Classics Eagles U12 Boys Arsenal is coached by Brent Barson and Josh Ricketts. This a fun team to watch play! The team prides themselves on playing very good possession oriented soccer and playing as a team. Read more about what Coach Brent and Josh have to say about Team Arsenal below:

What is your favorite thing about coaching Team Arsenal?

Myself and Coach Josh love interacting with the players and seeing their confidence grow as the season goes on.  It is impressive that the team is so dedicated to improve their game.  We also love to just talk with the boys and hear the funny stories about school and home.  It has also been great to meet new families and have our children extend friendships to players at other elementary schools.

How many years have you been coaching and working with kids?

We have been coaching a handful of the boys since they were 5 years old and this is the second year we have been together with Arsenal .  

Tell us about the other coaches or parents helping you with the team?

Coach Josh has been terrific to work with.  He helps run practice and does a great job of running the lineups and rotations.  The parents of the players are phenomenal.   That is one of the major aspects that makes coaching so much fun.  All the families are good friends and routinely get together for dinners and other activities besides soccer.  Finally, my wife Nicki.  She has the thankless position of team administrator.  Countless hours are spent carding players, setting up games and tournaments, refs, practices, concussion forms, and overall logistics.  Without her, we probably would not have a team!  

What do you think makes this group of players special? 

Myself and Coach Josh also try to stress other aspects besides soccer.  such as being a good teammate at soccer and home with the family, working hard in school, and treating others with respect.  The coaches and parents jokingly say, "we have got to have the smartest (more than half of the players are in gifted programs in school), funniest, most polite, and respectful team in Ohio."

What is the most important thing you want the players to learn this year?

We have been stressing the importance of spacing and positional play.  We have been working hard to teach the players that what you do when you do not have the ball is actually more important than what you do with the ball; such as making runs, checking to/from, and clear/precise communication to teammates.