Claim OwnershipThe Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World
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© Neil Crawford
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The Inside Scoop Youth Soccer podcast is a place where parents and coaches from around the world get together to discuss how youth soccer works in their city.
Go to www.anytime-soccer.com to learn more.
Go to www.anytime-soccer.com to learn more.
403 Episodes
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In this episode, I challenge the myth that playing more games leads to better players. Games don’t build skill — they reveal it. I explain how true development happens outside the spotlight, through repetition and deliberate practice, not in the flow state of competition.
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I unpack what I call the universal answer — a framework I use to respond to nearly every question parents ask about their child’s soccer development.This time, the question was: “How can I help my child be more aggressive on the field?” Instead of offering a quick fix, I explain why words like “aggressive” are often too vague to be useful — and how to transform that frustration into teachable moments.I walk through a clear, step-by-step method:Define the specific behavior you want to seeIdentify players who model it wellPinpoint when and where it happens in the gameCreate opportunities to practice it — in a way that’s positive and age-appropriateBecause “aggression” isn’t about changing your child’s personality — it’s about building clarity, repetition, and confidence.Tune in, take notes, and join the conversation in the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group. Let’s keep growing together.
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I share what I call the universal answer — the framework I use to respond to almost every question parents ask about their child’s soccer development.This time, a parent asked how to help their child become more “aggressive” on the field. Instead of giving a quick tip, I break down why terms like aggressive are too vague to be helpful — and how to turn that frustration into something you can actually teach.I walk through a step-by-step method to define what you want your child to do, identify who does it well, when and where it happens, and how to help them practice it — all in a positive, developmentally appropriate way.Because “being aggressive” isn’t about personality — it’s about clarity, repetition, and confidence.Tune in, take notes, and join the conversation inside the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group.
In this episode, I answer a parent’s question about how to help their child who’s technically solid but finding it hard to stand out on a stronger team.I share how I’d approach this situation using the principles of play and my experience as both a coach and parent. We talk about balancing technical work, physical training, and tactical awareness, and why development often happens in phases.Sometimes the answer isn’t more practice — it’s helping your child see the game differently and rebuild confidence as the level rises.Check out www.anytime-soccer.com
In this follow-up episode of The Inside Scoop, host Neil Crawford sits down again with Joao Plantier, General Manager of FuteBALLER and former scout for Sporting CP and other top European clubs. This time, the spotlight is on how FuteBALLER actively creates opportunities for young players to be seen and evaluated by European scouts.Joao explains the systems and strategies FuteBALLER uses to connect talent with real chances abroad—from curated trials and video scouting to mentorship and development tracking. He shares what makes their approach different, how they prepare players for the moment, and what families need to understand about the journey.If you're serious about helping your child break into the European soccer scene, this episode shows how FuteBALLER is making it possible.
In this quick recap episode of The Inside Scoop, I revisit my approach to starting every team training session with unopposed technical work. I wanted to make this short and clear—just breaking down why I do it, what the benefits are, and some of the drawbacks too.I also share a great conversation we had in the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group about how unopposed drills fit into modern coaching and player development.If you’ve ever wondered why I emphasize repetition, confidence, and control before adding pressure, this episode will make my strategy crystal clear.Brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training — with over 5,000 follow-along videos covering every major skill area. Visit anytime-soccer.com to learn more.#2 Rank Football Podcast!https://podcast.feedspot.com/youth_football_podcasts/
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, host Neil Crawford talks with Joao Plantier, General Manager of FuteBALLER and a former scout with Sporting CP and other top European clubs.Joao shares what scouts really look for during a two-week trial — from technical quality and decision-making to mentality and adaptability. He breaks down the difference between American and European development, what separates elite players from the rest, and how parents can better prepare their kids for opportunities abroad.A must-listen for any parent or coach serious about understanding what it takes to reach the next level.Voted #2 Football Podcasthttps://podcast.feedspot.com/youth_football_podcasts/?feedid=5379766&_src=f1_featured_email
In this episode, I share why I always start my soccer sessions with unopposed technical training — even though some coaches wouldn’t.After talking with a fellow JV coach and alum who gave me great feedback, I wanted to explain my approach and the strategy behind it. For me, it’s about getting a high volume of touches, maximizing football actions, and never wasting time.I also touch on what happens in the brain during repetition — and why that foundation helps players think faster and perform better when it mattersVoted #2 Football Podcast!https://podcast.feedspot.com/youth_football_podcasts/?feedid=5379766&_src=f1_featured_email
In this quick episode of The Inside Scoop, I respond to a great question from our Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group: Can speed of play and technical IQ really be improved in private training? I share my personal perspective as both a soccer dad and JV coach, why one-on-one work is crucial (but doesn’t always need a private trainer), and how home training fits into the bigger picture. It’s a short, conversational dive meant to spark discussion—not deliver final answers.
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I dig into a question that stirred up plenty of debate in our Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group: Are kids more likely to go pro if their parents set that goal early on?It’s a thought exercise, not a prediction—but it opens up big conversations about parenting, expectations, and how much influence we really have on our children’s soccer journeys. I share my perspective as both a soccer dad and coach, why discipline and engagement matter, and why we also have to stay reflective about our behavior as parents.Tune in, think it through with me, and let me know where you’d put your million-dollar bet.
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I push back on the common “U.S. Soccer bad, rest of the world good” narrative. Sparked by a heated Facebook group discussion, we look at league tables, myths about youth soccer abroad, and whether parents here are focusing on the wrong things—missing what truly drives player development.
This episode of The Inside Scoop is a follow-up to my recent discussion on soccer IQ. Instead of just theory, I share real match clips that highlight how the principles, patterns, and people we talked about actually play out on the field. It’s a chance to see the framework come to life—through the eyes of both a parent and a player.Here is the playlist in case the video is not clearhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbONH4Pe_wRVI1V_bfJBVoDu7juX1VVLP&si=JkQaJkJcwFxa4O5z
This week on The Inside Scoop, we dive into one of the toughest questions every soccer parent eventually asks: How do I help my child improve their soccer IQ?It all started when I got a message from one of my Morehouse brothers—when a Morehouse man asks, you answer. What seemed like a simple question opened up a much bigger conversation about the game, how kids really learn, and the role we play as parents and coaches.In this episode, I share my own journey—from stumbling through training sessions with my sons, to coaching high school soccer, to learning the hard truths about how awareness, principles of play, and patterns actually develop. Along the way, I’ll reveal the frameworks I use as a “parent trainer” to make sense of soccer IQ—so that even if we don’t have all the answers, we can ask the right questions.This show is brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training, the only program with 5,000+ follow-along videos designed to give kids 4–5x more touches than traditional training. Don’t miss the FREE 7-Day Training Plan Challenge—7 sessions straight to your inbox that you can keep forever
In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I sit down with João Plantier—UEFA Pro Coach and General Manager at FuteBALLER—to talk about what makes Portuguese youth soccer different from the U.S. We dig into the culture, coaching, and pathways that have produced world-class players at clubs like Sporting CP and Benfica, and explore what parents and coaches in the States can learn from Europe’s approach.
Just dropped a new snippet from my chat with João Plantier, UEFA Pro Coach and General Manager at FuteBALLER.https://www.futeballer.co/coachesWe dug into the differences between youth soccer in Portugal and the U.S.—from culture to coaching to player development.Check it out and let me know what stands out to you.Full episode dropping this Friday!
Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training and your host of The Inside Scoop. Normally, this show is all about exploring the soccer pathways available to kids around the world. But today’s a little different—it’s a check-in episode.I’ve been quiet lately because I took on a new role: assistant high school coach and head JV coach. For someone who didn’t grow up playing the game, this feels like the full circle moment of my soccer journey—from learning through my own kids, to building Anytime Soccer Training, to now coaching a group of young men every day.In this episode, I share my first impressions of high school soccer—the challenges, the surprises, and the lessons I’m learning on the fly. From setting standards and building trust, to dealing with skill gaps and limited prep time, I’ll take you behind the scenes of what this first season has been like.This is just the beginning. I’ll be inviting other high school and JV coaches on the show to trade notes, share tips, and keep learning together.So if you’re a coach, a parent, or just curious about what high school soccer really looks like from the sidelines—this one’s for you.
In this episode, I’m sharing a bit about what it means to be a parent trainer—and why I think so many of us fall into that category without even realizing it.I talk about the balance between pushing too hard and not doing enough, why deliberate practice still matters, and the role tech can play in all this. Plus, I share one simple tip for getting high-quality training without spending a dime—something I wish more parents knew about.
Hey everyone — Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop.In this episode, I sit down with Gloria Stitt, co-founder of https://ussoccerparent.com/, and a soccer mom with an incredible story. Her son’s journey took him from futsal courts in New York City all the way to playing in Madrid, Spain.We dive into:⚽ How soccer is part of her Hispanic heritage🌍 The key differences between U.S. and international development💡 Real, heartfelt advice for parents navigating the youth soccer systemWhether you're just getting started or deep in the journey — this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical tips.🔗 Check out https://ussoccerparent.com/ for more resources🎧 Subscribe for more episodes of The Inside ScoopLet’s get into it!
Hey guys, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, and welcome back to The Inside Scoop. Today I’m sitting down with the incredible Gloria Stitt — co-founder of a new website called ussoccerparent.com, a much-needed resource for families navigating the wild world of youth soccer.In this episode, Gloria shares her personal story as a soccer mom whose son went from futsal in New York City all the way to playing in Madrid, Spain. We talk about how soccer is woven into her Hispanic heritage, what it was like supporting her son’s dream, and the big differences she noticed between U.S. and international soccer development.Gloria also gives some heartfelt tips for parents just starting this journey. If you’re a soccer parent—or just trying to figure this whole system out—this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.
Hey guys, it’s Neil Crawford here—founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop. I just wrapped up a great interview with Gloria Stitt, co-founder of the new sitewww.USSoccerParent.com. This is just a quick preview, but we talked about why they built the site and how it’s designed to help parents navigate the youth soccer journey with more clarity and confidence. Full episode coming soon…stay tuned!
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