In Part 2, Ian Babcock continues the conversation with Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez, founders of Salient Touch Football Academy, diving deep into how real development is executed day to day.

This episode breaks down session design, open enrollment, punch cards vs. consistency, defending development, and Salient Touch’s ability-based leveling system. Dominique and Antonio explain why age alone is a poor indicator of readiness, how players are evaluated during trial sessions, and why holding firm on levels actually protects player confidence and growth.

For parents navigating busy schedules—and coaches trying to maintain standards—this conversation provides rare transparency into what thoughtful development looks like behind the scenes.

🔑 Key Talking Points

1. How Salient Touch designs sessions around player readiness
2. Why cones vs. game-based sessions change day to day
3. Open enrollment without sacrificing training quality
4. Punch cards vs. monthly commitment — what actually works
5. Why defending is one of the fastest transferable skills
6. Leveling players by ability, not birth year
7. How trial sessions evaluate the full player profile
8. Managing plateaus without rushing promotions
9. Parent communication as a core development pillar
10. Building long-term pathways instead of short-term wins

💬 Quotes from the Guests

1. “Development is best seen with consistency — there’s no way around that.” — Dominique Molina
2. “It’s not one size fits all. It’s one size fits one at a time.” — Antonio Perez
3. “If we water down our levels, we water down what we offer.” — Dominique Molina
4. “Defending is the only way you ever get the ball back.” — Antonio Perez
5. “Progress doesn’t always show on the field right away.” — Dominique Molina
6. “We evaluate the emotional and social side just as much as the technical.” — Antonio Perez
7. “Some players need time, not pressure.” — Antonio Perez
8. “Parents deserve clarity, not confusion.” — Dominique Molina

🔗 Connect with Salient Touch Football Academy

🌐 Website: https://salienttouch.com/contact

📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/salienttouchfutbolacademy

👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/SalientTouch

Email: [email protected]

Call/Text : 940.268.3392

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Mentioned in this episode:

TeamPlayr

Soccer Innovations

Reeplayer:

Reeplayer

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