In Part 1 of our powerful two-part conversation, we welcome renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to Chat By The Pitch. With over 30 years in high-performance sport and clients ranging from Premier League stars to F1 drivers, Dan breaks down how our culture around youth soccer is failing young athletes. From misguided sideline behavior to a broken obsession with early winning, Dan gives us a blueprint for healthier environments focused on joy, development, and lifelong participation.

🔑 Key Talking Points

Why winning should never be the priority in early youth soccer

How parents and coaches impact performance psychology, often unknowingly

The bio-psycho-social model and how it applies to kids on the pitch

Culture-building at clubs and how it shapes player outcomes

What true development looks like, and how parents can get out of the way

📌 Tune in to learn

How the world’s top athletes win by not focusing on winning, and what that means for your child’s soccer journey.

💬 Quotes from Dan

"It baffles me why adults think they have to introduce children to sport through the prism of winning and losing."

"Let’s begin at the beginning: soccer should start with fun, enjoyment, and participation."

"Your child is not a mini adult. Your child has a child’s brain in a child’s body."

"So many kids quit sport not because they’re losing—but because they’re no longer enjoying it."

"Culture isn't just a buzzword—it's the operating system of every club, every team, every sideline."

"We have to start by letting kids fall in love with the game."

"The mental side isn’t a luxury; it’s the core of long-term development."

"The behaviors you see on the field are just the tip of the biopsychosocial iceberg."

"We’re not raising champions. We’re raising humans through soccer."

"Coaches need to be more than technical experts—they need to be emotional architects."

📲 Connect with Dan Abrahams

📷 Instagram: @danabrahamssport

📘 Facebook: Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy

🌐 Website: www.danabrahams.com

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