The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World

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?

Hey coaches, Neil Crawford here—host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I’m responding to a great email from a fellow coach who’s been using Anytime with his team and had some thoughtful questions about instruction, skill moves, and how to best support players when you’re not able to demonstrate every move yourself.

Here’s the thing—we’re all better coaches than we think.

Even if you can’t bust out a Ronaldo chop on demand or demo a Ketta like a pro, what really matters is your ability to structure sessions, show up consistently, and help players get reps with purpose. In fact, the ability to observe, give feedback, and keep kids engaged might be the most important coaching skill of all.

I also break down the TIER Framework (Time, Instruction, Effort, and Reps)—a simple system I created to help coaches and parents organize their training approach and build a strong foundation for their players. Plus, I share some behind-the-scenes updates on new Anytime Soccer Training features for teams, like assigning homework, customizing sessions, and even sharing curated YouTube content for extra instruction.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether you're “doing enough” or if your lack of pro-level skill holds you back as a coach—this episode is for you. You're doing more than you know, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Let’s keep growing together and building better players—one rep at a time. ⚽

In this episode of The Inside Scoop, Neil Crawford shares a powerful story about a young player's transition from rec to competitive soccer—and how that moment inspired the creation of Anytime Weekly Plans.

He also breaks down the difference between goals and standards, why kids might not fully grasp long-term goals, and how parents can use consistency, structure, and growth mindset to keep the journey on track—even after the excitement wears off.

In this episode, I respond to a great question from a parent of a four-year-old asking if Anytime Soccer Training has sessions for kids that young — and more importantly, what advice I’d give to someone just starting their soccer journey.

I take a step back and reflect on what I wish I had known when my boys were that age. We talk about being intentional but playful, the importance of early adoption, staying informed as a parent, and why your behavior — not just your actions — can shape your child’s experience in the sport.

Whether you're just getting started or already deep in the soccer world, this episode is all about giving young kids the best foundation while keeping the joy front and center.

Let’s get better together.

In this episode, I’m responding to a voice memo from a friend and fellow soccer parent who’s been using the 30-day programs inside Anytime Soccer Training. She loves how simple and organized it is — and I totally get it. That’s why I built those plans.

But I also wanted to share something deeper — how I stumbled on what I now call a cheat code for building a rock-solid technical foundation at home. I talk about how the program evolved, why structure and variation matter so much, and how even something as simple as pinning a few videos to a training session folder can make a massive difference.

This isn’t about doing it my way — it’s about giving you the tools and showing you what’s possible when you mix the right system with the human connection only a parent can provide.

If you're using Anytime Soccer Training — or thinking about it — this one will help you see how to unlock its full power. Let’s get better together.

In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I answer a question I hear all the time from parents — “How can I help my child become more confident, especially in 1v1 situations against stronger players?”

A fellow parent reached out about their almost 11-year-old who is technically decent but lacks confidence when the pressure is on. I’ve been there — not just as a coach, but as a dad working with my own sons. And the truth is, confidence in soccer doesn’t come out of thin air; it comes from having a rock-solid technical foundation and getting real reps over time.

In this episode, I share:

• Why most of us parents (me included) often get our child's skill level wrong — sometimes we overestimate, sometimes we underestimate

• Why confidence and technical ability go hand-in-hand

• How I personally use Anytime Soccer Training to build that rock-solid technical foundation for my boys

• Why you don’t need a fancy, custom plan — you need structure, consistency, and patience

• How the program helps parents like us guide our kids without overwhelming them or ruining the fun

If you’re trying to help your child feel more confident, especially when facing tougher players, this is the exact conversation you need. I’ll walk you through what I do, what I’ve learned (the hard way), and how Anytime Soccer Training fits into the solution.

And don’t miss the quick preview — we’ve got a big interview coming up with the Head Scout from Southampton Academy.

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I answer a common question from parents — where should your child start in the program? I break it down simply: begin with the 1,000 Touch Ball Mastery, Ronaldinho Freestyle Dribbling, Juggling, and Wall Passing. These are the core building blocks I used with my own kids.

I also share why patience and consistency matter — this is a long-term, delayed gratification process, but it pays off big time. Plus, I walk you through setting up My Training Sessions inside the app to make it easy.

Let’s get better together!