Brad Gieske Soccer Ball Skills Expert
About
My name is Brad Gieske. Soccer is my way of connecting with the world. I have played since I was 5 years old, becoming a starter on Missouri's Olympic Development team, co-captain of a back-to-back state championship high school team, reserve player for a semi-professional team at age 17, member of Truman State University's team, and much more. After coming back to the O'Fallon, MO area, I founded a soccer club known as Jogadores Soccer Club, co-founded a physical education company known as Project-TAG which just released our soccer resources via Kickstarter, helped coach a semi-professional team in Kisumu, Kenya, and began working at Warehouse Courts in O'Fallon, MO as the in-house soccer trainer.
I have trained hundreds of soccer players here and around the world, traveling with Tony DiCicco's (former winning Women's US National Team coach for both World Cup and Olympics) company, SoccerPlus to provide soccer training. I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science, minoring in Chemistry and Nutrition.
I currently work 40 hours per week as an Exercise Physiologist while pursuing a Master's of Science in Human Performance and conducting a thesis on Goalkeeping Aptitude. In the near future, I will be traveling to Haiti to provide soccer outreach, and have plans to provide soccer outreach on every continent (including Antarctica, somehow). Here is a video from one of the groups I am currently training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNgIIuEjXhc
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
In the first five weeks, I introduce them to the ball skills routine which is a signature of my development process. Following the first five weeks, ball skills remain important to the warm-up and cool-down of each session, progressing in difficulty, but other weak points in the student's game will be prioritized and reviewed beyond week five.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science along with minors in Chemistry and Nutrition, work 40-hours per week as an Exercise Physiologist, am a certified personal trainer, hold a USSF National D coaching license, and have been part of collegiate and semi-professional soccer teams.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I generally start lessons at $75 per session and decrease the price with continued sessions and training packages. There is more included in the cost of a training session beyond the session itself, so contact me for more details.
How did you get started teaching?
I performed a ball skills show at a 3v3 tournament when I was 17 and received offers to train teams following my performance and autographs session.
What types of students have you worked with?
Traditionally, I have specialized in training female players, although I have worked with hundreds of male players. I have worked with five year olds through high school players with little to no experience. I have worked with elite MRL players at various age groups. And, I have worked with every age and skill level inbetween.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I traveled to Kenya with SoccerPlus Outreach and stayed for one month. There, we provided medical and soccer outreach, spending time in Karen, Masai Mara (staying with the Maasai), and the Kisumu slums where we trained a semi-professional team and about 300 children each day. I am also proud to work for Tony DiCicco's company SoccerPlus, traveling around the country to run soccer camps with the best soccer trainers in the country.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
What I provide you is just an opportunity to become a better player. If you love the game and give me your focused effort in our training sessions, you will develop as a player. Many things that I will ask you to do are challenging on purpose. I want you at the edge of your ability. In working with me at the edge of your ability, what once seemed impossible for you will become effortless. The more passion and persistence you pour into the game, the greater the player you will become. You will find your own signature way of playing, and that will be your gift to the world, your language to the world's people. Be the player your were meant to become.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1) What are your goals on the soccer field?
2) What are your goals off of the soccer field?
3) How much time do you spend playing soccer per week?