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

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...

Hey, it’s Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. This is a follow-up to the last episode where we talked about the classic tryout dilemma:  Team A or Team B? In that show, I walked through how I help my own kids think through those choices. This time, I’m diving deeper — unpacking how I personally evaluate teams, what I  actually  look for in a training environment, and how I turn thes...

In this episode, I share a real conversation I had with a soccer dad wrestling with a common tryout dilemma — should his child join the more competitive A team or stick with the solid B team? I break down how I think through these choices with my own kids: focusing less on titles, leagues, or promises, and more on training environment, realistic commitment, and what we  actually  control as parent...

In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I (Neil Crawford, founder of Anytime Soccer Training) dive into one of the biggest headaches for parents— tryout season . What if we could standardize it? What if there was a clear window for tryouts, offers, and decisions—just like college recruiting? I explore a proposal that some states are already testing and raise questions about why this isn't the n...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here—host of The Inside Scoop and founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode, I interview Frisly Colop, a soccer parent currently living in Mexico, to get his firsthand perspective on how youth soccer in Mexico compares to the U.S.  We dive into the structure of training, the role of the community, cost differences, and what he’s observed as both a parent and a...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. In this episode of  The Inside Scoop , I’m diving into one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — issues in American youth soccer:  pay-to-play . I recently watched a YouTube video titled  “The Real (Optimistic) Truth About Pay-to-Play in America”  and had a thoughtful exchange with the host. It sparked this episode beca...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. This episode gets personal. I’m responding to a message from a fellow soccer parent about their child getting anxious and “forgetting their training” during games. That hit home for me—because I’ve been there with my own kids, and I know how helpless it can feel. In this episode, I open up about how I’ve approached those tough m...

Hey everyone, Neil Crawford here, founder of Anytime Soccer Training. This episode gets personal. I’m responding to a message from a fellow soccer parent about their child getting anxious and “forgetting their training” during games. That hit home for me—because I’ve been there with my own kids, and I know how helpless it can feel. In this episode, I open up about how I’ve approached those tough m...

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...

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...