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

This episode is not about offering solutions. Nope — it’s a full-on rant inspired by the tidal wave of advice, contradictions, and guilt trips parents get from every corner of the youth soccer world. We’re told: Don’t train your kid too early — unless you do. Winning doesn’t matter — but your team better be in a competitive league. Clubs don’t develop players — but also, stop moving clubs. Be hand...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I share an idea I’ve been thinking about—what if schools could partner with local soccer clubs to create affordable after-school programs that mirror the club soccer experience? It’s not something I plan to launch, but I wanted to think out loud, unpack the challenges, and hear your thought...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here with a quick update to my last episode. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make starting with Anytime Soccer Training more intuitive — especially for new parents and coaches who feel overwhelmed by all the content. In this short episode, I walk through a new idea I’m hoping to roll out with the dev team — a simple, organized way to follow weekly training plans b...

In this episode, I answer a great question from a parent struggling to structure a training plan for their 6-year-old using Anytime Soccer Training. I share a straightforward, age-appropriate approach to avoid overwhelm, focus on foundational skills, and keep training fun. Whether you're a parent or coach, this episode will help you build a plan that supports consistent development without ove...

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. Today’s episode is a little different — I’m responding to a text from a fellow "parent trainer" that had me thinking. We’re talking about what it really looks like behind the scenes when parents support their kids in soccer development, how the so-called "crazy parent" label gets thrown ar...

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford here, host of  The Inside Scoop . This episode is a behind-the-scenes snippet of a fun conversation I had with pro scout Chris Robinson. Chris shared some of his thoughts on the relative age effect and a few other hot topics in the world of scouting. It was a really interesting chat, and I’m excited to give you a glimpse into how scouts think about player devel...

Hey everyone, it’s Neil Crawford. In today’s episode, I’m responding to a great message I got from a listener who’s feeling a little frustrated with their club’s setup. We’re talking about how to bring up concerns — like training time, competition level, or even suggesting something like Anytime Soccer Training — without being labeled "that parent." I’ll share a few real-world tips and h...

Hey everyone, it's Neil Crawford here. In today’s episode, I’m answering a great question I got from a parent who asked how their child can perform better in rondos — especially with tryouts right around the corner. I break down why individual technical training actually  does  help your rondo game, even though it might not seem like it at first. We talk about how things like first touch, pass...

Winning Mindset Program with Thomas Dooley

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop. In this episode, I dig into a term we hear all the time— soccer IQ —but rarely define clearly. What does it really mean? Why do so many players lack it? And what can we actually do about it? I also share how I'm helping my own son improve in this area—and why most clubs aren't teaching it like they should. Let’s break it down and challenge...

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, host of The Inside Scoop. In this episode, I dig into a term we hear all the time— soccer IQ —but rarely define clearly. What does it really mean? Why do so many players lack it? And what can we actually do about it? I also share how I'm helping my own son improve in this area—and why most clubs aren't teaching it like they should. Let’s break it down and challenge...

In this episode, I sat down with Juan Martinez, the President and Executive Director of DKSC, to get real about what it actually costs to run a competitive youth soccer club. We talked about his journey into coaching, the early days of DKSC, and then dove into the numbers—things like coaching salaries, field rentals, admin fees, and how fast it all adds up. Juan shared how his club tries to stay s...

In this episode, I share a conversation that really stood out—a 14-year-old player reached out to me directly, signed up for Anytime Soccer Training on his own, and started doing the work. What impressed me even more was his question: “Is it okay to take a rest day?” That simple question sparked this episode. We talk about why rest is not only okay—but necessary—and how it fits into long-term deve...

Here’s a short, punchy podcast title and description written in the first person, perfect for your episode with Chris Robinson: 🎙️ Title: Inside the Mind of a Premier League Scout — My Conversation with Chris Robinson 📝 Description: In this episode, I sit down with Chris Robinson, lead scout for a top EPL club, to dive deep into the world of scouting. We talk about his journey from player to tale...

Hey coaches, Neil Crawford here—host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I’m responding to a great email from a fellow coach who’s been using Anytime with his team and had some thoughtful questions about instruction, skill moves, and how to best support players when you’re not able to demonstrate every move yourself. Here’s the thing—we’re all better coache...

In this episode of The Inside Scoop , Neil Crawford shares a powerful story about a young player's transition from rec to competitive soccer—and how that moment inspired the creation of Anytime Weekly Plans . He also breaks down the difference between goals and standards , why kids might not fully grasp long-term goals, and how parents can use consistency, structure, and growth mindset to keep...

In this episode, I respond to a great question from a parent of a four-year-old asking if Anytime Soccer Training has sessions for kids that young — and more importantly, what advice I’d give to someone just starting their soccer journey. I take a step back and reflect on what I wish I had known when my boys were that age. We talk about being intentional but playful, the importance of early adopti...

In this episode, I’m responding to a voice memo from a friend and fellow soccer parent who’s been using the 30-day programs inside Anytime Soccer Training. She loves how simple and organized it is — and I totally get it. That’s why I built those plans. But I also wanted to share something deeper — how I stumbled on what I now call a cheat code for building a rock-solid technical foundation at home...

In this episode of The Inside Scoop , I answer a question I hear all the time from parents — “How can I help my child become more confident, especially in 1v1 situations against stronger players?” A fellow parent reached out about their almost 11-year-old who is technically decent but lacks confidence when the pressure is on. I’ve been there — not just as a coach, but as a dad working with my own...

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I answer a common question from parents — where should your child start in the program? I break it down simply: begin with the 1,000 Touch Ball Mastery , Ronaldinho Freestyle Dribbling , Juggling , and Wall Passing . These are the core building blocks I used with my own kids. I also share why patience and consistency mat...

In this episode, I break down a soccer video submitted by one of our Facebook group members, showing how data can turn subjective opinions into objective insights . Instead of relying on gut feelings or vague feedback, I explore how tracking key metrics—like touches, decision-making, and positioning—can provide a clearer picture of player development. Join me as I discuss why numbers don’t lie, ho...

In this episode, I sit down with Tami Matheny, a renowned Mental Game Coach, author, and certified Jon Gordon trainer, to explore one of the trickiest aspects of youth sports: giving feedback to competitive kids. Tami draws on her deep experience working with athletes across a wide range of sports—including soccer—to offer practical, research-backed advice for parents and coaches alike. We dive in...

In this episode, I keep the conversation going on youth soccer development and club accountability. After stirring up discussions in our online communities, I take a deeper dive into the real challenges of evaluating player progress. Are clubs truly developing players, or just marketing development? I break down the difference between player evaluations and measuring a club’s effectiveness, highli...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Haughton, Technical Director of Bluffton Rush , to explore how a strong technical framework helps young players thrive. With experience at Manchester City’s Academy, Burnley FC, and Global Premier Soccer, Mike shares key insights on coaching education, player development, and building a successful soccer pathway. 🔗 Learn more about Mike and Bluffton Rush: Blu...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Inside Scoop ! I'm your host, Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. If you're new here, this podcast helps parents explore different soccer pathways worldwide. And of course, it's brought to you by Anytime Soccer Training—the only training app with over 5,000 step-by-step training videos. Check it out at anytime-soccer.com . Now, onto today’s show! Ye...