Full Armor Soccer

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Soccer For Life · Online & In-Person in Raleigh, NC

Forged strong. Anchored in faith.

Ephesians 6:11 — Put on the full armor of God

Work hard. Honor God. Let the game be played with joy that lasts.

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What Is Full Armor Soccer?

Full Armor Soccer is a faith-centered soccer development membership — built entirely online, so it can go anywhere you go and stay with you at every stage of the game.

Most training programs end when a season ends, when a player moves away, or when their playing days are over. Full Armor Soccer doesn't. It's built to be the one soccer relationship that follows a player from their first youth season through high school, college, and beyond — and stays relevant even after competitive playing days end, whether that means coaching, staying sharp through ArmorBall (new 1v1 soccer sport), adult league or simply staying a healthy, capable athlete for life.

The mission is simple: work hard, honor God, and let the game be played with joy that lasts.

Soccer For Life — Every Stage, One Platform

Youth Player Age-appropriate physical development, foundational technical work through the Skill Challenges library, and the start of a training habit that will serve a player for the rest of their life.

Academy/High School Player Periodized physical programming built around competitive season demands, technical growth tracking, and guidance on how to approach recruiting conversations and next-level exposure.

College Player Programming built around a college pre-season, in-season, and off-season calendar, direct access to ask questions about training load, recovery, and performance.

Professional / Elite Player High-level programming and direct coaching access for players competing at the highest level, informed by 20+ years working inside professional and collegiate environments.

Post-Playing: Coach Guidance and resources for the player who moves into coaching — training philosophy, session design, and how to build the same kind of development environment for the next generation.

Post-Playing: Competitor For the player who wants to keep competing after club, college or professional soccer end — a direct on-ramp into ArmorBall, the home of 1v1 soccer, where the technical and physical foundation built here gets tested directly. Or a transition to adult league or another form of soccer (futsal, beach, street, etc.).

Lifetime Athlete For anyone who no longer plays competitively but wants to stay strong, mobile, and capable using the same training principles that built elite players — soccer-informed fitness for the long run.

Train In Person in Raleigh, NC

Prefer to train face-to-face? Full Armor Soccer offers private and small group coaching at CrossFit Full Armor, GRACE Christian School and various local fields — bringing the same Complete Football development (physical, technical, tactical, mental, spiritual) to life on the field. Sessions tailored to a player's specific track, goals, and access to weekly online coaching — the fastest way to accelerate development with direct, personal attention.

Meet the Creator

Full Armor Soccer was born out of my own story — the mistakes I made, the lessons I learned too late, and a desire to give players something I never had.

I didn't come to faith until 2015, at 29 years old. My playing career was already behind me. Looking back, I can see clearly how much that absence shaped everything.

I grew up with one vision: play professionally for a top club and represent the United States in a World Cup. And for a moment, it looked like it might actually happen. By 14 I was the starting center back for the top club team in the country — one of a handful of defenders being tracked by regional and national team scouts. The path was there.

But I made a decision that changed everything. I watched forwards score goals, receive glory, and command attention — and I wanted that. So I walked away from a position I was genuinely elite at and chased something I wasn't built for. Not because I lacked ability, but because my identity was wrapped up in the wrong thing. I wanted to be seen.

I worked hard enough to earn looks from top Collegiate Division I programs. Coaches always found their way back to putting me at center back. Teams won. But I was selfish — I resisted the role consistently, moved into attacking positions, and performed adequately when I could have been exceptional somewhere else.

After college I played in the USL, attended a combine in Florida, and caught the attention of a coach from Real Salt Lake who invited me to training camp. From there a group traveled to Turkey for pre-season camp alongside some of Europe's top clubs. I was asked to play in a defensive role. I stayed briefly — and then simply stopped.

I remember walking along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea thinking I want nothing to do with soccer anymore.

I had trained without a single day off since I was six years old. I was 24. I was emotionally hollow — worn down by difficult teammates, demanding coaches, multiple concussions I hadn't properly recovered from, and a spiritual battle I didn't yet have the tools to fight. I believe God was pulling me out of the game for that season of my life. I just didn't know it yet.

What I thought was failure, I now understand was preparation.

I spent the next fifteen years in fitness, strength and conditioning, and soccer coaching — working at high level clubs and colleges, developing players, and slowly falling back in love with a game I had once wanted nothing to do with. I've only recently started to enjoy soccer the way it was meant to be enjoyed — freely, without my identity riding on it.

That's what Full Armor Soccer is for.

I want to build an environment where players don't make the choices I made. Where soccer is a gift held loosely, not an identity gripped tightly. Where players are developed completely — physically, technically, tactically, mentally and spiritually — and sent out not just as great players but as people grounded in God, ready to honor Him and carry the gospel wherever the game takes them.

Instead of becoming the world class center back I may have been, God used every wrong turn to shape me into something more useful — a coach who understands the pitfalls from the inside, and who genuinely wants something better for the players in his care.

Full Armor Soccer

The Method

Ephesians 6:11 ‍ ‍

  • Your program is built around GPP (General Physical Preparedness) and SPP (Specific Physical Preparedness), structured in weekly microcycles delivered directly to you — periodized for your season, your position, and your individual physical profile. Every plan accounts for the fact that no two athletes train the same way: genetics, strengths, and tendencies all shape what your body actually needs.

  • Short, intentional technical tests — delivered through our Skill Challenges library — track your development in aerial control, dribbling, passing, receiving, finishing, and defending. Submit your scores and see exactly where to spend your next hour of practice.

  • Real proof doesn't require me standing next to you. Submit video for technical review and Skill Challenge verification, and when you're ready to test yourself against a real opponent, ArmorBall — our 1v1 competitive format — gives you the most honest physical and technical test that exists in the game.

Full Armor Soccer Coaching

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    • Periodized physical training programming

    • Technical testing and development tracking through Skill Challenges

    • Growth-area guidance based on your test results

    • Weekly content for your specific track

    • Nutritional guidance

    • Guidance on peaking for matches and managing a competitive season

    • Injury prevention and recovery protocols

    • Recruiting, collegiate, and professional pathway guidance

    • Direct access to ask questions and get feedback

    • A faith-centered approach to development, on and off the field

    • Lifelong tools that carry a player from youth through adulthood — in soccer, in , in coaching, and in general health

  • Full Armor Soccer Online — $59/month (First week free)

    Your training track, built for where your at right now — Youth, High School, College, Professional & Adult Competitive, Coaching or Lifetime Athlete. Every week, your track receives the same professionally built training, delivered straight to your inbox — because real development doesn't need to be complicated to be effective.

    What's included:

    • Weekly training, delivered by email — your physical training (GPP (General Physical Preparedness)-based conditioning and strength work), a soccer skill test, and recommended competitive play for the week (ArmorBall 1v1, or 2v2/3v3 small-sided play)

    • Weekly technical challenges — compete against friends or yourself while getting purposeful touches.

    • Your track's WhatsApp group — questions, encouragement, and tips, alongside players on the same path as you

    • Ongoing Full Armor Blueprint content — training, nutrition, tactical understanding, mental toughness, and faith-centered development, delivered as part of your weekly emails

    No matter where you are in the game, you can ask.

    One of the biggest values of being a Full Armor Soccer member is direct access to ask any question, at any stage of your soccer journey — through your track's WhatsApp group. No question is too small, and no stage is too far along to still need real answers.

    Here's what that actually looks like at each stage:

    • Youth: "How do I improve my speed as a player and my 1v1 attacking ability?"

    • High School/Academy: "What do I do to get noticed by collegiate scouts?"

    • College: "How do I approach going from starting to being on the bench and playing out of position?"

    • Professional/Elite: "What are best protocols to manage recovery and training load to stay effective over a full season, year after year?"

    • Adult Competitive: "How do I approach the game now, and what version of soccer — rec league, pickup, ArmorBall — actually fits where I'm at?"

    • Coaching: "How do I structure a training session that develops both technical skill and tactical understanding for my team?"

    • Lifetime Athlete: "What do I do to stay fit and keep developing my soccer skills without getting hurt?"

    Whatever stage you're in, whatever you're facing — you have a place to ask.

    This is Full Armor Soccer built to go the distance — training that can stay with a player for life, because it's built to grow with you.

    Full Armor Soccer — Private / Small Group Training
    Your first session is free.

    Personalized coaching built around a player's specific track, goals, and development needs. Whether it's one-on-one or a small group of like-minded players, every session is built around the same Complete Football standard — physically dominant, technically sharp, tactically intelligent, mentally tough, and spiritually grounded.

    What's included:

    • Hands-on coaching tailored to your track — Youth, High School, College, Professional & Adult Competitive, Coaching, or Lifetime Athlete

    • Direct, in-person feedback on technical skill, tactical decision-making, and physical training

    • Sessions built around your individual Blueprint — nutrition, sleep, physical training, technical development, tactical intelligence, mental toughness, and spiritual growth

    • Flexible scheduling to fit your team, family, or personal training goals

    Rates:

    • Contact us for private and small group (2-4 players) rates

    Add-On: Video Analysis

    Get direct, personal feedback from Eric on your workout movement, technical skill work, or match/training footage.

    Options:

    • 30 min or less: $65

    • 30-60 min: $95

    • 60-90 min: $125

  • Every player who joins Full Armor Soccer — in any format — receives the full Full Armor Blueprint: a complete plan covering nutrition, sleep, physical training, technical development, tactical intelligence, mental toughness, and spiritual growth, built into your training from day one.

    Try it first, on us:

    • Full Armor Soccer Online: Your first week is free.

    • Private / Small Group Training: Your first session is free.

    No pressure, no commitment — just come see what Full Armor Soccer is about.

One Game, Many Forms

Whatever stage you're in, whatever's available to you, there's a version of the game that fits. Here are the forms of soccer we train for, play, and encourage players to explore at every stage of the journey.

Forms of Soccer

  • The traditional game — full field, full teams, full tactics. The foundation most competitive players are built around.

  • A smaller-field, smaller-team version of the traditional game, demanding more touches, more decisions, and more space to exploit per player.

  • Played on a smaller indoor or turf pitch with boards instead of sidelines — fast, high-touch, and a great option for year-round play regardless of weather.

  • A low-bounce ball, hard court, and five players per side. Widely credited for developing some of the best technical players in the world due to its emphasis on close control and quick thinking in tight spaces.

  • Stripped-down, high-repetition soccer. Fewer players means more responsibility on the ball and constant 1v1 and 2v1 situations — excellent for technical and decision-making development.

  • Played on sand, which slows the ball and demands more power and balance on every touch. A fun, physically demanding variation that builds strength and touch in a completely different environment.

  • A net, no hands, and pure touch. Played 1v1 or 2v2, it sharpens first touch, control, and creativity under a very specific kind of pressure.

  • The purest test in the game — no teammates, no hiding. Just one player against another, across four different surfaces, with real rankings on the line.

  • Ball mastery as its own discipline — tricks, control, and creativity with no opponent or goal involved, purely about your relationship with the ball.

  • Pickup-style soccer played on pavement, in small spaces, with minimal rules — often where creativity and flair get built before they ever show up on a real field.

Discover your optimal position

As you go through the different forms of soccer you will start to see where you might be best suited to play in an 11-a-side match. Physical qualities, technical ability, tactical awareness and personality will play a role when discovering optimal positions.

Physical Qualities

  • Long-duration aerobic work. Builds the engine that sustains performance across a full match and a full season.

    Lactate Threshold: Long challenging efforts over 11 minutes

    • Example: 20 minute row for max meters

    Aerobic Threshold: Long moderate efforts over 11 minutes

    • Example: 20 minute row at a moderate pace

    Strength Endurance: Build structural durability over time — the ability to maintain proper mechanics and resist fatigue

    • 20 minute AMRAP: 10 pull ups/20 DB walking lunges

    Power Endurance: Sustain explosive capacity across a full session

    • Example: 18 minutes: 12 med ball slams/12 broad jumps

    Agility Endurance: Keep movement mechanics sharp over long durations

    • Example: 15 minute agility ladder (in-in-out-out), rest :30 every 10 efforts

  • High-intensity interval work. Builds the ability to repeat hard efforts and recover between them — the primary energy demand of soccer.

    Glycolysis: Intervals and hard short efforts 15 seconds-2 minutes

    • Example: 4×200m/Rest 8:1

    V02 max: Intervals and hard short efforts 2 minutes-11 minutes

    • Example: 3×800m run/2 minute rest

    Strength Stamina: Build the ability to produce high structural force repeatedly without full recovery

    • 5 rounds 10 thrusters/90 second rest

    Power Stamina: Reproduce explosive efforts without full recovery

    • Example: 4 rounds :30 box jumps/:30 off

    Agility Stamina: Maintain movement quality and joint control through accumulated fatigue

    • Example: 5 minute continuous T-Test

  • Structural and functional load-bearing. The foundation of power, durability, and injury resistance.

    1–5 reps: Max strength (heavy load, neural focus, some myofibrillar growth)

    • Example: 3×3 rep back squat/5 minute rest

    5–8 reps: Strength + myofibrillar hypertrophy

    • Example: 2×8 deadlift/3 minute rest

    8–12 reps: Hypertrophy (mix of myofibrillar + sarcoplasmic)

    • Example: 10 rep max bench press

    12–20+ reps: Hypertrophy with more metabolic stress (often labeled “sarcoplasmic”)

    • Example: 2×15 push press/3 minute rest

  • Explosive output. The ability to produce maximum force in minimum time — sprinting, jumping, striking.

    Short explosive efforts where maximum force can be applied to a quick movement

    • Example: 6×3 med ball slam/rest as needed

  • Maximal velocity over short distances. Efforts under 15 seconds. Pure sprint quality.

    Efforts under :15 that can be completed by repeating a movement pattern as fast as possible

    • Example: 3x:10 bike sprint/3 minute rest

    Speed Strength: Short efforts that can be completed by repeating a strength movement pattern as fast as possible

    • 10×2 back squat/:60 rest

  • Rapid directional change and movement quality. The ability to accelerate, decelerate, and redirect efficiently.

    Short duration efforts that require quick deceleration to acceleration.

    • Example: 5×5yd shuffle down and back to 5yd backpedal

  • Training that intentionally combines two or more physical domains inside a single piece of work — strength, power, stamina, endurance, agility, or speed — to build the capacity to perform across multiple demands without full recovery between them.

    What it is

    A mixed modal session is not a test of one physical quality. It is a deliberate combination of two or more domains sequenced inside a single continuous effort. Where a pure strength session isolates load and rest, and a pure stamina session isolates intervals, mixed modal work removes that isolation — demanding that the body produce different types of force and energy output back to back, round after round.

    This reflects how soccer is actually played. A match does not ask a player to sprint, then rest fully, then jump, then rest fully, then hold off a challenge. It asks all of those things in rapid, unpredictable sequence. Mixed modal training builds the physical and neurological capacity to meet that demand.

    • Example: 3 rounds for time of 10 presses/200m row/30 box jumps

  • The ability of your muscles and joints to move through a full range of motion. It helps improve movement efficiency, reduce injury risk, and perform actions like sprinting, turning, and kicking more effectively.

    Every session closes with mobility work while the body is still warm. The session ends right so the body recovers right. This is non-negotiable regardless of session type.

    Methods: 1-3 minute standing straddle, deep lunge active reaches, foam roll quads

  • Skill work such as juggling, dribbling, shooting, etc., promotes the ability for the brain to develop the appropriate neural pathways to have technical proficiency

The Foundation

"Work hard. Honor God. Let the game be played with joy that lasts."

The mission of Full Armor Soccer

We pray before we play. Not to win even though we always try to — but to remember why we're here, who gave us these bodies, and what it means to compete with integrity. The standings are real. The effort is full. The perspective is anchored in something greater than the scoreline.

Work Hard We train in any condition — rain, cold, heat, snow. We play on any surface — grass, turf, dirt, street, pavement. We do not wait for perfect circumstances to put in the work. Fitness and technical skill are not given. They are built through time, repetition, and the willingness to show up when it would be easier not to. We play hard because that is how we honor the ability we have been given.

Honor God Contrary to much of the soccer world, we do not dive. We do not complain to officials. We do not retaliate when opponents are harsh. We are respectful whether we win or lose, whether the other team reciprocates or not.

We are not soft. We compete physically, we challenge for every ball, we press hard, and we play to win. There is nothing honorable about backing down from a contest or shrinking from competition. The difference is intent — we play hard against our opponents, never at them. We do not go in to hurt. We go in to win. That line is clear and we hold it.

We do not need to repay anyone for anything — God sees all and He is our foundation. We carry on. We give our best. We try to win the right way, every time, because how we play is a reflection of who we serve. The scoreboard is temporary. Character is not.

Enjoy the Game While we work at a high level, we play with genuine joy. Soccer is a gift and we treat it that way. We compete with energy, we express our individual gifts freely, and we build each other up rather than tear each other down. We celebrate our teammates. We embrace the grind because we love the game it produces. The best teams are not just physically sharp — they are connected, and connection starts with enjoying what you do together.


Full Armor Soccer exists for players who want to compete hard and go home at peace — because their identity isn't on the scoreboard.

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Testimonials

  • Daniel Gwyther - Watford

    "I have been fortunate to play with some great players during my career but quite frankly EJ is one of the most disciplined athletes I have ever met. Always at the forefront of fitness whether on the field or in the weight room, EJ was constantly looking for ways to improve be it through nutrition, physiology or psychology. Anyone looking to enhance their athletic prowess through an elite training program should contact EJ as his passion and knowledge will elevate your performance."

  • Martin John - Cardiff City

    "EJ's meticulousness and understanding of both nutrition and physical conditioning with regards to optimal football performance has been unrivaled during my time as a footballer.

  • Zack Compton - UNC Asheville

    "Eric Johnson's soccer training with our son has changed Zack's life for the better! Zack's overall soccer fitness and skill level has been taken to the next level and then some. When Zack was certain that he wanted to pursue playing college soccer, we contacted Eric to discuss a plan for increasing Zack's soccer fitness level to be competitive at the collegiate level. With Eric's professional guidance, Zack's speed on the field and improvement in his footwork has enabled Zack, a center forward, to get around tough defenders and consistently score goals for his team. Zack's dream of playing collegiate soccer has been realized due to consistent and ongoing personal training with Eric. Eric's positive outlook, focus and commitment to excellence in all aspects of his training truly sets Eric Johnson apart from other trainers. I can highly recommend Eric Johnson to successfully train and mentor any soccer player at any skill level and age to improve his/her game!"

  • Greg Shepka - Western Michigan

    "I had the distinct please to play both with and against Eric in club/ODP and college. As a teammate nobody worked harder and cared more. He worked effortlessly to continue to grow as a player and always help others accountable. As an opponent both his skill and work ethic made him extremely hard to go against. I fully endorse Eric both as a person and coach, as you won't find anybody who holds the passion for the game the way Eric does."

  • Kyle Mckinney - Penn State

    "Eric has always been dedicated to training and becoming as physically and mentally fit as possible. His focus and discipline in both areas has made him a great mentor. A great teacher must also follow his own regime, and he does that."

  • Lee Catchpole - Norwich and England

    "I can attest that EJ is one of the most driven, knowledgeable, young soccer minds in the game. He remains dedicated to implementing the best strategies and research-based methods for improving fitness and overall performance. EJ is committed to excellence and I have no doubt that you will be thoroughly satisfied with his service."

  • Yahaya Musa - Wilmington Hammerheads

    "One thing I remember about EJ is his intensity with everything he does. Whether it was in training or games he had an intensity that was contagious."

  • Ernest Alvaro - Tahuichi Academy

    "EJ possessed the unique understanding of the game that he can readily pass on to aspiring players. He was not only one of the most technically talented players on the field, but also one of the fittest and smartest. I trained with EJ on several occasions while at Buffalo and his ability to quickly analyze and provide insight was always extremely beneficial to my development. I am confident that his expertise will be crucial to young players who want to reach their goals of college or professional soccer."

  • Daniel Stevens - PS Kemi Kings

    "EJ is a former teammate at the division 1 level of college soccer. His physical conditioning and training standards where always admirable and at the highest level. If there is anyone I would trust to provide a high quality training program it would be EJ!"

  • Tony Labudovski - Pittsburgh Riverhounds

    "Eric Johnson shows true class as a player and as a coach. He plays with great passion and is very technical with the ball. It was an honor playing with Eric."

  • Andy Straight - Cleveland Select

    "EJ's knowledge and passion for the game brought out the best in myself and the players around me. He was well respected amongst the team and we benefited greatly from his teachings and tactics that were provided to us in training sessions. There were even occasions when we would call EJ on non-training days and he would come up to the field to help us out on his own time. Examples like this go to show the type of character and leader EJ is. Since graduating from West Geauga I have found myself using EJ's teachings both on and off the field and can say that I would have never been the player or man I am today without him."

  • Andres DeLeon - University at Buffalo

    "EJ as a former colleague of mine I can safely say is a gentlemen and a scholar. The beautiful game is something he adores and possesses a perpetual eagerness to master it. Whether on or off the pitch he will give his students 110% of his effort"

  • Alex Andrews - Arsenal

    "EJ is a top class professional in every sense, both on and off the field and holds himself and others around him to a very high standard. His knowledge of holistic training and nutrition together with his drive, dedication and ability to conduct himself professionally is exceptional. As a coach and mentor to performance athletes EJ is no doubt one of the most exciting and innovative coaches out there."

  • Joe Whiteley - College of Charleston

    "If I could Characterize training with Eric, first I would have to point out his focus and persistence. He sets the bar and pushes his expectations of himself and his team to accomplish his/the team's goals. You know you are going to work hard and enjoy it when you are in a training session."

  • Jordan Brouk - University at Buffalo

    "I have never played with anyone as dedicated to soccer as EJ. From training effectively to proper nutrition, his holistic approach and dedication to the game is of the highest grade."

 Faith First

Full Armor Soccer takes its name and identity from Ephesians 6 — the call to put on the full armor of God. That imagery is not decorative. It shapes how this community approaches training, competition, and each other.

The standings are real. The effort is full. The competition is genuine. But the perspective is anchored in something greater than the scoreboard. Players are expected to compete with everything they have — and to remain people of integrity when the final whistle blows.

This is a community for players who want to honor God through their effort, enjoy the game with lasting joy, and build something in themselves that lasts beyond any season.

Start training today.

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Physically Dominant  •  Technically Sharp  •  Tactically Intelligent

Mentally Tough  •  Spiritually Grounded

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