Coach Eduardo Soto
Phone: 321-331-0763
Coach Eduardo Soto
Email: Eduardo.soto@sepa.education
Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Orlando, Florida, Coach Eduardo Soto has made a profound impact in the world of basketball. A dedicated athlete from an early age, he played for his local Boys and Girls Club basketball league before going on to become the leader of his high school team at Colonial High School in Orlando, where he captained the team for three consecutive years.
Basketball has always been the focal point of Coach Soto’s life. A proud family man, he has been married for 14 years and been with his high school sweet heart and has three children, all of whom share his passion for basketball. He believes that leadership is about setting the right example both on and off the court, a value he instills in all of his players.
Coaching Career
Coach Soto’s coaching career has been marked by numerous achievements, both in high school and AAU basketball. From April 2021 to May 2022, he served as the head coach for the girls’ basketball team at Faith Christian Academy. Under his leadership, the team saw a remarkable 20% increase in the ratio of annual wins to losses and boosted attendance revenue by 88%.
In the 2022 season, Coach Soto joined Hagerty High School as an assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team. Additionally, he has coached several AAU programs, where his teams have achieved significant success. Notably, Coach Soto’s AAU teams won the 2016 AAU Division 1 National Championship, the 2019 Deep South Classic Championship, and the 2019 Nike National Runner-Up title. His team also placed 5th in the 16U 3SSB Adidas National Circuit, and in the 2024-2025 season, Coach Soto led his team to the SIAA National Championship, earning the prestigious title of SIAA Coach of the Year in 2025.
Over 80% of Coach Soto’s former players have gone on to play at the collegiate level, demonstrating the lasting impact he has had on his athletes’ development.
Coaching Philosophy
Coach Soto focuses on instilling three core values in his players:
Accountability – Taking responsibility for one’s actions both on and off the court.
Team First – Emphasizing the importance of working together for a common goal.
Defense – Building a strong defensive foundation, which he views as essential to success.
For Coach Soto, coaching is about more than just teaching basketball. It’s about being a positive influence on young people and making a lasting impact on their lives. His commitment to teaching life lessons through sports is the heart of his coaching philosophy.
SEPA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Off-Season Basketball Practice Plan
Duration: 90 minutes
Frequency: 3-4 times a week (can vary based on our schedule)
1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)
Dynamic Stretching (5 minutes): Focus on full-body movement to loosen up (leg swings, arm circles, hip rotations).
Agility Drills (5 minutes):
Ladder Drills: 1-foot, 2-foot, lateral movements
Cone Drills: Quick direction changes (Zig-zag sprints, backpedal)
2. Individual Skill Development (20 minutes)
Each player will work on their own skills during this time.
Ball Handling (5 minutes):
2-ball dribbling: Crossovers, between the legs, behind the back, and figure-8 dribbling.
Dribble moves: Focus on creating separation, changing speeds, and attacking the rim.
Shooting (10 minutes):
Form shooting: 5-10 shots from various spots near the basket, focusing on technique (elbow alignment, follow-through, footwork).
Catch and Shoot: Shooting from different areas on the floor (elbow, wing, top of the key).
Off-the-dribble shooting: Simulate game situations with pull-up jumpers after a couple of dribbles.
Passing (5 minutes):
Partner passing (chest, bounce, and overhead).
Passing on the move: Focus on making accurate passes while moving (chest passes, skip passes, and behind-the-back passes).
3. Team Drills (20 minutes)
Focus on team-oriented skills.
3-on-3 Scrimmage (10 minutes): Focus on spacing, decision-making, and passing.
Emphasize ball movement, cutting, and creating advantages.
Fast Break Drills (5 minutes):
2-on-1 and 3-on-2 fast breaks: Players work on pushing the ball upcourt, making quick decisions, and finishing at the rim.
Shell Drill (5 minutes):
Defense-focused: Teach proper positioning, help defense, and rotating.
4. Conditioning (15 minutes)
Offensive and defensive conditioning drills.
Suicides: 5 sets, increasing the intensity with each one.
Defensive Slides: 3 sets of 1-minute slides (emphasize proper form and lateral quickness).
Full-Court Sprints: 5 sprints with short rest periods.
5. Strength & Core Training (15 minutes)
Focus on building muscle endurance and injury prevention.
Core Exercises (5 minutes):
Planks (3 sets of 30 seconds), Russian Twists (3 sets of 20), Leg Raises (3 sets of 15)
Bodyweight Strength (10 minutes):
Push-ups (3 sets of 10-15)
Squats (3 sets of 15-20)
Lunges (3 sets of 10-15 per leg)
Box Jumps or Jump Squats (3 sets of 10)
6. Cool Down (5 minutes)
Static Stretching: Focus on stretching the hamstrings, quads, calves, shoulders, and lower back.
Breathing Exercises: Encourage players to relax and cool down, promoting recovery.
Additional Notes:
Film Sessions: Once a week, review game footage or individual highlights to discuss improvements and areas of focus.
Mental Training: Emphasize mental toughness. Include positive visualization and short mindfulness exercises before or after practice.