Coach Gary M. Tackling
(423) 826-0311 (Home)          tacklingexpress@comcast.net (Home)
(423) 751-6696 (Office)         gmtackling@tva.gov (Work)

Coach:            Present Select Team: ERSA Express 98 Red

Previous Select Teams: ERSA Express 92 Red, ERSA Express 94 Red
ERSA Express 95 Red

Training/Licenses:  USSF  “D” License   1996
USSF  “E” License   1995
USSF  “F” License   1994
USSF  “G” License   1993

Playing Experience: St. Marten, Netherlands, Antilles-1985 Antilles Champions (Adult Amateur)
Chattanooga Adult League Amateur-Indoor & Outdoor Goalkeeper and Defender

Present Team Names: ERSA Express 98 Red,

Past Team Rankings:  East Ridge Express 98 Red, National #1, Region #1, State #1    
East Ridge Express 92 Red, National #24, Regional #4, State #1
East Ridge Express 95 Red, #1 State                  
San Jose League Bi-Lo Coca Cola Classic Tournament & League Champions  2000 - 2005
Camp Jordan Indoor League U19B Owls #1, 2005, 2006, 2007                                                                        Camp Jordan Invitational #1, 2006, 2007, ERSA Express 92 Red

Coached and developed my 3 sons Gary, Daniel & Marc Tackling who played on the Tennessee Olympic Development Program, ERSA Division 1 select teams, San Jose League teams, Ooltewah High School Varsity and in GRCSA, RYSA and ERSA Recreation Leagues and the Camp Jordan Indoor Soccer Program.
My son Daniel Tackling played for the Nashville Metros Professional Development Team in 2008 and participated in the
2008 InfoSport Professional Soccer Combine in Sanford, Florida.

 Training Days: Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays

Coaching Philosophy: Soccer is the best sport for fun, fitness and team work.  In the early stages of player development ages 8 thru 13, Coaches need to spend 70% of their practice time on skills.  I believe in Tony Waiters micro-soccer philosophy of practicing the skills, using fun small sided games to apply those skills, and then near the end of the practice do scrimmaging so that the player gets to have fun and play the game.  During these scrimmages the Coach will select coaching moments to stop play and teach the players various options and decision making to enhance their knowledge of the game. Sometimes I like to let the players pick two Captains who pick their teammates and let them play the game with no Coach or Referee.  I enjoy watching them create their own game and enjoy the old sandlot game we used to play over 20 years ago. My practices include physical, mental, technical, and simple tactics so that the player and the team are being prepared for the game.

I believe in the USSF & TSSA’s approach of micro-soccer, ball control, dribbling and short passes at the younger ages of 10-13, however I also teach chipping, crossing, heading and volleying during these ages as part of their technical skills.  I favor the South American possession style game; however I also use the European French, Italian and Spanish style play which includes a combination of possession and direct attack.  I build strong defenses but also encourage creative attacking offenses.  I believe in order to build a good team a Coach needs a competent and motivated staff which includes some good Assistant Coaches, Trainers, Team Manager, Team Parents and some good parents and kids that love the game.