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

It’s the holidays — and every year I get the same questions about new gadgets, apps, and “fun” soccer programs. In this episode, I reveal why most kids lose interest fast… and why real development is more nuanced. Enjoy!

In this short preview, Dr. Val Rytova reveals one of the biggest myths about practice — and what neuroscience says actually builds skill. Learn more here https://www.drvalrytova.com/

What’s really happening inside your brain when you practice a skill over and over again? In this episode, we sit down with  Dr. Val Rytova , neuroscientist and creator of  Neuroplasticity and  Epigenetics 101 , to explore how consistent practice literally rewires your brain. Dr. Rytova breaks down the science of  neuroplasticity  — how repetition and focus reshape your brain’s structure — and expl...

In this episode, I challenge the myth that playing more games leads to better players. Games don’t build skill — they reveal it. I explain how true development happens outside the spotlight, through repetition and deliberate practice, not in the flow state of competition.

In this episode of The Inside Scoop , I unpack what I call the universal answer — a framework I use to respond to nearly every question parents ask about their child’s soccer development. This time, the question was: “How can I help my child be more aggressive on the field?” Instead of offering a quick fix, I explain why words like “aggressive” are often too vague to be useful — and how to transfo...

Every soccer parent has asked it. Most coaches can't answer it. In this episode, I reveal the one framework that cuts through the noise and gives you a real answer — every single time. A parent came to me frustrated. Their kid wasn't "aggressive enough." Sound familiar? But here's the thing — that word is killing your child's development. I break down exactly why vague fe...

In this episode, I answer a parent’s question about how to help their child who’s technically solid but finding it hard to stand out on a stronger team. I share how I’d approach this situation using the  principles of play  and my experience as both a coach and parent. We talk about balancing  technical work ,  physical training , and  tactical awareness , and why development often happens in phas...

In this follow-up episode of The Inside Scoop , host Neil Crawford sits down again with Joao Plantier, General Manager of FuteBALLER and former scout for Sporting CP and other top European clubs. This time, the spotlight is on how FuteBALLER actively creates opportunities for young players to be seen and evaluated by European scouts. Joao explains the systems and strategies FuteBALLER uses to conn...

In this quick recap episode of  The Inside Scoop , I revisit my approach to starting every team training session with unopposed technical work. I wanted to make this short and clear—just breaking down why I do it, what the benefits are, and some of the drawbacks too. I also share a great conversation we had in the Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group about how unopposed drills fit into modern co...

In this episode of The Inside Scoop , host Neil Crawford talks with Joao Plantier , General Manager of FuteBALLER and a former scout with Sporting CP and other top European clubs. Joao shares what scouts really look for during a two-week trial — from technical quality and decision-making to mentality and adaptability. He breaks down the difference between American and European development , what s...

In this episode, I share why I always start my soccer sessions with  unopposed technical training  — even though some coaches wouldn’t. After talking with a fellow JV coach and alum who gave me great feedback, I wanted to explain my approach and the strategy behind it. For me, it’s about getting a  high volume of touches , maximizing  football actions , and never wasting time. I also touch on what...

In this quick episode of  The Inside Scoop , I respond to a great question from our Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group:  Can speed of play and technical IQ really be improved in private training?   I share my personal perspective as both a soccer dad and JV coach, why one-on-one work is crucial (but doesn’t always need a private trainer), and how home training fits into the bigger picture. It’...

In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I dig into a question that stirred up plenty of debate in our Anytime Soccer Training Facebook group:  Are kids more likely to go pro if their parents set that goal early on? It’s a thought exercise, not a prediction—but it opens up big conversations about parenting, expectations, and how much influence we really have on our children’s soccer journeys. I shar...

In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I push back on the common “U.S. Soccer bad, rest of the world good” narrative. Sparked by a heated Facebook group discussion, we look at league tables, myths about youth soccer abroad, and whether parents here are focusing on the wrong things—missing what truly drives player development.

This episode of  The Inside Scoop  is a follow-up to my recent discussion on soccer IQ. Instead of just theory, I share real match clips that highlight how the principles, patterns, and people we talked about actually play out on the field. It’s a chance to see the framework come to life—through the eyes of both a parent and a player. Here is the playlist in case the video is not clear https://you...

This week on  The Inside Scoop , we dive into one of the toughest questions every soccer parent eventually asks:  How do I help my child improve their soccer IQ? It all started when I got a message from one of my Morehouse brothers—when a Morehouse man asks, you answer. What seemed like a simple question opened up a much bigger conversation about the game, how kids really learn, and the role we pl...

In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I sit down with João Plantier—UEFA Pro Coach and General Manager at FuteBALLER—to talk about what makes Portuguese youth soccer different from the U.S. We dig into the culture, coaching, and pathways that have produced world-class players at clubs like Sporting CP and Benfica, and explore what parents and coaches in the States can learn from Europe’s approach...

Just dropped a new snippet from my chat with  João Plantier , UEFA Pro Coach and General Manager at FuteBALLER. https://www.futeballer.co/coaches We dug into the differences between youth soccer in Portugal and the U.S.—from culture to coaching to player development. Check it out and let me know what stands out to you. Full episode dropping this Friday!

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training and your host of  The Inside Scoop . Normally, this show is all about exploring the soccer pathways available to kids around the world. But today’s a little different—it’s a check-in episode. I’ve been quiet lately because I took on a new role: assistant high school coach and head JV coach. For someone who didn’t grow up playing the game,...

In this episode, I’m sharing a bit about what it means to be a  parent trainer —and why I think so many of us fall into that category without even realizing it. I talk about the balance between pushing too hard and not doing enough, why deliberate practice still matters, and the role tech can play in all this. Plus, I share one simple tip for getting high-quality training without spending a dime—s...

Hey everyone — Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop. In this episode, I sit down with Gloria Stitt, co-founder of https://ussoccerparent.com/, and a soccer mom with an incredible story. Her son’s journey took him from futsal courts in New York City all the way to playing in Madrid, Spain. We dive into:⚽ How soccer is part of her Hispanic heritage🌍 T...

Hey guys, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training, and welcome back to The Inside Scoop . Today I’m sitting down with the incredible Gloria Stitt — co-founder of a new website called ussoccerparent.com , a much-needed resource for families navigating the wild world of youth soccer. In this episode, Gloria shares her personal story as a soccer mom whose son went from futsal in New Yo...

Hey guys, it’s Neil Crawford here—founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop. I just wrapped up a great interview with Gloria Stitt, co-founder of the new site www. USSoccerParent.com . This is just a quick preview, but we talked about why they built the site and how it’s designed to help parents navigate the youth soccer journey with more clarity and confidence. Full episode...

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this quick episode, I’m tossing out a random idea that popped into my head during a Facebook group convo. No research, no promises—just something I wanted to say out loud and see if it sparks any thoughts. Give it a listen, then let me know what  you  think.

Hey, it's Neil Crawford here with a quick freestyle episode of  The Inside Scoop . This one’s just me thinking out loud — no script, just opinion. A friend of mine posted a great graphic from the Croatian Football Federation encouraging players to rotate positions. I love the idea  in theory , but I had to jump on the mic and share a few personal thoughts. We’ll talk about: Why I prefer my son...