Elmer Chacon has established himself as a transformative coach in Southern California soccer over nearly two decades. Known for his winning approach to player and team development, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, his influence spans across youth clubs, high school programs, and elite competitive teams.

Current Coaching Roles

Outside of private one-on-one, small group player development along with running several annual camps and clinics, Chacon’s ongoing commitment to soccer development is evident in his current roles:

• Head Coach of Boys Soccer at Fairmont Preparatory Academy
• Coach with Strikers FC Irvine, leading high-level competitive teams
• Involvement with MLSNext programs

Player Transformation and Personal Success

At the core of Chacon’s coaching philosophy is his ability to nurture and transform young athletes. 

His methods focus on:

• Technical skill enhancement
• Tactical understanding of the game
• Physical conditioning and injury prevention
• Mental resilience and game psychology
• Academic achievement and time management

Players under Chacon’s guidance often show marked improvement not just in their on-field performance, but in their academic pursuits and overall approach to balancing sport, education, and life. A testament to his coaching prowess is the success of his own son, Elmer Jr., whom he has successfully taught and mentored in soccer, demonstrating his ability to develop talent even within his own family.

Team Building Excellence

Chacon’s teams are known for their cohesion and spirit. His approach to team building includes:

• Fostering a culture of mutual respect and support
• Encouraging leadership at all levels
• Developing clear communication channels
• Creating a shared vision and goals
• Promoting academic success as a team value

These strategies have contributed to his teams’ successes, including personal regional and national championships as a player, and national championship and regional championships with the Strikers FC Irvine and regional championships with Slammers Huntington Beach.

Comprehensive Skill Development

Chacon’s training goes beyond the field, encompassing:

1. On-field skills:
   • Tactical awareness and decision-making
   • Position-specific skills and versatility
   • Advanced ball control and dribbling techniques
2. Off-field development:
   • Lifestyle management
   • Sportsmanship and ethical conduct
   • Social responsibility
   • Reenforcement of the importance of Academic excellence

Coaching Roles and Influence

Throughout his career, Chacon has held influential positions that have allowed him to implement his developmental approach:

• Director of Coaching for California Rush
• Youth Director and Technical Director
• Coach with EA and MLSNEXT at Irvine Strikers

In these roles, he’s been able to shape training programs and mentorship initiatives that focus on long-term athlete development while emphasizing the importance of academic success. His advancement to MLSNext demonstrates his continued growth and recognition in the coaching field.

Grassroots to Elite: A Comprehensive Approach

Chacon’s experience spans from introducing toddlers to soccer through the “Lil Slammers” program which he innovated to coaching high-level competitive teams in MLSNext. This range allows him to understand player development at every stage, informing his coaching methods and player progression strategies. At all levels, he instills the value of education and encourages players to strive for excellence in both academics and athletics.

Continuing Impact

Elmer Chacon’s career is characterized by his commitment to developing not just skilled soccer players, but well-rounded individuals prepared for success in all aspects of life. His approach to coaching, focusing on comprehensive development both on and off the field, including a strong emphasis on academic achievement, continues to influence players and teams across Southern California and beyond.

As Head Coach at Fairmont Preparatory Academy and a coach with Strikers FC Irvine, Chacon directly shapes the soccer experience of a wide range of players, bridging the gap between academic rigor and athletic excellence at various competitive levels. His legacy is evident in the numerous student-athletes who have excelled in soccer while maintaining high academic standards, many going on to pursue higher education and successful careers. His success with his own son, Elmer Jr., further underscores his ability to mentor and develop young talent, even within his own family.

Through his multi-faceted coaching career, Elmer Chacon continues to set the standard for youth soccer development, emphasizing the crucial balance between athletic achievement and academic success across high school, club, and elite competitive platforms.

Elmer Chacon has established himself as a transformative coach in Southern California soccer over nearly two decades, known for his winning approach to player and team development.

Player Transformation

At the core of Chacon’s coaching philosophy is his ability to nurture and transform young athletes. 

His methods focus on:

• Technical skill enhancement
• Tactical understanding of the game
• Physical conditioning and injury prevention
• Mental resilience and game psychology
• Academic achievement and time management

Players under Chacon’s guidance often show marked improvement not just in their on-field performance, but in their academic pursuits to balancing sport, education and life.

Team Building Excellence

Chacon’s teams are known for their cohesion and spirit. His approach to team building includes:

• Fostering a culture of mutual respect and support
• Encouraging leadership at all levels
• Developing clear communication channels
• Creating a shared vision and goals
• Promoting academic success as a team value

These strategies have contributed to his teams’ successes, including personal regional and national championships as a player, and national and regional championships with the Irvine Strikers and Slammers Huntington Beach.

Comprehensive Skill Development

Chacon’s training goes beyond the field, encompassing:

1. On-field skills:
   • Advanced ball control and dribbling techniques
   • Tactical awareness and decision-making
   • Position-specific skills and versatility
2. Off-field development:
   • Lifestyle management
   • Sportsmanship and ethical conduct
   • Social responsibility
   • Reenforcement of the importance of Academic excellence

Coaching Roles and Influence

Throughout his career, Chacon has held influential positions that have allowed him to implement his developmental approach:

• Director of Coaching for California Rush
• Youth Director and Technical Director
• Coach with EA and MLSNEXT at Irvine Strikers

In these roles, he’s been able to shape training programs and mentorship initiatives that focus on long-term athlete development.

Grassroots to Elite: A Comprehensive Approach

Chacon’s experience spans from introducing toddlers to soccer through the “Lil Slammers” program which he innovated to coaching high-level competitive teams. This range allows him to understand player development at every stage, informing his coaching methods and player progression strategies. At all levels, he instills the value of education and encourages players to strive for excellence in both academics and athletics.

Continuing Impact

Elmer Chacon’s career is characterized by his commitment to developing not just skilled soccer players, but well-rounded individuals prepared for success in all aspects of life. His approach to coaching, focusing on comprehensive development both on and off the field, including a strong emphasis on academic achievement, continues to influence players and teams across Southern California and beyond. Chacon’s legacy is evident in the numerous student-athletes who have excelled in soccer while maintaining high academic standards, many going on to pursue higher education and successful careers.