Charlie Slagle is a long-time soccer coach at many levels, most prominently for 21 years at Davidson College, where he is a Hall of fame inductee and was named D-I Men's National Coach of the Year. Charlie also served for 12 years as CEO of Capital Area Soccer League and is now CEO for Tampa Bay United and President for United Soccer Coaches (@UnitedCoaches).

Here, Slagle suggests and encourages use of free play for kids to work on their skills while developing athletic creativity that will make them better players. Not only does a kid who goes out and hones their skills get better on the field of play but they have fun in the process and build a long term love for the game. Slagle suggests that coaches give the players specific drills and ideas for improving their skills in their free time away from practice. Practicing drills away from practice gives kids a safe environment to improve and can help overall focus levels on off days as well.