Hey everyone, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I’m following up on a recent discussion about whether playing experience is a must for coaching.

This topic has so many layers, so I’m breaking it down piece by piece.

For me, it all starts with mindset—believing that anything is possible if you put in the work.

But it’s not just about blind optimism; it’s about understanding the process, staying committed, and recognizing that the journey itself is where the real value lies. I share my own experiences, including how my initial goal of helping my son with ball control led me to something much bigger—helping other parents support their kids without stress.

I also dive into why we need to be careful about telling others (especially kids) what they “can’t” do, because that mindset shuts down all the necessary steps to even try. Instead of limiting people, we should be showing them the path forward.

Join me for this deep dive into mindset, belief, and why the process matters more than the outcome. Let’s get better together!

🔗 Brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training – The most complete online soccer training program.

Welcome to The Inside Scoop! Today, we’re tackling a hot topic in youth soccer—does playing experience matter when it comes to coaching?

This debate comes up constantly in soccer circles. Some argue that you must have played at a high level to coach effectively, while others believe coaching is a separate skill that can be developed without prior playing experience. Where’s the line? Does it depend on age, competition level, or something else?

Throughout this series, we’ll hear from different perspectives—coaches who played, coaches who didn’t, and experts who can break down what really makes a great coach. We’ll also explore the bigger picture of developing more quality coaches as the sport grows.

Stick around as we dive into the nuances of this ongoing debate. And if you’re looking for ways to develop your child’s skills at home, check out Anytime Soccer Training at Anytime-Soccer.com. Let’s get into it!

Podcast Title:
Is Using Guest Players Ethical? Let's Talk About State Cup Rosters ⚽️

Podcast Summary:
In this episode, I'm diving into a hot topic from my Youth Soccer Guest Player Opportunities group: Is it ethical to add guest players for state cups and regional qualifiers?

I share my experience and discuss the loopholes, roster freezes, and realities faced by clubs and parents. This one's got me thinking—I’d love to hear your thoughts, too!

I'm Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. Let's figure this out together!

Podcast Title:
"Puberty, Patience, and the Technical Myth in Youth Soccer"

Podcast Summary:
In today's episode of The Inside Scoop, I share a thoughtful email from one of our listeners that sparked an important conversation about youth soccer and the impact of puberty on player development. We dive into the challenges kids face when their physical maturity doesn't align with their technical skills, emphasizing how patience, mental resilience, and tactical awareness become vital during these critical years.

I openly discuss why parents shouldn't put too much weight on individual performances during these transitional periods, since growth stages—before, during, and after puberty—each bring unique challenges. Additionally, I explore the misconception surrounding the term "technically outstanding," highlighting that most young players, including my own, rarely reach this level, despite common assumptions.

As always, this is an open, honest dialogue—just my personal reflections and experiences—and I invite listeners to contribute their insights or share helpful resources. Plus, I'm also reaching out to the community for recommendations on budget-friendly podcasting equipment due to recent audio issues.

Let's keep the conversation going!

In this episode, I walk you through how to create a personalized soccer training plan using Anytime Soccer Training. From signing in and selecting skill areas—like juggling, ball mastery, dribbling, and wall passing—to saving favorites and building custom training sessions, I break it down step by step.

Plus, I share how you can access pre-made sessions, track progress, and collaborate with others. Whether you're a parent or coach, this guide makes organizing effective training easier than ever. Let’s get better together!

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford, your host and the founder of Anytime Soccer Training. On this episode of The Inside Scoop, I’m responding to a heartfelt email from a parent who’s struggling with their child’s soccer development. She can’t afford private training, but sees other kids benefiting from it—and she’s worried her son is falling behind.

I totally get it. My own sons have never had regular private lessons, and I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel. So today, I’m breaking down my Tier System—a simple framework that shows how time, instruction, effort, and reps are the real keys to development, not just expensive coaching.

We’ll also dive into mindset, expectations, and the power of creating the right environment at home. If you're DIY-ing your child’s soccer training, this episode is for you. Plus, I’ll share how you can join my special mailing list for parents who want practical, affordable ways to help their kids succeed.

Tune in now, and let’s get better together!

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford, your host and the founder of Anytime Soccer Training. On this episode of The Inside Scoop, I’m responding to a heartfelt email from a parent who’s struggling with their child’s soccer development. She can’t afford private training, but sees other kids benefiting from it—and she’s worried her son is falling behind.

I totally get it. My own sons have never had regular private lessons, and I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel. So today, I’m breaking down my Tier System—a simple framework that shows how time, instruction, effort, and reps are the real keys to development, not just expensive coaching.

We’ll also dive into mindset, expectations, and the power of creating the right environment at home. If you're DIY-ing your child’s soccer training, this episode is for you. Plus, I’ll share how you can join my special mailing list for parents who want practical, affordable ways to help their kids succeed.

Tune in now, and let’s get better together!

Hey everyone, welcome back to another edition of Inside Scoop! I’m your host, Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. If you’re new here, this podcast is all about helping parents understand the different soccer pathways available to their kids—whether they live in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world.

In this episode, I’m tackling something personal—parental bias and the irony of assessing our own kids. A friend called me out on a contradiction: how can I tell parents they might misjudge their child’s ability while also saying my son is technical? Fair point, and I want to address it.

I’ll dive into how I approach my kids’ development, the importance of staying open-minded, and why I try (emphasis on try) not to let my own opinions influence their training too much. Plus, I’ll share a key strategy I use each season to help them improve without overwhelming them.

If you’ve ever struggled with balancing support and objectivity as a soccer parent, this one’s for you!

And don’t forget—this show is brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training, the only program with over 5,000 training videos covering all the major skills your child needs to succeed. Check out Anytime-Soccer.com to learn more. Now, let’s get into it!

Hey everyone, welcome back to Inside Scoop! I’m Neil Crawford, your host and the founder of Anytime Soccer Training. If you’re new here, this is the show where we dive into soccer pathways around the world and help parents navigate the crazy journey of youth soccer. And of course, this podcast is brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training—the only program with over 5,000 follow-along training videos to help your child build confidence and skill at their own pace.

Today’s episode is a short but important one. A parent reached out with a question that so many of us can relate to—how to help her two boys gain confidence on the ball. One is 10, aggressive, and reads the game well but sometimes gets nervous with the ball. The other is 13, technically skilled at home but struggles to bring that confidence to the field. Sound familiar?

I break down a few key points:
✅ Why parents often misjudge their kids’ strengths and weaknesses (and how to be more objective)
✅ The importance of focusing on broad development themes instead of reacting to every game
✅ How extra touches at home build technical ability and confidence in a way that isn’t always obvious
✅ A simple way to track progress without overloading your child with feedback

This episode is packed with practical tips, plus a little bit of “preaching” (you’ve been warned!). If you’re trying to help your child take more initiative and build confidence in their skills, you won’t want to miss this one.

Hit play, and let’s get into it!

Hey everyone, I’m Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I chat with Dennis Bros, founder of NASDA, about how he’s helping young players gain international soccer experience.

We cover club-neutral pathways, ID camps, and affordable opportunities to play in Europe. Don’t miss it!

Learn more at https://www.nasdasoccer.com/