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🎙️ Episode 118 — Deep Dive #1: Building Out from the Defensive Third (with Paddy King)

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

In the first episode of our brand-new Deep Dive series, we’re joined by Paddy King to explore one of the game’s most important tactical elements — building out from the defensive third.

Paddy breaks down what effective build-out play looks like and shares insight into the key principles behind it — from creating angles and supporting runs to recognising when and how to progress the ball through the thirds.

Using a short clip from a recent Barcelona match, Paddy highlights how top teams manage this phase of play, before explaining how grassroots and academy coaches can translate those same concepts into practical, engaging training sessions.

In this episode:

• How Barcelona’s structure and spacing create options during build-out
• The decision-making process for centre-backs, midfielders, and the goalkeeper
• Coaching cues and constraints-led practices to develop confident build-out play
• Ideas for small-sided games that replicate real match scenarios

📺 Watch this Deep Dive episode on YouTube:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@thesoccercoachingpodcast9489

💬 Got feedback or a topic you’d like us to explore?
We’d love to hear from you — email us at [email protected]

⚽ Subscribe on your favourite podcast app (and on YouTube) so you never miss a new Deep Dive episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

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🎙️ Episode 118 — Introducing Our New Deep Dive Series 

In this short promo, we unveil our brand-new Deep Dive series: focused, practical episodes that take one coaching theme at a time and go beneath the surface—ideas you can lift straight onto the training pitch. 

What to expect 

• Clear, actionable takeaways for grassroots to academy coaches
• Real session ideas, common pitfalls, and quick wins
• Short, focused format you can revisit anytime

📺 Also on YouTube: Watch every Deep Dive episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@thesoccercoachingpodcast9489


💬 Questions or topic requests? Email us: [email protected]


👉 Subscribe on your podcast app (and on YouTube) so you don’t miss Episode 1 of the Deep Dive series!
 

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 117, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 117 – The Importance of Philosophy and Culture, a conversation with Jason Carney

In this episode we speak again with the superb Jason Carney about the importance of Philosophy and Culture. Jason is the Director of Coaching at FC Portland, and is an A licensed coach and author. Jason talks about his experiences in developing a philosophy and supporting culture, and the benefits he’s experienced when you get these right.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

www - Jason Carney – www.fcportland.org 

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 116, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 116 – Positional Play, a conversation with Paddy King

In this episode we speak again with the awesome Paddy King. Paddy has a passion for positional play and in this episodes, we speak about what he’s been up to since we last spoke on episode 39. Paddy tells about his new online coaching course and how it can help all coaches better understand the concepts discussed and support their players.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

X – Paddy King- @KingKnightEd

www – Kingknighteducation.com

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 115, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 115 – The Importance of Coaching Principles, a conversation with Osku Partonen 

UEFA Pro Licensed Coach

In this episode we speak again with the awesome Osku Partonen about the importance of coaching principles, why they are important and how to embed them. Osku shares with us his nine key coaching principles that underpin all other aspects of his coaching philosophy and game model. We also discuss how these principles become part of your match day focus.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

X - Osku Partonen - @Coach_Osku

Skool – https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-hub-1926/about?ref=40a60970cda6440b8debed4480880436 

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

🎙️ Episode 114 – What Makes Great Coach Development? (with Ray Power)
Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

What really makes coach development effective?

In this episode, Scott is joined by coach educator, author, and Head of Football at Bangladesh’s National Academy, Ray Power, for a deep dive into the principles that truly help coaches grow.

Forget ticking boxes and CPD hours — this is about developing thinking coaches who can reflect, adapt, and lead.

🧠 Topics include:

• Why context matters more than any single qualification
• The difference between improving sessions vs. improving coaches
• How to create safe environments for experimentation and reflection
• The power of mentorship — and what makes a great mentor
• Ray’s take on coach-led learning and real-world application
• How to filter the noise of webinars, books, AI, and social media
• What Ray would keep, drop, or radically change in coach education

This episode is full of honest insights and practical advice — perfect for coaches at any stage of their journey.

🔗 Connect with Ray Power:
Twitter: @power_ray
Coach Ed webinars & resources: Click here
🎟️ 15% Discount Code: PODCAST

💬 Let us know what you think!
Twitter: @SoccerCoachCast
Email: [email protected]

🙏 Thanks for listening – please follow, rate, and share the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

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Episode 113, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 113 - Formations and Playing Positions, a conversation with Ray Power

Football formations mystify many coaches – are they essential blueprints or merely starting points for something more fluid? Ray Power, Head of Football at Bangladesh's National Academy (BKSP), masterfully deconstructs this question through the lens of both elite and grassroots football development.

Power introduces the refreshing concept of a "base formation" as simply your team's home – a familiar structure players return to when uncertain, rather than a rigid tactical straightjacket. This perspective immediately transforms how coaches might approach formations with their teams. "Your formation is like home," Power explains. "When you're struggling or not quite sure what to do next, you have home base."

The conversation illuminates crucial distinctions between formations and playing styles, using the example of Mourinho's Chelsea and Guardiola's Barcelona both using 4-3-3 formations but producing dramatically different football. This reveals why cookie-cutter approaches to tactical systems inevitably fall short – each team's unique player attributes create entirely different dynamics within the same numerical structure.

For youth coaches transitioning players to 11-a-side football, Power offers particularly valuable insights. Rather than being wedded to a single formation, he advocates cycling players through multiple tactical approaches throughout their development journey. This builds more versatile footballers with broader tactical understanding – like Michael Carrick who surprisingly admitted never playing center-back despite his physical and technical suitability for the position.

Power's analysis of in-game formation changes reveals the psychological component often overlooked in tactical discussions. When players are comfortable with multiple formations, they adjust more seamlessly during matches without the anxiety that typically accompanies positional shifts. This psychological comfort allows teams to adapt to opposition threats or exploit emerging opportunities with confidence.

Whether you're a grassroots coach seeking to navigate the complexities of formations or an experienced tactician looking for fresh perspectives, Ray's practical wisdom and accessible approach make this episode an essential tactical masterclass. By understanding formations as dynamic frameworks rather than rigid systems, coaches at all levels can develop more adaptable, tactically intelligent players ready for football's ever-evolving demands.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

Ray Power - @power_ray

Formations and Player Positions Webinar -  https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raypowercoacheducation/1480696 

15% Discount = PODCAST

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 112, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 112 - A Look At Grassroots Football, with Jason Carney, Director of Coaching at FC Portland and Author

In this episode we speak again with the wonderful Jason Carney, who is the Director of Coaching at FC Portland. We discuss his coaching background and updates since we previously spoke back in 2022. We discuss grassroots football, the obstacles to player development and some of the solutions. We also look at his latest book “US Grassroots Soccer, Great on Paper, S**T on Grass”

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

Jason Carney – https://www.fcportland.org/our-staff

US Grassroots Soccer, Great on Paper, S**T on Grass - https://www.amazon.co.uk/US-Grassroots-Soccer-Great-Paper/dp/1966442378 

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 111, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 111 - A Look At Scouting In Grassroots Youth Football, a conversation with Chris Robinson, Director at The Scouting Game and Head of Academy Recruitment at Southampton FC

In this episode we speak with the awesome Chris Robinson about the world of scouting. We look behind the curtain of grassroots youth football scouting and Chris helps us demystify the scouting process. We talk about some of the challenges for scouts, clubs, coaches and players and ask if the process of scouting young players could be improved.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

Chris Robinson – The Scouting Game - https://thescoutinggame.co.uk/ 

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected]

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us a text

Episode 110, 

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek) 

Episode 110 – Giving The Game Back To The Kids, a conversation with Chris Fraser 

In this episode we speak to Chris Fraser about grassroots football and discuss if adults are taking the game away from the kids 

We talk about the experiences Chris has seen this seen and how youth grassroots football has changes over the past few years. Chris suggests some possible options for us to consider and how by making a few changes to how we go about things as adults, the young players could benefit. 

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode! 

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast 

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - [email protected] 

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. 

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode! 

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!