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

Neil Crawford
  • 4.5 (20)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Inside Scoop Youth Soccer podcast is a place where parents and coaches from around the world get together to discuss how youth soccer works in their city. Go to www.anytime-soccer.com to learn more.

  1. 1D AGO

    Quick Clarification on Pro/Rel in Youth Soccer

    This is just a quick clarification on what people really mean when they bring up promotion and relegation in youth soccer. I share my perspective on how the idea gets misunderstood and what actually matters for kids and development.

    10 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Are we Moralizing Club's Too Much - A Reformed Parent's Perspective

    I wasn’t always the parent I am now. For years, I thought I was helping my sons by stepping in, questioning coaches, pulling them from practice for outside games, and trying to “manage” their development myself. Looking back, I can see how often I got in the way of what their clubs were actually trying to build. I meant well, but I didn’t understand the bigger picture. This episode is me owning that—and pushing back on the way we, as parents, turn every club policy into a moral judgment. Guest playing is my example, but the pattern is everywhere. Three clubs can handle it three completely different ways and still genuinely care about development. I had to learn that the hard way. I talk about the “I’m paying, so I own the experience” mindset I used to have, why I held my older son back from an academy move even when it felt uncomfortable, and the real pressures clubs face when parent factions start pulling in different directions. My message to parents is simple but not always easy: Ask the right questions before you join. Once you commit, actually commit. And if the fit isn’t right, move on without burning the place down. For clubs, be painfully clear about your policies upfront so families know exactly what they’re signing up for. Different approaches aren’t moral failures. They’re just different. And if we want youth soccer to be healthier, we need less judgment and more partnership. If you want, I can make it even more raw, more conversational, or more punchy, depending on the tone you want for the episode.

    39 min
  3. They Don't Care About Development — Why I'm Defending the Clubs

    4D AGO

    They Don't Care About Development — Why I'm Defending the Clubs

    A coach's viral reel says if your club won't release your player card, they don't care about your child's development. I disagree — not because clubs are always right, but because we need to stop moralizing every disagreement in youth soccer. In this episode, I break down why clubs can have sincere reasons for their policies, why it shouldn't matter if you're paying or it's a free academy, and why the real problem isn't player cards — it's the us-versus-them mentality that's replacing communication with conflict.

    23 min

  4. 4D AGO

    The State of Grassroots Soccer: Why Fundamentals Still Matter - with Coach Jesse Nova

    Kids are jumping from rec to club way too early — and showing up without the basics. In this episode, Coach Jesse and I get real about what's broken in grassroots soccer: 👉 Why kids are leaving rec before they're ready👉 The frustration of coaching older players who never learned fundamentals👉 Funding gaps and field shortages killing quality programs👉 Why "club" doesn't automatically mean "better" If you've ever asked yourself "Should my kid stay in rec or move to club?" — listen to this one first.

    18 min
  5. The Problem With Scrimmages (And What to Do Instead)

    FEB 8

    The Problem With Scrimmages (And What to Do Instead)

    I’m Neil Crawford, and in this episode I’m breaking down the real problem with scrimmages in youth soccer. Coaches love them, parents expect them, and players think they’re ‘the fun part’—but they’re quietly holding kids back. I’m pulling back the curtain on why endless scrimmaging stalls development, what actually builds skill, and how we can rethink training to help every player grow.” If you want, I can make it spicier, more conversational, or more research‑backed depending on the vibe you want for the episode.

    25 min

  6. JAN 23

    From Brazilian Orphan to Soccer Coach: Jesse Novatski's Journey

    In this episode of The Inside Scoop, I sit down with Coach Jesse Novatski — a grassroots and college coach who's become a trusted voice in our soccer parent community. Jesse has a remarkable story. Born near São Paulo, Brazil, he spent his early years in an orphanage before being adopted and moving to the United States at age five. "The United States became my fifth birthday present," he shares. We talk about how those early experiences shaped his character, his drive, and ultimately his coaching philosophy. From giving food to homeless people on the streets of Rio as a child, to that one summer when "the skills just started to come, the goals just started to come" — Jesse's path to coaching was anything but ordinary. If you've seen Jesse in our Facebook group preaching about fundamentals, free play, and making sure kids love the game — this conversation gives you the full picture of why he believes what he believes. Connect with Coach Jesse:🌐 https://coachjessenova.com/🎓 https://www.keystone.edu/ FREE RESOURCES: 📚 Free Resource Hub – Guides, tips, and tools for soccer parentshttps://anytime-soccer.com/free-resource-hub/ ⚽ 7-Day Training Plan – Free soccer drills to get your kid startedhttps://anytime-soccer.com/free-soccer-drills-for-kids/ 👕 Support the Show – Grab some merch!https://anytime-soccer.com/merch/

    44 min

  7. JAN 5

    How to Find Specific Drills When Your Coach Gives Feedback | Aerial Control Tutorial

    Hey guys, Neil Crawford here. In this episode, I show you how to find specific drills in Anytime Soccer Training when a coach gives your player targeted feedback. A parent asked about aerial control drills, so I walk through creating a custom training session and pinning the right videos from our 5,000+ video library. Remember: technology plus human is better than either alone. You can modify any drill to fit your needs while still getting the timer, tracking, and professional demonstration. Ready to get started? Check out these free resources: 🎯 Free 7-Day Training Plan: anytime-soccer.com/free-soccer-drills-for-kids/ 📚 Free Resource Hub: anytime-soccer.com/free-resource-hub/ 👕 Anytime Soccer Training Merch: anytime-soccer.com/merch/ Let's get better together.

    12 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Getting Started Right: Your 30-Day Roadmap to Better 1v1 Skills

    In this Inside Scoop session, I answer a parent's question about helping their 14-year-old improve 1v1 skills with just 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. I walk through our "Get Started" section for experienced players and show how our 30-day training plans focus on essential dribbling and ball mastery that translate directly to game performance. I demonstrate how the dashboard's calendar pinning and completion tracking features keep players accountable, with email notifications when plans are finished. I emphasize that consistent in-home training is like sharpening a rifle—it's what transforms game performance, whether you're training indoors during cold months or outside. I also introduce our Player Journey feature that maps out a lifetime training progression and show how to navigate between grid and list views to find exactly what you need. Ready to get started? Grab our free 7-day training plan at anytimesoccertraining.com and see how just 30 minutes a day can transform your player's 1v1 skills.

    4 min
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4.5
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20 Ratings

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The Inside Scoop Youth Soccer podcast is a place where parents and coaches from around the world get together to discuss how youth soccer works in their city. Go to www.anytime-soccer.com to learn more.

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