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Inside The Game is a weekly podcast with Stuart Sharples, hosted by Steel United, designed to support coaches, players, and parents by breaking down key topics from our coaching curriculum. Each episode dives into a fundamental aspect of the game, explores a core value that shapes player development, and features a special guest offering insights on the weekly theme. Whether you're on the pitch or in the stands, this podcast will help you understand the game on a deeper level. Let’s step inside the game!
20 Episodes
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In the final episode of the season, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Building Life Skills in Sport — focusing on how the lessons learned through soccer extend far beyond the field. Our curriculum topic is Attacking Third, and our core value is Respect. We take a closer look at modern trends in the Premier League, where crossing has evolved into a more intelligent, purposeful art — emphasizing low, driven deliveries and cutbacks from wide areas rather than hopeful balls into the box. He...
In Week 9 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of Utilizing Set Pieces — how to transform dead-ball situations into game-changing opportunities. Our curriculum topic is the Attacking Third, and our core value this week is Teamwork. We breaks down how the attacking third is where creativity, precision, and timing come together — and set pieces are a perfect example of that. He discusses how coaches can train these moments effectively without losing ball-rolling time, usi...
In Week 8 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores A Coach’s Journey — the ups, downs, and defining moments that shape who we are on the sidelines. Our curriculum topic is Defensive Transitions, and our core value is Commitment. Stuart breaks down the 3 D’s of defending — Deny, Delay, and Deflect — and how these principles guide a team’s reaction after losing possession. He shares how coaches can design sessions that mirror realistic pressing distances and encourage players to recove...
In Week 7 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores The Goalkeeper’s View — seeing the game through the eyes of the last line of defense. Goalkeepers embody integrity, leading with communication, composure, and accountability during defensive transitions. Stuart breaks down Defensive Transitions — the moments after possession is lost — and shares a practical session to train recovery, delay, and team organization, with goalkeepers guiding the unit. Integrity is key: doing the unseen w...
In Week 6 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of The Art of Counter Attacking — those electrifying moments when teams turn defense into attack with speed, precision, and purpose. Our curriculum topic is Attacking Transitions, and our core value is Respect. We break down why counter attacks are more than just playing forward quickly — they depend on recognition, timing, and respecting the roles of every player involved. He shares a small-sided 3v2 transition activity de...
In Week 5 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of The Greatest Supporter — recognizing the vital role parents play in shaping a young player’s journey, and how coaches can guide and support that relationship in positive ways. Our curriculum topic is Attacking Transitions, and our core value is Teamwork. We breaks down how attacking transitions are the game’s most decisive moments — the instant a team wins possession and springs forward together. He shares a counter-atta...
In Week 4 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores how mistakes can be powerful learning moments when players and coaches embrace the mindset of Turning Errors into Growth. Our curriculum topic is Staying Connected, and our core value is Commitment. We dive into how staying connected is about discipline and togetherness — shifting as a unit, closing spaces, and constantly communicating. He highlights a defensive line activity where players must work together to prevent gaps, showing ...
In Week 3 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores what it means to put Characters Before Champions — the idea that developing people comes before chasing results. Our curriculum topic is Staying Connected, and our core value is Integrity. We breaks down how staying connected is about unity on the pitch — moving as one, closing gaps, and trusting teammates. He also shares a practical rondo session where two defenders must work together to avoid being split, reinforcing the importance...
In Week 2 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores how to handle one of football’s toughest challenges — injuries and setbacks. On the field, our curriculum topic is Switching the Play, and our core value is Respect. We break down how switching the play is more than a long diagonal — it’s about inviting pressure, creating overloads, and respecting your teammates’ positioning and decision-making. Stuart shares a real-world example from Arsenal’s 5–1 win over Manchester City in Februar...
Welcome back to Inside The Game, the coaching podcast from Steel United! Kicking off our Fall 2025 season, host Stuart Sharples dives into one of the modern game’s most talked-about tactical setups — the Box Midfield. We break down what it is, why it works, and how it connects to our curriculum focus this week: Switching the Play. Our core value of the week is Teamwork — and switching the play is the perfect example of how trust, coordination, and movement combine to unlock defenses. Stuart s...
In the final episode of Season 1 of Inside The Game, we bring our spring coaching series to a close with a focus on attacking overloads—how clever movement off the ball helps create numerical superiority in key moments. We break down how coaches can recognize the spare player, design high-repetition training activities, and maximize ball-rolling time to sharpen tactical understanding in the final third. Using insights from top teams like Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024/25 season, we explore how ...
In this episode of Inside The Game, we explore how to coach players through high-pressure moments by focusing on the use of overloads in attacking play. Learn how to help your team recognize and utilize the spare player—an essential tactical concept in the final third and beyond. We break down practical coaching tips for creating overloads, identifying the spare player in real time, and building confidence under pressure. Whether it’s 3v2 scenarios or manipulating space in transition, this ep...
In this episode of Inside The Game, we continue our focus on Final Third play by zooming in on one of soccer’s most thrilling aspects—goalscoring. From movement off the ball to timing and composure, we break down what it really takes to become a consistent finisher and how coaches can create the right conditions in training for players to thrive in front of goal. Our guest, Dominic Rice, shares his perspective on developing attacking instincts, the importance of repetition, and how to foster ...
In this episode of Inside The Game, we kick off a two-week focus on the Final Third—arguably the most decisive area of the pitch where games are won and lost. We break down what effective play in the final third looks like, including key principles like timing of movement, combination play, and clinical decision-making under pressure. Our theme this week is Creating a Competitive Environment in Training, and we explore how coaches can design sessions that drive intensity, maximize ball rollin...
n this episode of Inside The Game, we continue our spring coaching journey by taking a deeper look at switching the play—not just from a tactical angle, but through the emotional lens of player confidence. We discuss how anxiety can impact decision-making on the field and why supporting the mental well-being of athletes is just as important as developing their technical skills. Our guest, Sean Datson, brings valuable insight into how coaches can recognize performance anxiety, create emotional...
In this episode of Inside The Game, we build on our spring coaching curriculum by focusing on switching the play—a vital strategy for breaking down organized defenses. We explore how scanning and pre-reception awareness help players identify opportunities, make quicker decisions, and execute effective switches under pressure. You’ll hear practical coaching advice on body positioning, passing technique, and communication cues that bring the concept to life on the field. Our guest, Sam Nellis, ...
This week on Inside the Game, we break down the key principles of defending, from delaying and denying to organizing as a unit—and how these skills come to life when players are allowed to figure it out for themselves. We also explore how Free Play helps shape smarter, more adaptable defenders. While defending is often taught through structure, it’s the unstructured moments—pick-up games, street soccer, small-sided battles—where players develop decision-making, communication, and a deeper sen...
In this episode of Inside The Game, part of the SSCS Podcast – Spring 2025, we dive into the curriculum topic of defending, one of the most crucial yet often overlooked areas in youth soccer development. We also highlight this week’s core value, integrity, and how it plays a key role in building trust, accountability, and discipline within a defensive unit. To wrap it all together, we’re joined by Jeremy McManus, Teams Director at Steel United Hudson Valley, who shares insights on how to effe...
In this episode of Inside The Game, we explore the importance of being organized—a fundamental skill that enhances both coaching effectiveness and player performance. We’ll break down how organization plays a key role in executing breaking lines, helping teams progress the ball through defensive structures with precision and intent. Plus, we’ll connect this tactical concept to our core value of the week: respect, highlighting how trust and discipline impact success on the field. Special guest...
In the first-ever episode of Inside The Game, we break down the concept of breaking lines—a key tactical skill that helps teams progress the ball and break through defensive structures. We’ll explore how players and teams use line-breaking passes and runs to create goal-scoring opportunities and discuss how coaches can teach this in training. This week’s core value, teamwork, plays a crucial role in executing this tactic effectively. Special guest Ian Hughes joins us to discuss how coaches c...
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