The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World

He started in men's tier 11 soccer, where the odds of going pro were basically zero. Enoch Showunmi did it anyway.In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I sit down with Enoch Showunmi, Director of Soccer at Naples United in Florida. Enoch grew up in London, played professionally in England for 12 years, and earned caps with Nigeria's national team.We compare the US and UK youth pathways and talk about what pay-to-play does to player development. We also ask whether we need a club-neutral pathway based on merit. Enoch shares how he built a 400-player academy at Naples United with 25% of its kids on scholarship.If you have a kid chasing the game, this one is for you.LinksNaples United: https://www.naplesunited.com/Naples United club soccer: https://www.naplesunited.com/clubsoccer

Every coach will tell you the answer “depends.” I’m not buying it. In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I ask a question that makes a lot of people uncomfortable: if a team can’t string passes together, what is that telling you about the coaching? I break down why anything you want players to do consistently can be measured, and why those of us with a fiduciary duty to player development owe parents clear numbers and film, not vague answers. You may not like where this goes, but you’ll never watch a youth game the same way again. I’m also sharing a free PDF on what to look for at the individual and team level, so check the show notes.https://www.anytime-soccer.com/soccer-development-scorecard

I'll admit it: my approach goes against common youth coaching practice. When I started coaching, I believed kids could grasp tactical concepts much earlier than we give them credit for. So instead of giving young players endless options, I limit their choices, like requiring the goalkeeper to touch the ball before a team can score, or restricting how a player can release the ball. In this episode, I explain how constraint-led coaching can teach players to pass wide, build up play, and dribble with real bravery. As players learn, I gradually remove the constraints. I've used this in 3v3 games and recreational leagues, and I believe it can work in official matches too, where opponents and spectators create pressure you can't replicate in training. I also share why I became a youth coach in the first place. Could fewer choices be the fastest path to better decisions?

I wish someone had shared this with me when I was 16. In this short episode, I sit down with my son Adam, who's at an MLS academy, and give him his first task in our mental skills series. I introduce the "magic wand" method: imagine your ideal life a year or two from now, with no limits on money, time, or practical obstacles. Taking those limits away is how you find out what you truly want. Then I walk Adam through turning that vision into a simple board with three to five images, each paired with a short phrase. It doesn't need to be elaborate. My other son and I will make our own boards at home, and I'll bring Adam's to Charlotte on my next visit. This is about life skills that will serve him whatever he chooses after soccer. Want to try it with your child?

I've spent years focused on technical training. My 16-year-old son has reached the advanced academy level, and he's learning something I didn't prepare him for: performance alone is not enough. In this short episode, I announce a 30-day journey to build mental fortitude and adaptability, with short podcasts and simple daily exercises that take no more than five minutes each. Academy environments are full of adversity, and that's exactly where resilience and coping skills get built, skills that carry over to business and life. I'll explain why I'm asking my sons to commit with a simple "yes," and why you might want to do the same with your child. Some exercises may push you outside your comfort zone, and you can opt out anytime. Will you join us?