CariSamba Soccer ACADEMY
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Lessons from the Cari-Samba classroom

Students enrolled in our program are working on a variety of individual technical and tactical skills to help improve their game. Though some students may train individually, as a small group or large group, the training plan for each player is based on an assessment of areas where the player needs or seeks improvement. Below, a sampling of what some of our students are working on and how they feel about their development in the Cari-Samba program:


Caroline Spada
AFC High School Girls; Quincy High School

Caroline joined the program in Fall 2011. She enrolled to improve her technical and decision-making skills from her back line defensive roles. She is working on positional awareness, her first touch, and creating enough time once she regains possession of the ball to get off her next move, whether it be carrying the ball or passing it to a teammate.

“Conrad Whyte has taught me so much, and has made me a better person and soccer player, and he has created new achievements for me. His influence on my life will always be part of me.

He has taught me some of the most important lessons to success, and I will use those lessons throughout my life. Success in soccer, school, friendships, and any other problems, I will always have his influence with me where ever I go, and I know it has made me a stronger person.

I still have a long way to go, but Conrad’s influence will definitely help me through anything that lies in my future.”


Victoria Wallace
AFC High School Girls; Quincy High School

Victoria joined the program in Fall 2011. A strong and quick attacking midfielder with sound possession and distribution skills, Victoria entered the program with the objectives of obtaining more confidence in her decision-making skills when entering the space of the attacking third. This often meant taking on more player, carrying the ball forward, and taking more shots rather than dishing it off.

“In the year that I've trained with Conrad Whyte I have learned many skills that have helped me to improve my game. Coach has forced me to use my left foot almost as often as my right foot, which gives me the ability to do so much more in a game situation. He has done this by constantly improving my technical skills throughout practice and encouraging me to try my left foot when I am successful with my dominant foot.

Coach has guided me to a point where I can think more clearly on the field and become more intelligent about my movement off the ball and what to do with the ball when it is at my feet. I am able to think more clearly and make good decisions about a situation, like deciding when to pass or take the shot.

My game has improved greatly because of Coach.”


Kylie Kilmain
UMass Boston Womens Soccer Team Midfielder

"After being out of soccer for three years, I decided I wanted to play for my college's team. Never playing on varsity or any level close to a collegiate level of soccer, I knew I needed a great trainer to give me a chance to make the team. At first I started training with Conrad’s high school team, and then started doing personal training with him. Because of Conrad’s dedication to my training, I was able to make the team. I have never felt more confident with my foot work, soccer technique, or knowledge of the game I have loved my whole life. 

If you put in the effort, Conrad will make sure you see results. He teaches you the game in a simple manner then moves into the more complexities of soccer. Conrad will see your strengths and weaknesses and work on a regiment specifically for you. He teaches soccer out of pure love for the game. Conrad is an amazing trainer and I am lucky to be working with him. This training prepared me for college soccer and was one of the main reason I made the team." 



Danielle Paschall
AFC High School Girls; North Quincy High School

Danielle joined the program in Fall 2011. As an attacking forward, she brings incredible speed to her role and has learned over time to get power in her shots on goal. She is focusing on making better decisions as she attacks the goal, positioning herself more effectively when she does not have the ball, learning how to beat the final defenders, and learning how to make better strikes from various positions around the goal mouth.

"This is my second year training with coach Conrad.  My skills, technique and the way i see the game have all changed drastically.  From conditioning to playing soccer volleyball, there is a large variety of training techniques used at practice.  During practice coach pushes me mentally and physically to better myself in the game. He gets me to think for myself.  Due to my great relationship with my team-mates and my coach i have the confidence and now the opportunity to play college soccer."

It’s all about learning
The more I learned, the better I became. The better I became, the more I wanted to learn. As I learned more the game became more enjoyable. Like other professional athletes, playing any game at the highest levels of competition was still always about having fun. And playing the game of soccer is fun especially when you are learning.

Many parents typically equate fun in sports with just playing (and winning) and not necessarily learning. To some degree it is. Kids have fun playing in team sports, including soccer, as long as they are engaged, participating, and making a meaningful contribution. Young players can do this, and have fun too, as long as the other players around them are similarly skilled and physically constructed. This typically occurs when kids are very young, 10 and younger. At these ages, the playing field is pretty level.

As kids age, whatever sport they are playing seems to become harder or more competitive. They are and it is. What is happening is that over time some players have dropped off of the radar entirely or are less committed, and have focused on activities they seem to have more fun with. Those chosen activities, not surprisingly, are the ones they are more skilled at or successful in. So all youth sports get concentrated with more skilled and/or athletic players over time.

Around 11 and 12 years of age, there are stronger players on the field, though fewer kids overall, playing a sport. The skilled and athletic kids continue to be engaged, participate, and make a meaningful contribution to the team. Those kids who aren't doing this, the less athletic and/or those with fewer technical skills, are not having as much fun and, in time, will drop out of the sport.

When kids are learning a sport they are having fun. They can get immediate feedback on the field when they play. If they are incrementally succeeding in things they are trying to learn they are having fun. When they are not, this is no fun.

So fun in playing any sport has more to do with a player’s success in performing the skills that are required to play the game effectively. If a kid is not having success on the field, that typically means they are not learning new things and it becomes increasing more difficult be engaged, to participate, and to contribute. And there is absolutely no fun in that.

Soccer is such a simple game that is easy to learn and is easier to understand by the spectator parent. What most players, and parents, do not comprehend is that soccer is a very difficult game to master. It typically takes 10 years for young soccer players to develop their complete skills toolbox. This is about the time they are graduating from high school. That is a long learning curve and lot of time and commitment.

But any player can and will do this as long as the journey has been a learning experience.

Remember, the more you learn the better you get. The better you get the more enjoyable the game gets. And if you are like me, the better you get, the more you want to learn.

You learn to strive for perfection and catch a little excellence along the way. With learning comes great rewards and personal satisfaction. That type of success is also very enjoyable, at any age.

Conrad Whyte
President, Cari-Samba
Asst. men's coach, Eastern Nazarene College
Director of Coaching, America FC
  • Home
  • ABOUT CARISAMBA
    • Meet The Coaches >
      • Conrad Whyte
      • Idris Senyonjo
    • Training Programs
    • Training Calendar
  • Camps/Training
    • Summer Camps
    • HS Winter Training
    • Academy Training
    • Private Training
  • CARISAMBA ALUMNI
    • College Players
    • Testimonials
  • GALLERY
  • MERCHANDISE