The Soccer Coaching Podcast

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Episode 135

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

Developing Leadership in Players – a conversation with JP Nerbun

In this episode of The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Scott is joined by JP Nerbun, leadership coach, author and founder of TOC Culture, for a conversation exploring how coaches can intentionally develop leadership within their players.

JP returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Culture Captain: A 4-Level Framework for Athletes – Know Yourself, Lead Yourself, Lead Others, Lead the Team, and the ideas behind helping athletes recognise that leadership is not simply reserved for captains or the most vocal players in a team.

Scott and JP explore what leadership can look like within youth sport, why coaches shouldn't simply expect players to know how to lead, and how leadership can instead be viewed as a skill that can be taught, practised and developed over time.

We also discuss:

• What JP has been working on since his previous appearance on the podcast.
• Why he decided to write The Culture Captain specifically for athletes.
• Why leadership should not be limited to players wearing the captain's armband.
• The importance of helping players first know themselves before expecting them to lead others.
• JP's four levels of leadership: Know Yourself, Lead Yourself, Lead Others and Lead the Team.
• How coaches can create environments that give young players genuine opportunities to lead.
• The difference between being vocal and actually demonstrating leadership.
• Developing self-awareness, ownership and personal responsibility in players.
• Helping players navigate difficult conversations and support their teammates.
• How leadership development connects with creating a strong and sustainable team culture.
• The role coaches play in developing leaders rather than simply identifying them.
• Practical ideas coaches can take back into their own environments.

A really interesting and practical conversation for coaches working at all levels of the game who want to help players become more independent, responsible and capable of positively influencing the people and environment around them.

📘 The Culture Captain

You can find out more about JP's new book and order a copy here:

The Culture Captain – JP Nerbun
https://tocculture.com/theculturecaptainbook

The book provides athletes with a practical four-level framework for developing their leadership: Know Yourself, Lead Yourself, Lead Others and Lead the Team.

Podcast Information

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Soccer Coach Weekly

This episode is brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly, providing practical coaching advice, drills, sessions and ideas to support coaches working across the grassroots game.

Find out more at:

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!

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Episode 134

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

Episode 134 – Reflections on the Season

In this episode Scott and Ray look back on the season just gone and reflect on the lessons they've learned from two very different, but equally valuable, perspectives.

Ray shares his reflections from a coach development viewpoint, discussing the themes, challenges and successes he's experienced working with coaches throughout the year. Scott reflects on his season coaching an Under-14 side, sharing the practical lessons learned from planning, training, matchdays and supporting the development of young players.

Rather than simply looking back, Scott and Ray take turns to ask each other questions that encourage honest reflection, discussion and learning. They explore what went well, what they would do differently, how their thinking has evolved over the season, and the key ideas they'll be taking into the next campaign.

This episode is a reminder of the importance of reflection as one of the most powerful tools for coach development and continuous improvement.

Whether you're a grassroots coach, academy coach or coach developer, we hope this conversation encourages you to reflect on your own season and identify the lessons that will help shape the year ahead.

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

Coach Development Programme

If you're looking to continue your own coaching journey, Ray's Coach Development Programme is an outstanding opportunity to learn alongside coaches from around the world.

🎟️ Use discount code: PODCAST to receive a discount when booking.

Programme details and booking:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raypowercoacheducation/2305062

Podcast Information

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.

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!

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In this episode of The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Scott and Ray answer three questions submitted by listeners.

The questions cover three very different but equally important areas of coaching and coach development, including stepping into a leadership position, whether everyone is suited to coaching or educating others, and balancing tactical changes with individual player development during matches.

The first question comes from Laurie, who asks:

What should the first 90 days look like when starting a new role as Head of Youth Coaching at a club?

Scott and Ray discuss the importance of observing and listening before making significant changes, understanding the club’s existing environment and building relationships with coaches, players, parents and key decision-makers. They also consider how a new Head of Youth Coaching can establish priorities, communicate their vision and begin creating a clear and sustainable plan.

The second question is from Damien:

Is everyone cut out to be a coach or educator?

This leads to a wider conversation about the characteristics needed to coach and support others effectively. Scott and Ray explore the importance of communication, empathy, self-awareness, adaptability and a willingness to continue learning. They also discuss whether coaching skills can be developed and the difference between possessing knowledge and being able to help somebody else learn.

The final question comes from Zane:

What do you do when your team is struggling tactically during a match without compromising individual development?

Scott and Ray consider how coaches can respond when a game is not going to plan while remaining committed to the longer-term development of their players. The discussion includes tactical interventions, communication from the touchline, allowing players to solve problems and deciding when the team genuinely needs support from the coach.

As always, the conversation offers practical ideas, different perspectives and plenty for coaches to reflect on within their own environments.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the questions discussed in this episode. You can also send us a question that you would like Scott and Ray to answer in a future episode.

The Soccer Coaching Podcast is sponsored by Soccer Coach Weekly.

Follow and connect with:

Ray Power: @power_ray
Soccer Coach Weekly: @soccercoachweek

Please subscribe, follow and leave a review wherever you listen to the podcast.

Thanks for listening!

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 132,

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

Episode 132 – Parents in Youth Football, a round-table discussion with Gary Piggott, Kevin Middleton, Zane Barber and Paul Kennedy

In this episode, Scott and Ray are joined by the superb Gary Piggott, Kevin Middleton, Zane Barber and Paul Kennedy for a round-table discussion about the important role parents play in youth football.

The panel discusses the relationship between coaches and parents, the importance of clear and consistent communication, managing expectations and how clubs and coaches can help parents better understand the player-development journey.

The conversation also explores what can happen when things do not run smoothly, how coaches can approach difficult conversations and how everyone involved can work together to create the best possible experience for young players.

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

X – Zane Barber – @zbarber44

X – Gary Piggott – @gary_piggot

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 Fan Mail

Episode 131 – Coaching a Performance Mindset, with Dan Leivers

In this episode Scott and Ray are joined by the brilliant Dan Leivers for a fascinating discussion on Coaching a Performance Mindset.

Dan is one of the most respected coach developers in the game and is currently working at Notts County following his time with Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt. Throughout the conversation, Dan shares his thoughts on what a performance mindset really means, how it differs from simply focusing on results, and why creating the right environment is crucial for long-term player development.

The discussion explores the importance of challenge, accountability, resilience, ownership and reflection, and how coaches can help players develop the mental skills required to perform consistently under pressure. Dan also shares practical insights from his experiences across coach development, academy football and elite performance environments.

We discuss how coaches can balance support and challenge, why mindset should be developed intentionally rather than left to chance, and how creating high-performing people ultimately leads to high-performing players.

This episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas, practical examples and actionable takeaways for coaches working with players of all ages and abilities.

Whether you're coaching in grassroots football, an academy setting or the professional game, this conversation will challenge your thinking and provide valuable insight into developing better performers and better people.

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

Connect with Dan Leivers

TikTok - @focuscoachingonline

Podcast Information

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 Fan Mail

Episode 130 - 2026 World Cup Analysis, with the awesome John Walker

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

Episode 130 – 2026 World Cup Analysis, with John Walker

In this episode Scott and Ray are joined by the awesome John Walker, UEFA A Licence Coach and Analyst, for a fascinating deep dive into the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

John talks about the incredible work he has been doing analysing all 48 teams taking part in the tournament, providing detailed insight into their tactical approaches, formations, playing styles and key trends from around the world game.

The conversation explores how the expanded format could impact the competition, which nations may surprise people, tactical trends emerging across international football, and the importance of detailed analysis in understanding the modern game.

John also shares some of the processes behind his research and how coaches and analysts can use tournament analysis to support their own learning and development.

This was a brilliant football conversation packed with insight, knowledge and tactical discussion.

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

Connect with John Walker

X - @johnwalker_1986

You can also find links to John’s excellent World Cup analysis work through his X account.

Podcast Information

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 Fan Mail

Episode 129,
Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 129 – Match Day

In this episode Scott and Ray discuss match days in youth football and explore the role coaches, players and parents all play in creating a positive and developmental environment on game day.

They talk about preparation leading into matches, managing emotions on the touchline, supporting players through mistakes, and ensuring match days remain aligned with long-term player development rather than simply focusing on results. Scott and Ray also discuss communication with players, dealing with pressure, substitutions, post-match reflections, and how coaches can create enjoyable and meaningful experiences for young players.

The conversation also highlights the importance of perspective in youth football and why match days should be seen as an opportunity for learning, growth and enjoyment for everyone involved.

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

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 Fan Mail

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly

Episode 128 – What Actually Is Player Development?

In this episode, Scott Mowberry is joined by regular co-presenter Ray Power for an insightful discussion exploring one of the most frequently used phrases in football coaching: player development.

Together, Scott and Ray examine what player development actually means and why it involves much more than simply improving a player's technical ability. They discuss the importance of developing the whole person, including mindset, decision-making, resilience, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to transfer learning from training into match situations.

Drawing on their combined experience in coaching, coach education and youth development, Scott and Ray share practical insights into how coaches can create environments that support long-term growth and help young players fulfil their potential both on and off the pitch.

Whether you are a grassroots coach, academy practitioner, coach educator or parent, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to balance performance and development while keeping the individual needs of each player at the centre of the coaching process.

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

Website – Ray Power Official Website

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 in 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for grassroots coaches.

Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, who save time and effort while making their coaching journey more effective, enjoyable and successful for both themselves and their players.

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 Fan Mail

Episode 127,

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

Episode 127 – Coaches Voice (Episode 2): Half-Time Team Talks, Opposed v Unopposed, Player-Centred Coaching

In this episode we bring you the second instalment of our Coaches Voice series, recorded with Ray Power, where we share thoughts, experiences and reflections on key topics within the game.

This episode is shaped around questions and contributions from the coaching community. Zack kicks things off by asking about half-time team talks, Jonathan explores the use of opposed versus unopposed practices, and Adam, alongside a couple of his awesome young players, provides a brilliant real-life example of what player-centred coaching can look like in action.

We discuss how half-time can be used effectively to support players without overloading them, focusing on clarity of message and helping players to reset and refocus.

We also explore the balance between opposed and unopposed practices within training sessions, looking at how each can be used to support both technical development and game realism, and how coaches can design sessions that maximise transfer into match situations.

Finally, we reflect on player-centred coaching, highlighting the importance of creating environments where players are encouraged to think, solve problems, and take ownership of their development. Adam’s example, supported by his players, really brings this concept to life.

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

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 Fan Mail

Episode 126 – Training Session Round Table, with Ben Andreos, Craig Birtwistle, Peter Prickett & Ray Power

In this episode we bring together an outstanding panel for a Training Session Round Table discussion, focusing on what is arguably the most fundamental part of player development – the training session itself.

Joined by Ben Andreos, Craig Birtwistle, Peter Prickett and co-host Ray Power, we explore how coaches approach the design and delivery of training sessions. The conversation dives into session structure, how sessions connect to a wider coaching plan, and the importance of ensuring transfer from the training ground into matchday performance.

The panel share their experiences, ideas and practical approaches to creating engaging, purposeful and effective sessions that truly support both player and team development.

It was an absolute privilege to be joined by such an awesome group of coaches, each bringing their own perspective, insight and expertise to the discussion.

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

Connect with our guests

• Peter Prickett (The Bearded Coach) – X: @PeterPrickett 
• Craig Birtwistle – X: @CraigBirtwistle / @SessionShareNet 
• Ben Andreos – X: @ben_andreos 
• Ray Power – X: @power_ray 

Podcast Information

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

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!