THE PELOTA TRAINING STANDARD
Commitment. Competence. Confidence.
#extratouchespayoff
WHAT IS PELOTA?
Pelota Training is an innovative soccer training company geared toward improving the technical abilities of individual, dedicated players of all ages and skill levels.
Our singular focus is developing excellence in soccer players through hour-long sessions as part of a tailor-made training regimen for each athlete -
and have fun doing it!
We are proud to be a purely technical training soccer company with an internal curriculum and coaching education program which ensure that the player is receiving proven training from qualified and professional coaches.
6 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION is needed to develop the consistency on the ball that strong technical players possess.
PELOTA PLAYERS
Pelota Players have the desire to be the best they can be on the ball, and the self-motivation to work harder than others to make that happen.
Who we Train
Rec League > Travel/Club > Middle/High School > Collegiate Athlete > Professional
Where we Train
DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV), New York
Must Have
Character
Will Develop
Mind
Body
PELOTA TRAINERS
Pelota Trainers love soccer! We are constantly watching, learning and enjoying the sport.
We strive every session to instill in each player a passion to want the ball at their feet, which in turn will create a self-motivation to improve their technical ability.
In addition to having top level skills, Pelota Trainers are
Positive | Patient | Respectful | Devoted | Clear Communicators | Enthusiastic Supporters
Brent Boone
Pelota Training Technical Director
Founder & Managing Partner
Contact info:
Email - boone.brent@yahoo.com
Phone - (410) 991-8124
Brent is the head coach of the SAC U20 and U23 boys teams, head coach of the U17 boys Severna Park Reign, and assistant coach of the Broadneck High School boys varsity team.
Brent has a wealth of experience with both the playing and coaching aspects of the game. As a youth, he was a standout midfielder for the Annapolis Soccer Club and earned First Team All-County honors his senior year of high school, going on to enjoy a successful collegiate career with top 20 D-II school Longwood College. He has been a coach and administrator at both club and high school levels since the early 1990s - this includes head coaching stints with clubs in the area (including his alma mater), multiple ODP teams, and as head varsity coach at St. Mary's in Annapolis as well as the director of coaching role at multiple clubs throughout the years.
Brent has a USSF "D" license and a slew of specialized coaching certificates, including a Catalyst Personal Soccer Trainer Certification and the USC Level 1 Futsal Diploma, and is a member of the US Soccer Coaches' Organization and United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA).
He is a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, and is the proud husband to his wife, Traci, and father to his two sons, Ben and Luke.
Tyler Gabarra
Director of Player Development
Co-Owner & Managing Partner
Contact info:
Email - tgabarra11@gmail.com
Phone - (443) 223-0752
Tyler is from Annapolis Maryland, He played for the Baltimore Bays and Baltimore Celtic in his club years. Tyler played at Broadneck Highschool for three out of four years (missing his sophomore season) where he was a 3 time First team All County selection, 2x First team All State, 1x First team All South Region Selection and a 1x All American in his senior year. Tyler then went on to play 4 years at NC State where he was a 2x All ACC Academic team Selection in his Senior and Redshirt Senior seasons. Tyler now plays professionally in the USL Championship.
Tyler Joined the Pelota Staff in December of 2019 and quickly thrived, just 10 months after he joined the staff he was named Director of Player development and then a few months later he jumped into a Partner/Owner role for Pelota training. Tyler Plans to take Pelota Training as far and wide as possible and both himself and Brent have very ambitious goals for the company.
Max Watson
New York Territory Manager
Contact info:
E-mail - pelotasoccertrainingny@gmail.com
Phone - (917) 653-9100
Max, originally from NYC, is currently the Head Men's Soccer Coach at SUNY Maritime College in Throggs Neck, NY. A Division III institution, competing in the Skyline Conference, Max is in his 1st year with the program. A 2022 recipient of the United Soccer Coaches "30 Under 30" Award, Watson also has Division I head coaching experience at the Virginia Military Institute.
Watson was VMI's head coach for two seasons. During the 2020 campaign (which was played in the Spring of 2021), he led the Keysets to a pair of wins, marking the first time in eight years that the team earned multiple victories. VMI also posted its highest team GPA in seven years during the 2020-21 academic year. He was elevated to head coach after serving as an assistant coach and the Keydets' recruiting coordinator during the 2019 season.
Prior to VMI, Watson spent three seasons (2015-17) as an assistant coach at the University of Mary Washington. During that time, the Eagles posted a 41-15-3 overall record, won the 2017 Capital Athletic Conference championship, and played in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Watson was an assistant to the CAC Coach of the Year in both 2016 & 2017, and he recruited the 2017 CAC Rookie of the Year.
Most recently, he worked as the Director of Player Development for the U11-U14 divisions at the Stafford Soccer Club in Stafford, VA. In addition to coaching responsibilities, Watson managed the curriculum, provided support to the technical director, assisted with college guidance and served as a mentor. He was also an academy scout for DC United of Major League Soccer, attending high-level club matches to identify, evaluate and recommend players for the DC United Academy teams.
Watson holds both a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and a United States Soccer Federation National "C" Coaching License. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Franklin & Marshall in 2015 before obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree from Mary Washington in May of 2018.
As a player, Watson was a four-year standout midfielder at Franklin & Marshall College from 2011-2014, leading the Diplomats to three Centennial Conference playoff appearances, two NCAA Tournament bids, and a 55-17-8 record during his career. He appeared in 71 contests and recorded nine points on two goals and five assists while playing a vital role as a holding midfielder.
Nick Miller
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
E-mail - nickmiller9753@gmail.com
Phone - (717) 389-5715
Nick is originally from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. During high school, he played for PA Classics, a member of the US Development Academy league, before moving on to play Division I college soccer and earning a degree in Biomedical Science at the University of New Hampshire. During his time there, he was part of a team that reached the NCAA tournament each of the last two years, reached the Sweet 16 in 2017, and won the America East Championship in 2018. In the summers, Nick also played in the semi-professional PDL and NPSL for Seacoast United and in 2017 was the captain of the Seacoast United NPSL team.
Throughout his 4 years of college, Nick gained a great deal of youth coaching experience throughout the state of New Hampshire with clubs such as Seacoast United and Portsmouth Soccer club, and ran a variety of youth camps and clinics with Soccer Sphere. Nick also gained small group training experience with CoachUp, where he discovered his passion for individual and small group training.
Nick is planning on attending graduate school to become a physical therapist while continuing his coaching career.
Myles Mansfield
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
E-mail - mylesmansfield17@gmail.com
Phone - (336) 580-5544
Myles is from Greensboro, North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Elon University in NC. Myles was a 4 year member of the Elon soccer team, helping them to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance and win vs. Clemson. He was also fortunate to win 3 Conference Championships (2 SOCON, 1 CAA) while with the Phoenix. After his playing career, he coached 2 years with NC Fusion and Greensboro Day School’s Varsity team. Myles has had experience coaching many levels of players at many different ages.
Myles is very excited and wants to continue giving back to the game of soccer by developing players’ technical skill on the ball. We personally are excited to have Myles on board as he is passionate about the technical aspect of the game and plans to help players continue their growth and development.
Jenna Buto
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
E-mail - jbuto1112@gmail.com
Phone - (410) 693 3214
Jenna grew up in Annapolis and played for many local clubs like BAYS, Crofton A3, Maryland ODP, and Maryland United. She was a four-year varsity player at Broadneck High School where she was a 2015 & 2017 4A State Champion and was awarded All-County, All-Metro, and All-State. During her senior year she was also the captain and leading goal scorer. Jenna was committed to play soccer at a division 1 college Coastal Carolina University. She is very excited to coach so that she can help grow the sport of soccer in this area and so she can help the young players reach their full potential! She is also looking forward to coaching the technical aspect of the game.
Joseph Velazquez
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
E-mail - velazquezjoseph95@yahoo.com
Phone - (787) 421 6882
The first ever Pelota trainee, Joseph is from San Juan, Puerto Rico but has been raised there and around the U.S. as a military brat. He had a prolific youth career playing in a top ranked MD club with a state finals appearance, as well as having played NCAA Division II at Lock Haven University before ending his career early to focus more on his academics.
Having recently graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Sciences, he returns home to train the newest generation of Pelota trainees while also studying for the MCAT. We are very excited to bring Joseph on as a trainer, he has what it takes to give back the next generation of kids.
Talia Gabarra
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
E-mail - taligabarra@knights.ucf.edu
Phone - (443) 254-2569
Talia is an Annapolis, Maryland Native. She played for Bethesda Soccer Club as well as Broadneck High school. In High school she was a 2x State champion, 2x All State player, 1x All South Region player, and was named Maryland State Player of the Year in her junior season.
Talia Is currently a junior at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she plays for the women's soccer team and is also working to get a degree in Business Administration.
Luke Eberle
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
Email: lweberle@liberty.edu
Phone: (443) 764 5855
Luke is an Annapolis Maryland Native who played for Baltimore Celtic up through junior year of High school, then switched to Pipeline Soccer Club for his Senior Year. Luke was Recruited by numerous division one schools ranging from Army, Navy, Colgate, and Villinova. He ended up playing at Liberty University where he is coming off a great freshmen year. Luke is looking to take Pelota Training to new heights and is very excited to be on staff.
Jake Boyle
Goal Keeper Trainer
Contact info:
Email: jakemboyle@gmail.com
Phone: (443)-603-5047
Jake is a 2012 Broadneck graduate who played at D2 Limestone University in South Carolina. After graduating in 2016, he coached Broadneck high school's girl’s goalies and helped them win a state title. Afterwards, he moved to Brisbane, Australia to play for Caboolture SFC in their 4th division. Earned keeper of the year in his first season. Earned training stints with Brisbane Roar of A League and Peninsula Power of second division. Came home right as Covid hit; has since been playing for Christos FC as well as coaching Broadneck high girls again. He helped them reach the 2021 state championship game. Jake will add a different dynamic to Pelota Training by training goalkeepers in their technical field. Jake is also very excited to give back to the young goalies and said he wishes he could have had a personal GK coach when he was growing up.
Jackson Ruckman
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
Email: jvruckman@verizon.net
Phone: (410)-279-5650
Jackson Ruckman comes from 5 years of personal training experience as a player and now coach. Jackson played club soccer growing up at Maryland United ECNL, he also went to Mcdonogh School in Owings Mills and won 3 MIAA state championships during his high school career. Jackson now plays Division 1 soccer at High Point University and won a Big South Conference Title there as well as getting HPU’s first NCAA tournament win in programs history. During summers he plays for the Annapolis Blues NPSL team. We are excited to have Jackson on board as he trained with us as a player for years so he understands the ins and outs of sessions and how to run proper technical sessions.
Griffin Hemmendinger
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
Email: griffinhemm99@gmail.com
Phone: (757)-778-2540
Griffin spent 4 seasons as a goalkeeper at the university of Mary Washington. In 4 seasons at Mary Washington, he won 3 conference championships, and also competed in 3 NCAA Tournaments. In his senior season, Mary Washington made a trip to the final 4. In his senior season, Griffin was named all-conference, conference tournament MVP, and all NCAA Tournament team. Griffin currently is a member of the Annapolis Blues NPSL team. Griffin has extensive coaching experience at Stafford Soccer Club, Fredericksburg Football Club, and he is currently the head goalkeeper coach at Pipeline Soccer Club. We look forward to having Griffin on board as he can work with both field players as well as goalkeepers!
Eva Mowery
Staff Trainer
Contact info:
Email: evamowery@gmail.com
Phone: (443)-900-0516
Eva is from Arnold Maryland. She played for Maryland United FC as well as Broadneck High School. She was a 4 Year Varsity starter, 2x All State Player, 1x All South Region Player, 1x Scholar All American Player, and 1x Anne Arundel County Player of the Year. She holds the career goals, career assists and single season goals for Broadneck.
Eva is currently a sophomore and is on the women's soccer team for the University of Maryland. We are excited to have Eva on board as she has worked with as a player for years, we are also excited to bring another successful female player on staff!
Enough about us. We want to get to know you.