Key Takeaways from the 2025 Virtual National Coaches Forum

The second speaker of the day was David Passmore, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. He shared how his approach has evolved since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparation cycle. Now, with four years to prepare for LA 2028, Passmore is all-in on a principle-based, athlete-centered philosophy. His plan focuses on five big areas: decision-making under pressure, winning ugly, technical execution under fatigue, bouncing back from adversity, and building a 10% physical edge. Mental performance is now top priority, with a “warrior mindset” program inspired by Navy SEALs and stress-tested at major tournaments. His message was clear: players must own their development, not wait for coaches to call every play.

The Coaches Panel wrapped up Day 1, bringing together four championship-winning minds: Jane Nixon (Pioneer High School), Tracey Fuchs (Northwestern), Rayell Wallace (Shippensburg), and Tina Mattera (Tufts). It was an open and honest Q&A on what drives success. They talked about building athlete buy-in through transparency, breaking big goals into small steps, and creating leadership opportunities for players at every level—from freshmen learning team culture to captains acting as extensions of the staff. The coaches also shared their favorite creative drills that keep practices competitive and fun, plus strategies for staying grounded as a coach. Their biggest reminder? Coaching is a privilege, and success comes from connection as much as tactics.

Want to know which international style Van Eijk thinks creates the most “beautiful chaos” on the field, or what Passmore means by “winning ugly”? Click here to purchase the Day 1 recordings!

Day 2 of the Forum opened with Bert Remmerswaal, assistant coach of the USWNT, sharing insights from the international stage. Remmerswaal walked attendees through the team’s transition to a man-to-man press, which was a bold move that helped the team finish second at the Pan American Cup in Uruguay and qualify for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. He broke down essentials for the system to have success, such as quick setup, constant ball pressure, and a free defender ready to intercept long balls, while showing video clips of both flawless execution and costly mistakes. He also emphasized the importance of fundamentals, from accurate push passes to head-up receiving for faster decisions. His advice for successful play was to keep tactics clear and use small-sided games to build understanding—applicable to teams and athletes of all ages!

Allan Law, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, brought a fresh perspective to Day 2 of the Forum as he shared what it takes to rebuild a program from the ground up. After his hiring last October, Law didn’t only set a vision, he also built a culture. From creating a six-person leadership group through a rigorous application process to enforcing clear standards with real consequences, his approach emphasizes ownership and accountability. Law also redefined leadership as collaboration and mentorship, giving players a voice in shaping the program’s future. As Law says, “greatness lives in the boring, unseen work”, and the team is proving it every day.

Day 2 wrapped up with a very special guest, Alice Atalanta, founder of Atalanta Leadership Forge and a performance consultant for U.S. Special Forces and USA Field Hockey. She introduced “Warrior Mindset” principles for building mental resilience and peak performance under pressure. She emphasized how stress inoculation training, which is strategically pushing athletes beyond their comfort zone, then allowing recovery before ramping up again, was central. She also explained a color code scale for gauging emotional control and the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loop for tactical advantage, showing how these mental strength tools translate to thriving under pressure on the field hockey field. Atalanta emphasized that the Warrior Mindset isn’t just for elite athletes, but youth coaches can instill grit, humility, and accountability early through tough, reflective training moments.

Curious why the USWNT made the switch to man-to-man press? Or how the USMNT turned into a united team? Purchase the Day 2 recording to learn more!

Day 3 opened with an energizing session from Brendan Creed, USMNT Assistant Coach, who unpacked the art and science of drag flicking. Creed walked coaches through the full movement—from the run-up and body alignment to stick path, hip rotation, and follow-through—always tying technical details back to what a coach can teach during training. Throughout the session, he used a series of carefully selected video clips emphasizing: Footwork Patterns, Everything Toward Goal, and Pick up Body Shape. He also showed slow-motion examples of world-class drag flicks to highlight posture, hand position, and release points common errors, helping coaches “see” breakdowns in timing, footwork, and body shape. He emphasized that drag flickers are rarely “naturals”—they’re built through smart identification and patient development.

Next, USWNT physiotherapist Hannah Jaussen delivered a thoughtful session on “bridging the gap” between injury and true return to performance. Jaussen outlined how returning from injury is rarely a straight line—it’s a shared process involving the athlete, medical staff, strength and conditioning, coaches, and often parents. She focused especially on the coach’s responsibility: keeping the athlete connected, involved, and progressing instead of isolated on the sideline. She also spoke about the mental side of recovery—fear of re-injury, loss of role, and anxiety when returning—encouraging coaches to check in often, listen, and collaborate with sports psychologist supports where available.

The Forum concluded with an exceptional conversation between Northwestern Head Coach Tracey Fuchs and Princeton Head Coach Carla Tagliente, moderated by USA Field Hockey’s Director of Operations Liz Sanders. Fresh off their journeys to the NCAA Championship, the two coaches offered a candid look at preparation, pressure, and leadership. They shared how, late in the season, simplicity becomes a competitive advantage. The two also spoke about handling distractions and social media during championship weekends, the growing physicality and competitiveness of the game, and the evolving landscape of college athletics, including NIL and the transfer portal, and what that means for culture-building and development. It was an honest, grounded conversation that blended X’s and O’s with the human realities of leading programs under the brightest lights.

Day 3 captured the spirit of the Virtual National Coaches Forum—expert teaching, honest dialogue, and practical insight that stretches well beyond tactics, offering ideas coaches can apply in their own environments.

For coaches who couldn’t join live, these recaps only scratch the surface of what was shared over the three days. The conversations, examples, and stories from Day 3—and the rest of the Forum—show just how valuable it is to be part of a space built by coaches, for coaches. If you couldn’t attend this year’s VNCF, consider purchasing the recordings so you can dig into the full sessions at your own pace and bring these ideas back to your team.

Click Here to Purchase Recordings