CHICAGO (April 30, 2008) – CoachesNet caught up with U.S. Men’s Paralympic National Team head coach James Hoffman in the latest edition of “Starting XI.” Hoffman gives insight into his coaching philosophy, coaching education and developing leaders.

In “Starting XI,” coaches answer 11 questions focusing on a wide range of subjects, from coaching education and youth development to modern technology in the game of soccer.

“Once they cross that line, it’s their game,” said Hoffman when discussing his coaching philosophy (watch). “It’s not about us as coaches; it’s about them being able to make decisions.”

Hoffman began as an instructional staff coach with U.S. Soccer in 1977. Since then he has been involved in a number of different capacities with the national team programs at all levels, including a head coaching stint with the U-20 Men’s National Team, assistant coach positions with the full Women’s National Team, U-18 Women’s National Team and U-17 Men’s National Team, and working as a scout during the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Driven to give coaches greater insight into how the U.S. National Teams train and operate, CoachesNet and Starting XI is a resource like no other (sign up). Hoffman’s interview is the fifth installment of the Starting XI series (watch).

“We also spend a lot of time on trying to develop leaders in this group because leaders are the ones at the end that can hold the whole team chemistry issue together and make everybody work towards that goal,” said Hoffman on player development and team chemistry.

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