Meet Toti: The Visionary Leader of DC Way Academy
At DC Way Academy, our mission is to develop young athletes into confident, technically skilled, and intelligent players. A crucial part of this journey is having the right leadership—someone who sees soccer not just as a game, but as a powerful tool for development. This is where Toti comes in.
Who is Toti?
Salvatore Lisciandrello, known to everyone as Toti, is a coach who views soccer as more than just a sport; he sees it as a transformative experience. His career began in Italy, and for over 20 years, he has been dedicated to the development of young players. With experience at elite clubs such as Palermo and Inter Milan, Toti has mastered European football methodologies and now brings that expertise to DC Way Academy as our Technical Director, helping our players reach their full potential.
Beyond his coaching experience, Toti holds multiple certifications, including a Video Match Analyst and GPS Monitoring License, which enable him to incorporate modern technological approaches into training and player development.
When asked what shaped his career as a player and coach, Toti shared:
“Soccer has always been my passion, but I realized early on that there is a huge difference between being a great player and being a great coach. Developing young players requires more than just improving their physical skills; it’s about shaping the way they think about the game. That’s why I dedicated my career to youth development and modern coaching methodologies.”
How Did DC Way Academy and Toti Cross Paths?
Toti and DC Way Academy share a common vision of modern player development, making their collaboration a natural fit. Toti describes his decision to join DC Way Academy:
“When I first learned about DC Way Academy, what immediately stood out was their modern approach to training. Here, players don’t just practice—they develop, guided by data-driven insights and structured coaching. What drew me in the most was the academy’s vision and energy, and I knew this was the right place to be.”
How Does Toti Shape DC Way Academy?
Designing Training Programs: Toti creates structured, progressive training plans that align with European coaching standards, ensuring technical, tactical, and physical growth.
Guiding the Coaches: Toti doesn’t just develop players—he mentors and educates our coaching staff to ensure the highest training quality at DC Way Academy.
Bridging Technology and Soccer: By incorporating video analysis and data-driven training, Toti ensures that development is intentional and measurable.
Building a Culture of Growth: He instills strategic thinking, focus, and a professional mindset in players, preparing them for success both on and off the field.
Let’s Hear From Toti Himself!
When discussing what truly matters in player education, Toti emphasizes:
“Soccer isn’t just about physical ability. The real difference comes from decision-making. The best players in the world all share one thing in common: the ability to make the right decisions at the right time. At DC Way Academy, we train our players to think this way.”
On the importance of continuous learning, he adds:
“Learning never stops. This applies to players and coaches alike. Every day is an opportunity to improve. My role isn’t just to help players become better soccer players but to help them become disciplined, confident, and strategic thinkers.”
What Does This Mean for Your Child?
If your child trains at DC Way Academy, they are part of a system shaped by one of the best minds in youth soccer development. Under Toti’s leadership, our academy doesn’t just prepare players for the next game—it focuses on long-term player growth and future success.
What’s Next?
In our next blog, we’ll explore how detailed match reports guide player development. Stay tuned to see how our data-driven approach maximizes training efficiency and helps our players reach the next level!