Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. Today’s episode is a little different — I’m responding to a text from a fellow "parent trainer" that had me thinking. We’re talking about what it really looks like behind the scenes when parents support their kids in soccer development, how the so-called "crazy parent" label gets thrown around, and why it’s not always what people assume.

I’ll also share why I think we need more honest conversations about the role parents play, and why having a deliberate plan matters more than people give credit for. If you’re a parent trainer or just curious about this side of youth soccer, this one’s for you. Let’s get better together.

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford here, host of The Inside Scoop. This episode is a behind-the-scenes snippet of a fun conversation I had with pro scout Chris Robinson.

Chris shared some of his thoughts on the relative age effect and a few other hot topics in the world of scouting. It was a really interesting chat, and I’m excited to give you a glimpse into how scouts think about player development. Let’s dive in!

Hey everyone, it’s Neil Crawford. In today’s episode, I’m responding to a great message I got from a listener who’s feeling a little frustrated with their club’s setup. We’re talking about how to bring up concerns — like training time, competition level, or even suggesting something like Anytime Soccer Training — without being labeled "that parent." I’ll share a few real-world tips and how I would approach a club director if I were in your shoes. Let’s get into it.

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford here. In today’s episode, I’m answering a great question I got from a parent who asked how their child can perform better in rondos — especially with tryouts right around the corner.

I break down why individual technical training actually does help your rondo game, even though it might not seem like it at first. We talk about how things like first touch, passing, and decision-making are the real foundation, and why doing well in a rondo has a lot more to do with your touch and your thinking speed than you might realize.

I also explain why you shouldn't stress too much if rondos seem unpredictable — there are so many variables, like space, the setup, and the other players involved. Plus, I share a few simple rebounder drills that can really sharpen your one- and two-touch passing.

If you’re a parent or a player trying to connect all the dots between training at home and performing in games, you’ll definitely want to stick around for this one!

Winning Mindset Program with Thomas Dooley

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop. In this episode, I dig into a term we hear all the time—soccer IQ—but rarely define clearly. What does it really mean? Why do so many players lack it? And what can we actually do about it?

I also share how I'm helping my own son improve in this area—and why most clubs aren't teaching it like they should. Let’s break it down and challenge some assumptions.

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop. In this episode, I dig into a term we hear all the time—soccer IQ—but rarely define clearly. What does it really mean? Why do so many players lack it? And what can we actually do about it?

I also share how I'm helping my own son improve in this area—and why most clubs aren't teaching it like they should. Let’s break it down and challenge some assumptions.

In this episode, I sat down with Juan Martinez, the President and Executive Director of DKSC, to get real about what it actually costs to run a competitive youth soccer club.

We talked about his journey into coaching, the early days of DKSC, and then dove into the numbers—things like coaching salaries, field rentals, admin fees, and how fast it all adds up.

Juan shared how his club tries to stay sustainable while keeping things affordable for families, and we even touched on the pay-to-play debate and whether parents really want an alternative.

If you’ve ever wondered why soccer is so expensive or what club directors are actually dealing with behind the scenes, this is the episode to hear.

In this episode, I share a conversation that really stood out—a 14-year-old player reached out to me directly, signed up for Anytime Soccer Training on his own, and started doing the work. What impressed me even more was his question: “Is it okay to take a rest day?”

That simple question sparked this episode. We talk about why rest is not only okay—but necessary—and how it fits into long-term development. I also revisit a core message from an earlier episode:

"Goals are what you want. Standards are what you do daily."

We dive into why it's tough to motivate someone without a growth mindset, but also why it's equally hard to discourage someone who has one. I walk through how I use this mindset at home with my own sons and how we structure their weekly training—including a breakdown of how much time they spend using Anytime.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or player—this episode will help you rethink the balance between effort, rest, and smart training.

https://anytime-soccer.com/

Here’s a short, punchy podcast title and description written in the first person, perfect for your episode with Chris Robinson:

🎙️ Title: Inside the Mind of a Premier League Scout — My Conversation with Chris Robinson

📝 Description:
In this episode, I sit down with Chris Robinson, lead scout for a top EPL club, to dive deep into the world of scouting. We talk about his journey from player to talent identifier, how he spots potential, and what really matters when evaluating youth talent.

Chris shares insights on what separates good from great, why some players get missed, and what American kids can do to boost their visibility. Whether you're a parent, coach, or aspiring pro, this one is packed with practical advice and behind-the-scenes wisdom.

Want me to tailor a social post or teaser clip script too?