The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World

In this follow-up episode, I continue the conversation on youth soccer development and club accountability. After sparking debate in our online communities, I break down the reality behind club philosophies and the challenge of measuring true progress. Are clubs genuinely developing players, or just selling the illusion of it? I tackle common misconceptions, the complexities of evaluating developm...

Every soccer club claims to prioritize "individual development," but what does that really mean? In this episode, I explore the layers behind club philosophies, development processes, and game models, exposing the gaps in transparency. If your child’s soccer journey is an investment, how do you measure the return?

Podcast Title: "Join the 1%: Elevate Your Rec Coaching Game"Episode Summary: In this follow-up episode, I break down what separates the top 1% of rec coaches from the rest. Spoiler alert—it’s not about having a pro soccer background! It’s about being intentional, organized, and focused on player development while keeping the game fun . I’ll share practical steps on structuring engaging p...

Podcast Title: "Rec Coach to Rec Coach: Advice for New Soccer Coaches"Episode Summary: Hey everyone, it’s Neil Crawford, host of Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. Today, I’m diving into a message from an old friend who just volunteered to coach his son’s U-12 team. He’s excited but a little nervous—sound familiar? In this episode, I reflect on my own journey as a rec c...

Hey everyone, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I dive into a social media post that’s been making the rounds on game formats and youth soccer development. But before getting into that, I introduce a term I’m coining for parents— tactical goals and tactical sequences —which describe patterns of play that reflect a team’s game mode...

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 abo...

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 depe...

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 on...

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 the...

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...

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...

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...

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 as...

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 vide...

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/

Welcome to another episode! I’m Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, and today we’re tackling a question that hits close to home for many soccer parents. Have you ever told your kid not to pass to certain teammates—maybe a new kid or someone you think is better than them? It’s a tough topic, but I’m offering my thoughts on the situation and what role coaches play in this kind of beha...

Coach Dave Gleason on Learning

Why does youth soccer in the U.S. cost so much? In this episode, I sit down with Coach Rory to break down the real reasons behind the high price of playing. It’s not just club fees and travel—it’s the entire system. From league structures to funding models, we dive into why parents are footing the bill while other countries keep costs low. This is a short preview before the full interview drops—do...

Why does youth soccer in the U.S. cost so much? In this episode, I sit down with Coach Rory to break down the real reasons behind the high price of playing. It’s not just club fees and travel—it’s the entire system. From league structures to funding models, we dive into why parents are footing the bill while other countries keep costs low. This is a short preview before the full interview drops—do...

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-provokin...

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-provokin...

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 for...

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....

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 ho...

🚨 Podcast Preview! 🚨 Hey soccer parents and coaches, I sat down with Jay Carney, author of US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper, SHIT on Grass . We discussed bold ideas for reforming youth soccer, from long-term development to club accountability, inspired by successful systems like England's. The full interview drops this week—don’t miss it! Let’s get better together. 💪⚽ Referral Link htt...