Every month on the Surf Nation coaches newsletter, we aim to recognize one of our coaches who embodies our values, exceeds our standards, and leads by example on the sidelines and in the community.
This month’s coach is Tom Woodworth from Desert Empire Surf.
We talked to Tom about what sparked his passion for the game, what shaped his coaching philosophy, and where he draws inspiration from in today’s world:
Why do you coach?
I coach to give back to a game that has given my family so much. I coach to share information with young players that I would have liked to have received myself as a young player. I coach because it brings me joy.
Who were some of your first real influences when you started your coaching journey?
I would say my first real influence was Johan Cruyff when I discovered his philosophy and how he broke down the game in such simple detail. I think I could have sat for hours and hours listening to anything Cruyff had to say about the beautiful game. Anson Dorrance is another influence, as I have always respected and admired his career and his coaching and training philosophy.
Is there a team (past or present) that you model your playing style on?
I’d say the Guardiola era Barca team is the closest model for me…or at least that would be the closest aspiration.
Is there a player (past or present) that inspires you when you watch them play?
I was enamored with the play of Iniesta and Xavi, particularly as a dynamic duo.
What’s your favorite book related to coaching?
The first two that come to mind are “The Vision of a Champion” by Anson Dorrance and “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle. The second one isn’t so much about coaching others but more so developing and coaching yourself so that talent emerges through specific conditions.
Which professional coach do you admire and why?
I admire Pep Guardiola because of the way he looks at the game, teaches the game, and inspires even the highest-caliber player. I love his passion in the locker room and his calmness in the face of adversity. For me, Johan Cruyff is the mastermind and foundational piece of what I find fascinating and fundamental to the game. Together, Cruyff and Guardiola provide so much of my own philosophies and how I look at the game.
How would you describe the training environment that you look to create?
Fundamentally, I look to create an active, fun, and educational environment. I hope that players come away from each training session feeling like they had a great workout, enjoyed it, and want to come back, and they learned something or had something reinforced from a previous session. I love it when players are surprised when the session ends and say things like “that went by so fast,” or “is practice over already?” I love it when players engage and ask questions during and after the session.
What do you feel that Desert Empire does better than anyone else as a club?
Our club does a great job of addressing the player as a whole person. We understand the value of acknowledging the players as people first, and we believe that through the game we all love, we can really make an impact with players both on and off the pitch. So many of our coaches mentor players not only about the game but also about academics and life, and how the game can teach us tools to persevere and dominate in those areas.
