St. Louis · U8 through High School

Develop the player. Build the person.

The Legends Training Method puts individual skill development ahead of team results — growing creative dribblers and finishers from their first touch through high school.

U8–HS
Age Range
Skill First
Development Focus
Every Position
For Every Player
Attitude · Effort
Core Values
Our approach

The Legends Training Method

We coach at the “Edge of Chaos” — the state where the most growth occurs. Players are pushed past comfortable play and asked to solve real game problems with the ball at their feet. Along the way they build the qualities the game develops best: leadership, teamwork, courage, and creative decision-making under pressure.

Skill Over Standing

Extreme focus on individual technique — dribbling, finishing, and decision-making — over team results or club standing. A child’s development as a player and a person matters more than any youth win.

Play Through Pressure

We don’t prompt players to kick the ball out of bounds to relieve pressure. We prioritize technical ability and tactical awareness over easy, comfortable play.

Every Position, Every Player

All players play every position during the season. As ability grows, tactical instruction is delivered from each position on the field. Mistakes aren’t punished with the bench — only a lack of focus or effort is.

A St. Louis Legends player in a black and red kit challenging an opponent for the ball during a match
A St. Louis Legends player in a white and red kit dribbling the ball during a match
St. Louis Legends players checking on a teammate during a match
What we believe

Every child is good enough.

We accept every child based on future potential — not current athletic prowess. Our job is to give every player a path forward, on the ball and as a person.

  • Empower, don’t intimidate. Coaches lead through example and teaching — not fear of the bench.
  • Push past comfort. Growth happens at the edge of a player’s abilities, on and off the field.
  • Be the first amazing you. We coach the player your child is becoming, not a copy of someone else.
  • Go give. Effort, generosity, and a teammate-first mindset are the standard.
Player pathway

From first tryout to the next level

A clear progression of milestones for Legends players who choose to keep climbing.

Youth & High School

Tryouts, training blocks, and league play from U8 through high school.

Tournaments & Leagues

Regular competitive matches and tournaments throughout the season.

Local & Travel Tournaments

Local and travel tournament options are chosen around player development needs, team fit, and what families want or are able to do.

College & Pro

College soccer and, for the few who reach it, professional soccer.

Scott Gaither with a St. Louis Legends boys team celebrating with medals after a tournament
Boys team photo with Scott Gaither — celebrating a tournament weekend together.
Leadership

Coached by Scott Gaither

Director of Coaching, St. Louis Legends Soccer Club.

  • Former professional soccer player — nine seasons.
  • Former head and assistant college soccer coach.
  • Former head varsity high school coach.
  • Creator of HappyFeet; co-founder of HappyFeet Legends International LLC.
  • 32 years of experience coaching youth soccer.
In his words

“A child’s development as a player and a person is more important than the team, the club, or any youth win. We coach the player first.”

For college scouts

See Legends players in action

Browse highlight reels, request a player profile, or contact our staff to plan a visit to an upcoming Legends event.

HD
Match Film
Tagged
Player Reels
Flexible
Local & Travel Tournaments
Direct
Coach Contact
Tryouts

Ready to play for the Legends?

Register for an upcoming tryout session and meet our coaching staff.