Hey, it’s Neil Crawford here, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. This week, I’m diving into the controversial topic of “parent education” in soccer. What does it really mean?

Is it as essential as we think, or is it just a misunderstood buzzword? I’ll share my perspective, highlight challenges, and suggest a fresh way of framing the discussion.

It’s a thought-provoking episode, and I’d love to hear your take. Tune in and let’s dig into it!

This week, I’m diving into the controversial topic of “parent education” in soccer. What does it really mean? Is it as essential as we think, or is it just a misunderstood buzzword? I’ll share my perspective, highlight challenges, and suggest a fresh way of framing the discussion.

It’s a thought-provoking episode, and I’d love to hear your take. Tune in and let’s dig into it!

For many years, I’ve said that you can do anything you put your mind to. It’s a belief I’ve carried with me, and I’ve always wanted to pass that message on, not just to my sons but to all the kids out there who need to hear it.

I want to leave a lasting impression on them—that no matter where you start, no matter the obstacles, you can make it happen if you believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.

Growing up in a small town where soccer wasn’t even a thing, I never imagined I’d be here, creating Anytime Soccer Training, a platform that helps kids get high-quality soccer training from home.

When I saw my sons struggling to keep up with their peers, I knew I had to help. But I had no background in soccer, tech, or anything that felt remotely connected to what I wanted to do.

It was overwhelming at times, and honestly, there were moments when I doubted myself. But I kept reminding myself of what I’ve always said: anything is possible. So, I built a global team, and together we made it happen.

Along the way, I discovered tools like Zoho Bug Tracker, which helped me stay organized and keep things moving, even when I wasn’t sure where to turn next.

I’m sharing all of this because I want my sons, and all of your kids, to believe in their dreams—no matter how big or impossible they might seem. If I can do this, so can they. Anything is possible.

#BelieveInYourself #AnythingIsPossible #SoccerTraining #EntrepreneurJourney #Zoho #Grateful

In this episode of Inside Scoop, host Neil Crawford sits down with Jay Carney, a distinguished soccer coach from England who's been living in the U.S. for over 20 years. Jay's book, US, US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper, S-H-I-T on Grants, caught Neil’s attention, and they discuss key insights from the book, Jay's journey in soccer, and his experiences in both the U.S. and England.

Jay reflects on his childhood in Bolton, near Manchester, where soccer was a street game played with friends, often with makeshift goals and no referees.

Organized soccer wasn’t a big part of his upbringing due to family circumstances, but a neighborhood move led him to join a local team at 15. This experience kickstarted his 15-year journey in semi-professional soccer, where he learned the value of good team dynamics and character over individual talent.

Jay shares his thoughts on youth soccer in England, contrasting his experiences with modern academy systems. He talks about how, when he was growing up, the focus was on playing the game for fun and development, rather than formal academy training. He also touches on the importance of locker rooms full of good characters and the impact of team culture on performance.

The conversation dives deeper into how youth soccer in England compared to what Jay has encountered in the U.S. over the past two decades, including the differences in grassroots soccer development and how it has evolved. Jay’s insights offer valuable perspectives on the state of youth soccer in both countries and the critical role of character and team culture in shaping young players.

Grab a copy of the book! https://amzn.to/4avn8iJ

In this edition of the Inside Scoop, I’m answering a coach's question about specific winger finishing drills mentioned in a previous podcast.

I explain how I customize training for my own kids and offer practical tips for using Anytime Soccer Training’s video drills.

Whether you're training alone or with a group, I share how to adapt the drills to suit the players’ needs. I also discuss how to make training more efficient and how to incorporate various setups, like adding a keeper or using targets.

Most importantly, I remind everyone that skill development is a long-term process—don’t expect quick results, but stay focused on consistent improvement.

Hey soccer parents and coaches, I sat down with Jay Carney, author of US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper, SHIT on Grass.

Interview: https://youtu.be/K9Hn8wDPw2s?si=tkFDQLKHODr6D-j4#YouthSoccer #USSoccerReform

#SoccerParents #soccerdevelopment

Hi, I’m Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training—the only program with over 5,000 training videos covering every major soccer skill.

In this episode, I share an email I received from a youth coach looking for advice on keeping his team motivated to train at home and develop the skills needed to succeed on the field.

This topic hits close to home because I’ve faced similar challenges as a parent and coach.

I’ll break down the email, share my personal experiences, and provide actionable strategies to:

Motivate players to build skills outside of practice. Navigate cultural barriers to at-home training. Help kids find joy and confidence through soccer.

This episode is all about tackling one of the toughest questions we face: How do we inspire kids to want to get better? It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it. Let’s dive in and figure it out together.

Brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training. Check it out at ⁠Anytime-Soccer.com⁠.

Welcome to The Inside Scoop Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping parents support their young players' soccer development. In this episode, Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, tackles a listener’s question about how to structure at-home training sessions using the program effectively.

Neil shares insights on balancing volume, variety, and progression in training, tailoring sessions to fit your child’s personality, and leveraging custom playlists to keep practice engaging and productive. Whether your child loves completing every session in one folder or thrives on variety, Neil’s tips will help you make the most of your training time.

Tune in for actionable advice to help your young player build skills, confidence, and autonomy—all while having fun. Let’s get better together!

Welcome to The Inside Scoop, the podcast dedicated to helping parents support their young players' soccer development. In this episode, Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, tackles a listener’s question about how to structure at-home training sessions using the program effectively.

Neil shares insights on balancing volume, variety, and progression in training, tailoring sessions to fit your child’s personality, and leveraging custom playlists to keep practice engaging and productive. Whether your child loves completing every session in one folder or thrives on variety, Neil’s tips will help you make the most of your training time.

Tune in for actionable advice to help your young player build skills, confidence, and autonomy—all while having fun. Let’s get better together!

Today, I’m reacting to a post from our Anytime Soccer Training and Youth Soccer Coaching Facebook groups about prioritizing winning over development. I’ve discussed this before, but let’s dive into it again.

The post claims the "winning vs. development" debate is a global issue—even at top academies.

Here’s the thing: this whole debate is oversimplified. There’s much more going on than just winning vs. development.

Let’s dig in!

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