In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I take on one of the most overused — and misunderstood — debates in youth soccer: winning versus development.

We’ve all heard it — coaches say they care about development, parents say they just want their child to improve, and yet… the system keeps rewarding the exact opposite.

In this show, I challenge the entire premise of that question. Because the truth is — soccer clubs aren’t even structured to balance those two things. They’re built with an inherent conflict of interest that no amount of “philosophy” talk can fix.

So maybe we’re asking the wrong question altogether.

Have a listen — and then tell me

This week’s episode of The Inside Scoop was a special one. Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, sat down with Sandy Sandoval to dive into his son’s soccer journey growing up in Ramstein, Germany. We compared what youth soccer looks like overseas to the experience here in the U.S.—from coaching styles and competition, to community culture and how kids develop in different environments.

It’s an honest conversation about the similarities and differences between two soccer systems, what American parents and coaches can learn from the German approach, and the unique challenges of raising a player abroad.

This show is brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training—the only platform with over 5,000 follow-along videos and tools for both parents and coaches.

If you’re ready to add structure and consistency to your child’s development, don’t miss out on the FREE 7-Day Soccer Training Plan Challenge. You’ll get seven proven sessions delivered straight to your inbox—and they’re yours to keep forever.

Take the 7-Day Soccer Training Plan Challenge

Follow his son's journey on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshuaMaldonadoCostas

Is your child planning to attend college?

We sat down with Dave Morris CEO of College Athletic Advisor (https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/) to discuss strategies for successfully navigating the college and athletic scholarship search. Dave Morris also shared some interesting advice for parents with younger children.

Personally, I like the Dual Track College Search TimeLine because it provides recommended DETAILED & ACTIONABLE steps that your child should take at each grade during HS. Enjoy the show.
Sponsored by www.anytime-soccer.com

Welcome back to another edition of The Inside Scoop! I'm your host, Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. If you're new here, this podcast is dedicated to helping parents understand youth soccer pathways worldwide. We've had incredible conversations with parents, coaches, and players, and next week, we’re diving deeper into Germany’s competitive soccer landscape.

In this episode, I discuss what I consider to be the most important skill youth soccer players should develop early—yet, ironically, it’s one of the least emphasized. Despite my years of experience observing thousands of kids and hundreds of coaches, I rarely see this skill being explicitly taught. When I bring it up, many dismiss it or struggle to see its value. But I believe mastering this fundamental ability can transform a player’s development.

I also share my approach to training, emphasizing measurable and transparent communication with young players. Rather than giving vague instructions like “go faster” or “keep the ball close,” I explain how defining clear, objective goals—like the number of touches or rotations in a drill—can dramatically improve performance and accountability.

Join me as I break down why this overlooked skill is critical and how you, as a parent trainer, can ensure your child masters it. And if you want to see the drills in action, check out Anytime Soccer Training, where I’ve created over 5,000 follow-along videos covering every key aspect of individual skill development.

Listen in, challenge my perspective, and let’s keep the conversation going in the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group!

🚀 Resources:

• Free ball mastery & juggling videos: www.anytime-soccer.com
• Join the discussion: Anytime Soccer Training Facebook Group

Tune in now and let's get into it!

What would it be like if your child played in Luton Town (UK). Neil Crawford, your host and the founder of www.anytime-soccer.com sits down with Luton Town F.C. pre-academy player AJ Maxwell to learn what it's like to play grassroots and academy football in the UK. Enjoy. 

Do you find it difficult at times to train your own child? Do they listen to the coach but not you as the parent? Would you like to learn a method for motivating them to practice their weak foot?

If so, this show is for you.  In this episode, I describe how I apply lessons I learned from management accounting and business to get the most out of training my sons in a positive and transparent way.

Anytime Soccer Training removes the guesswork from in-home soccer training by combining over 101 fun skill-based soccer games with over 1,000 step-by-step training videos - all fun & all 100% follow-along.

Click here to join for free

Join the conversation today on the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group.

Hey everyone, my name is Neil Crawford, and I’m a soccer dad and the founder of Anytime Soccer Training.

When I started looking into training options for my sons, I was overwhelmed by all the advice and information out there about the benefits of different soccer formats and training methods.

In today’s episode, I want to share a quick tip for all the parent trainers out there. While small-sided games, futsal, and other formats are great, they won’t give your child the maximum benefits unless they’ve already mastered the basics. Once those core skills are solid, those formats will help accelerate their development.

About Anytime Soccer Training

Stop searching for random YouTube videos! Instead, follow a structured program with over 101 fun soccer games and 1,000+ step-by-step training videos. Join Anytime Soccer Training today for free and start seeing real progress with your child!

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In this podcast episode, I talk about some upcoming shows and share a personal story about a mistake I made while training my son. It was a difficult situation that required a thoughtful solution, and I’m eager to share what I learned from the experience. By discussing how I worked through the issue, I hope to offer some guidance and support to other parents who might be facing similar challenges.

I invite you to join me as I reflect on the lessons learned and the strategies I used to overcome this particular parent/trainer challenge. By sharing my own experiences, I aim to create a sense of connection and understanding among fellow parents, trainers, and fans of the beautiful game.

Tune in to gain some practical tips and engage in meaningful discussions. Your thoughts and perspectives are important, so please share your own experiences and insights as we navigate this journey together.

Tune in to gain inspiration, gather practical tips, and engage in meaningful discussions. Your thoughts and perspectives are highly valued, so be sure to share your own experiences and insights as we embark on this journey together.

Tired of searching the internet for soccer training videos? Join our FREE 7-Day Ball Mastery Challenge today!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your child lived and played soccer in a different country? Well, that's exactly what inspired this podcast.

This week's episode takes us to the UK where we chat with parents who raised a pre-academy player for Luton Town FC.

Trust me, it's a fascinating interview that you won't want to miss!

This week we traveled to the UK to interview parents who raised a pre-academy lad who played for Luton Town FC. Enjoy the show and check out

www.anytime-soccer.com.

About Anytime Soccer Training

⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Free 7-Day Ball Mastery Challenge⁠⁠⁠

Are you looking for a way to improve your soccer skills quickly and efficiently?

Look no further than Anytime Soccer Training! With our program, you can get thousands of quality touches in just a short amount of time, without any equipment or needing a lot of space.

Our program features thousands of follow-along workouts that can be done virtually anywhere, whether you're on the field or in your own living room. With just a 10-minute session, you can improve your ball control, speed, and touch.

Join for Free Anytime Soccer Training

Take our 7-Day Ball Mastery Challenge today and start seeing improvements in your soccer game right away!

Click Here

I'm Neil Crawford, a dedicated soccer dad and the founder Anytime Soccer Training. When I embarked on the journey of coaching my two sons in soccer, I encountered a tough question: How could I nurture their skills while keeping the game enjoyable and steering clear of burnout?

I grappled with the idea of being their coach versus simply playing with them. Would they truly develop the necessary skills for success if I took a more casual approach? On the other hand, hiring a private trainer seemed tempting, but it came with a hefty price tag and might detract from our precious family time.

Balancing these concerns, I questioned if I should wait until they displayed a deeper interest in soccer. But would postponing their training mean missing out on crucial developmental opportunities? And why did I even want them to excel in competitive soccer?

In my quest for guidance, I scoured resources but found little tailored to parents like myself who took an active role in their children's training. Existing materials often highlighted the risks of overbearing parents, rather than offering constructive advice.

Frustrated by the lack of resources, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Thus, the Anytime Soccer Training Parent-Trainer Podcast Series. was born.

Through this podcast, I candidly share my experiences and insights as a parent who actively trains his own children. I offer practical tips to fellow parent trainers, aiming to steer them away from common pitfalls and guide their children toward soccer success.

I'm open to feedback and constructive criticism, encouraging discussions within the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook Group.

As a parent-trainer, I firmly believe in taking responsibility for my children's development while recognizing the importance of balance between training and enjoyment. Deliberate practice is key, and I'm committed to guiding my children's progress in soccer and beyond.

Whether you're a fellow parent-trainer or simply curious about the topic, I invite you to join me each week on the Anytime Soccer Training Parent-Trainer Podcast Series. Let's navigate the intricate world of soccer parenting and coaching together.