Soccer during COVID: Trainer Hector Cantele

Written by Dave Wasiolek

Many of you will remember Hector Cantele from his NFC days and the Trust’s profile earlier this year. At the time Hector and his company, MAGIS Performance, were riding high with an ever-expanding base of clients, while having just helped train David Zalzman prior to his selection in the MLS draft.

Then COVID hit, and from the middle of March through early May MAGIS Performance shut down all field training. But in the spirit of the old adage, “When life gives you lemons make lemonade,” Hector developed an entire series of online trainings designed to keep his students involved and motivated. Every Tuesday and Thursday he provided a training video customized for each of his students demonstrating drills that they could do on their own to continue to develop. On Monday and Wednesday the students received a professional game to watch where they were to focus on a particular player and then provide an analysis of the match and that player’s performance. On Fridays he hosted a live call where the players and the trainers would discuss a variety of topics, including the importance of maintaining one’s motivation and goal setting. This call would often include guest speakers from the professional soccer ranks.

As summer began and the state started to open up, MAGIS Performance once again headed out to the pitch. Utilizing a rigorous program designed to limit the risk of transmission, Hector and his team once again began in-person training. To minimize the risk of COVID transmission the program included:

-          Only small group trainings

-          Keeping social distance

-          Regular testing of coaches

-          Requiring students to wear face masks prior to and after each training session

-          Students were not allowed to touch equipment with their hands

-          Liberal use of hand sanitizer

Since MAGIS Performance moved back out on to the field, they have not had a single case of COVID transmission as a result of training,

It is not surprising that Hector and MAGIS Performance have navigated the COVID minefield so well. It is a top-notch organization with an inspired leader who is dedicated to providing his students with not just the skills to manage the challenges on the soccer pitch, but in life as well.

If you are in the Memphis area and looking for an exceptional training experience for your budding soccer star, check out MAGIS Performance at:  https://www.magisperformance.com/