leonardo DiCaprio. The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who is a Minnesota native, released this classic novel in 1925, behind his other works of “The Side of Paradise” and “The Beautiful and Damned.” It will definitely give you insight inside the business world if you have a chance to read it.

No. 4

Animal lovers…warning! This story is about a man named Billy, who’s narrating his childhood memories about his time “coon hunting” with his dogs, “Little Ann” and “Old Dan.” I won’t spoil anything because the story is somber but has joyous moments throughout. Would absolutely recommend!

No. 3

Jeff Kinney is the author and illustrator behind the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. There is so much nostalgia with these stories because they’re so relatable. Greg Heffley, the protagonist, has an older brother who teases him and a younger spoiled brother. Yes…some of you know what it’s like being the middle child. Plus, Greg struggles with another modern problems with most kids nowadays. He spends majority of his time playing video games instead of playing outside. There a total of 16 books, but my favorite would probably have to be the second one, “Rodrick Rules.” Again, this one taps into his older brother who is a constant instigator. If you would like relatable characters in a cartoony depiction, then this is the series for you!

No. 2

Where do I begin? Who doesn’t know the story of the “Boy Who Lived.” I had to include these as a set because Harry Potter is one of my favorite worlds to venture into. My favorite one them to read would have to be “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” There’s nothing like reliving the beginning of Harry’s journey. However, when it comes to book covers, “Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix” gets my vote there. The dark blue catches my eye immediately, plus the mysterious position that Harry is in offers some wonder about the potential danger he is facing. Anyway, this series holds a special place in my heart.

No. 1

When I think of reading, this is the first book that enters my mind. “The Outsiders” by Susan E. Hinton is the story pertaining two rival gangs, The Greasers and The Socs. There are so many classic characters in this book from Ponyboy, Johnny Cade, Sodapop Curtis, Dallas Winston and so many others. It definitely is recommending for an older audience to its violent nature, but a story that is worth-while. Similar to “Where The Red Fern Grows,” it has an emotional impact, just executed in a different way. This is a heartfelt story that will leave you spinning with emotions afterwards.

Those are my top five books. Each one is special is its own right and have impacted me in unique ways. Taking the time to share this list with you, I have been inspired to find a great book to read!