Chat By The Pitch

Ian Babcock
  • 4.9 (7)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Chat By The Pitch is a youth soccer podcast focused on player development, coaching culture, and the family experience in the modern game. Hosted by Ian Babcock, the show connects parents, coaches, and club leaders with local, national, and global voices shaping youth soccer today. Each episode dives into the real decisions families face—team selection, development pathways, mental performance, coaching environments, and the gear and tools that support long-term growth. The conversations are honest, practical, and rooted in lived experience, not hype. Whether you’re navigating your first season or years into the journey, Chat By The Pitch helps soccer families make informed, confident decisions—on and off the field. 📧 Contact: chatbythepitch@gmail.com 📺 Watch YouTube: Chat By The Pitch 📱 Follow & Engage Instagram: @ChatByThePitch X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🔗 All Links linktr.ee/ChatByThePitch Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music & Audible, YouTube Music, YouTube — and wherever you get your podcasts. #ChatByThePitch #YouthSoccer #SoccerCulture #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #CoachingEducation #MentalPerformance #SoccerCommunity #TheBeautifulGame #NextGenSoccer #YouthSports #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast #GrassrootsSoccer #FutureOfSoccer

  1. Seeing the Next Level Changes Everything

    4D AGO

    Seeing the Next Level Changes Everything

    Seeing the Next Level Changes Everything In Part 2 of this conversation, Ian and Jonathan dig deeper into exposure, access, and perspective in youth sports. Jonathan explains why seeing the next level in person — middle school, college, or professional — can motivate kids without pressure, while also giving parents a clearer understanding of what elite performance actually looks like. They unpack the financial realities of club sports, travel, and training, and why “free” programs still come with hidden costs that many families can’t afford. The episode closes with powerful reflections on the coaches and mentors who shaped Jonathan’s life — reminders that long-term impact rarely comes from wins, rankings, or trophies. 🧠 Key Talking Points Why seeing the next level up motivates kids naturally The importance of watching sports live — not just on TV How context changes our perception of talent The physical and mental gap between youth and college athletes Financial barriers that limit access to elite pathways Why “free” youth sports still aren’t truly free How geography impacts opportunity in the U.S. The hidden costs of national leagues and travel Why winning isn’t a fair measure of development The lifelong influence of coaches who invest beyond results 💬 Quotes from Jonathan Corone “Until we see it up close, we don’t realize how big the gap really is.” “Context changes everything.” “Even if club fees are free, someone still has to get the kid there.” “Is winning really a fair way to judge success?” “Opportunity depends more on access than talent.” “There are more good people in sports than toxic ones — they’re just quieter.” “Gratitude is the thing I’ve learned the most from great leaders.” “The people who show up matter more than the results.” 🔗 Connect with Jonathan Corone 🌐 Website: healthysportsparents.com 🎙️ Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/1dpgJQoownxZfnliaiqIJv 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents/ 👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthySportsParents/ ⚽ Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter. #ChatByThePitch #HealthySportsParents #YouthSportsAccess #PlayerDevelopment #YouthSoccer #SportsParenting #CollegePathway #SportsCulture #EquityInSports #LongTermDevelopment #CoachingImpact Mentioned in this episode: TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team TeamPlayr Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds. Reeplayer Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories Soccer Innovations

    34 min
  2. Healthy Sports Parents: Why Most Kids Quit Before They’re Ready

    FEB 12

    Healthy Sports Parents: Why Most Kids Quit Before They’re Ready

    In Part 1 of this conversation, Ian sits down with Jonathan Corone, creator of Healthy Sports Parents, to unpack the emotional, cultural, and behavioral challenges parents face in youth sports. Jonathan shares how his own daughter’s experience — and a moment on the sidelines watching a parent lose control — sparked a platform focused on helping parents do better without shame or blame. Together, they explore why parents react the way they do, how outcome obsession sneaks in early, and why most kids don’t need more pressure — they need perspective. This episode is for parents, coaches, and anyone trying to protect joy, growth, and long-term development in youth sports. 🧠 Key Talking Points Why most parents don’t intend to become “that parent” on the sidelines How outcome obsession sneaks into youth sports early The emotional fatigue parents carry into games Why growth matters more than wins at young ages The difference between reacting and responding as a parent How kids mirror adult behavior on the field Why intrinsic motivation matters more than talent The dangers of projecting adult goals onto children How environment and resources shape development What kids actually remember long after the games end 💬 Quotes from Jonathan Corone “Most parents want to do better — they just haven’t been taught how.” “Youth sports are not about winning. They’re about teaching kids tools for life.” “If you’re having to motivate your kid, they’re probably not going to make it.” “Methods change. Principles don’t.” “Kids don’t fall out of love with sports overnight — they drift.” “Growth is what matters, not the scoreboard.” “Parents are reacting from exhaustion, not intention.” “You can’t make your kid want it — they have to want it themselves.” 🔗 Connect with Jonathan Corone 🌐 Website: healthysportsparents.com 🎙️ Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/1dpgJQoownxZfnliaiqIJv 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents/ 👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthySportsParents/ ⚽ Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter. #ChatByThePitch #HealthySportsParents #YouthSportsCulture #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #YouthSoccer #LongTermDevelopment #SidelineBehavior #SportsPsychology #ParentEducation #CoachingCulture #LetKidsPlay Mentioned in this episode: Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds. Reeplayer Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories Soccer Innovations TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team TeamPlayr

    38 min

  3. FEB 5

    Human First, Athlete Second: Development Over Scores in Youth Soccer

    In this solo episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock reflects on years of learning as a soccer parent, coach, and constant student of the game. This episode challenges the obsession with early results and reframes success around development, environment, communication, and joy. Ian explores what youth soccer is getting right, where it’s falling short, and what parents, coaches, and clubs can do—starting today—to create healthier, more sustainable experiences for young athletes. This conversation is for families who care about long-term growth, not just the scoreboard. Key Talking Points 1. Why development matters more than early wins 2. The danger of overscheduling and athlete burnout 3. Creating safe environments for learning and failure 4. Why kids need space to be kids—not mini professionals 5. The importance of emotional connection between coaches and players 6. How communication breakdowns damage player development 7. Culture as the foundation of healthy teams and clubs 8. The realities and consequences of pay-to-play youth sports 9. How sideline behavior shapes athlete confidence and creativity 10. Redefining success as lifelong love of the game, not outcomes Quotes from Ian Babcock 1. “Our job isn’t to push kids toward greatness. It’s to walk beside them so they can define what greatness means for themselves.” 2. “Winning early doesn’t create better players. It usually creates burned-out ones.” 3. “Kids don’t fall out of love with sports all at once. They drift—from joy to obligation, from play to performance.” 4. “If a child feels safe enough to fail, they’ll be brave enough to grow.” 5. “We’re raising humans first. Athletes second. When we get that order right, everything else gets easier.” 6. “Development isn’t about today’s score. It’s about who the athlete becomes over time.” 7. “Overscheduling doesn’t build commitment—it slowly erodes joy.” 8. “Culture isn’t about winning at all costs. It’s about creating an environment kids want to stay in.” 9. “When parents, players, and coaches aren’t aligned, development breaks down fast.” 10. “If a kid still loves the game at 25—or 80—we’ve done our job.” Connect with Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter. #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #HumanFirstAthleteSecond #LongTermDevelopment #YouthSportsCulture #ParentEducation #CoachingPhilosophy #LoveTheGame #DevelopmentOverResults Mentioned in this episode: TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team TeamPlayr Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories Soccer Innovations Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds. Reeplayer

    45 min
  4. John O’Sullivan on Parenting Without Pressure in Sports

    JAN 29

    John O’Sullivan on Parenting Without Pressure in Sports

    In Part 2 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan dives deeper into the realities of pressure, anxiety, early specialization, and the myths that continue to shape youth sports in unhealthy ways. We unpack why the so-called 10,000-hour rule doesn’t hold up, why development is never linear, and why mentality, enjoyment, and resilience matter more than chasing outcomes at young ages. John also shares powerful insights for parents on how to support their kids without adding pressure — and why nervousness isn’t a problem, but a sign that kids care. This episode challenges parents, coaches, and organizations to redefine success, strip away interference, and help kids fall in love with movement so sports remain a positive part of their lives long after the final whistle. Key Talking Points Why the 10,000-hour rule is a myth — and what matters insteadThe dangers of early specialization and outcome obsessionWhy development is different for every athlete and every sportHow pressure shifts from excitement to anxietyTeaching kids to handle nerves instead of eliminating themPerformance as potential minus interferenceWhy parents must separate their identity from their child’s sportLetting the journey belong to the athlete, not the adultsHow joy fuels resilience and long-term commitmentRedefining success beyond wins, trophies, and rankings Quotes From Guest “There’s no such thing as a 10,000-hour rule.”“Kids are not computers — you don’t just program hours into them.”“Nervous means that you care.”“Performance is potential minus interference.”“The same drive that helps some kids succeed can also destroy them.”“You can do everything right and still get hurt.”“Sport is something kids do — it’s not who they are.”“Our job as parents is to strip away interference, not add to it.”“Success isn’t winning every game — it’s kids wanting to come back.”“The goal is raising athletes for life.” Connect With John O’Sullivan 🌐 Website: https://changingthegameproject.com 🎙️ Podcast: https://wayofchampionspodcast.com 📚 Book: Changing the Game 📸 Instagram:...

    44 min
  5. Let the Journey Belong to the Kid: John O’Sullivan on Development and Ownership

    JAN 22

    Let the Journey Belong to the Kid: John O’Sullivan on Development and Ownership

    In Part 1 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly drives healthy development in youth sports. John shares his journey from long-time soccer coach to founder of Change the Game Project, explaining why burnout, fear-based coaching, and adult agendas continue to derail young athletes. We dive into culture, joy, intrinsic motivation, and why relationships — not tactics — are the foundation of sustainable success. This episode is essential listening for parents, coaches, and anyone invested in helping kids stay in the game longer, love the process, and grow as people — not just players. Key Talking Points Why fear-based coaching can create short-term results but long-term damageThe difference between transactional and transformational coachingHow burnout often starts with adults, not athletesWhy coaching is fundamentally a relationship businessWhat research says kids actually want from sportsThe myth that fun and competitiveness don’t coexistHow joy fuels intrinsic motivation and long-term growthTeaching athletes to compete, not just “win”The role of autonomy in athlete developmentWhy culture matters more than systems, tactics, or drills Quotes From John O’Sullivan “You can compel people through fear in the short term, but it’s not sustainable.”“If kids quit next year, who cares how many games you won?”“Coaching is a relationship business — not an X’s and O’s business.”“You can’t teach winning. You can teach competing.”“Joy and competitiveness absolutely coexist.”“Fun doesn’t mean sloppy — it means organized, challenging, and meaningful.”“Intrinsic motivation is the path to mastery.”“If you remove joy or ownership, motivation fades.”“Sport teaches kids how to do hard things.”“Development isn’t just performance — it’s moral character.” Connect with John O’Sullivan 🌐 Website: https://changingthegameproject.com 🎙️ Podcast: https://wayofchampionspodcast.com 📚 Book: Changing the Game 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changingthegameproject ✖️...

    38 min
  6. Inside Salient Touch FA: Session Design & Player Evaluation

    JAN 15

    Inside Salient Touch FA: Session Design & Player Evaluation

    In Part 2, Ian Babcock continues the conversation with Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez, founders of Salient Touch Football Academy, diving deep into how real development is executed day to day. This episode breaks down session design, open enrollment, punch cards vs. consistency, defending development, and Salient Touch’s ability-based leveling system. Dominique and Antonio explain why age alone is a poor indicator of readiness, how players are evaluated during trial sessions, and why holding firm on levels actually protects player confidence and growth. For parents navigating busy schedules—and coaches trying to maintain standards—this conversation provides rare transparency into what thoughtful development looks like behind the scenes. 🔑 Key Talking Points How Salient Touch designs sessions around player readinessWhy cones vs. game-based sessions change day to dayOpen enrollment without sacrificing training qualityPunch cards vs. monthly commitment — what actually worksWhy defending is one of the fastest transferable skillsLeveling players by ability, not birth yearHow trial sessions evaluate the full player profileManaging plateaus without rushing promotionsParent communication as a core development pillarBuilding long-term pathways instead of short-term wins 💬 Quotes from the Guests “Development is best seen with consistency — there’s no way around that.” — Dominique Molina“It’s not one size fits all. It’s one size fits one at a time.” — Antonio Perez“If we water down our levels, we water down what we offer.” — Dominique Molina“Defending is the only way you ever get the ball back.” — Antonio Perez“Progress doesn’t always show on the field right away.” — Dominique Molina“We evaluate the emotional and social side just as much as the technical.” — Antonio Perez“Some players need time, not pressure.” — Antonio Perez“Parents deserve clarity, not confusion.” — Dominique Molina 🔗 Connect with Salient Touch Football Academy 🌐 Website: https://salienttouch.com/contact 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/salienttouchfutbolacademy 👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/SalientTouch Email: Info@SalientTouch.com Call/Text : 940.268.3392 🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The...

    52 min
  7. From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin Story

    JAN 8

    From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin Story

    From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin Story In Part 1 of this conversation, Ian Babcock sits down with Salient Touch Football Academy founders Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez to unpack how Salient Touch was built—from a bumpy public field to a multi-location technical training program serving hundreds of players each week. This episode dives into identity, first touch, emotional intelligence in coaching, and why individual development is often misunderstood in modern youth soccer. Dominique and Antonio share personal journeys from elite athletics, professional playing ambitions, and hard transition moments that ultimately shaped their coaching philosophy. If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to understand what real development looks like—and why progress isn’t linear—this conversation sets the foundation. 🔑 Key Talking Points 1. Why first touch is foundational at every age 2. Letting go of the professional dream to build something bigger 3. Coaching without mentors — learning through lived experience 4. Adapting training to emotional and psychological player needs 5. Why technical repetition alone doesn’t work for every child 6. The difference between team development and individual growth 7. Building a business while protecting coaching culture 8. Why progress feels invisible during development plateaus 9. The challenge of parent communication at scale 10. Creating environments where discipline and joy coexist 💬 Quotes from the Guests 1. “If you don’t have a good first touch, it’s impossible to be a good player.” — Antonio Perez 2. “Each player needs something different emotionally from the game.” — Dominique Molina 3. “Our goal isn’t to make everyone pro — it’s to educate them through the sport.” — Antonio Perez 4. “Nothing worth doing in sports is easy, and we shouldn’t pretend it is.” — Dominique Molina 5. “Some players need repetition. Others need sensation.” — Antonio Perez 6. “Culture starts with who you allow on your staff.” — Dominique Molina 7. “Progress isn’t linear — it’s chaotic.” — Antonio Perez 8. “Parents deserve clarity, not silence.” — Dominique Molina 🔗 Connect with Salient Touch Football Academy 🌐 Website: https://salienttouch.com/contact 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/salienttouchfutbolacademy 👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/SalientTouch Email: Info@SalientTouch.com Call/Text : 940.268.3392 🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps keep these conversations going. #ChatByThePitch #SalientTouchFA #YouthSoccerDevelopment #FirstTouch #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCulture #TechnicalTraining #YouthSportsParent #CoachingEducation #SoccerPodcast Mentioned in this episode: Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds. Reeplayer TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team TeamPlayr Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories Soccer Innovations

    55 min

  8. JAN 1

    Ted Kroeten: The Future of U.S. Soccer Through Joy of the People

    In Part 2, Ted Kroeten goes deeper into the mechanics of free play, why traditional training misreads how kids actually learn, and how small-sided chaos builds problem-solvers, communicators, and creators. From one-v-one misconceptions to futsal culture, mixed-age environments, and why American kids rarely get “underload” time, Ted explains what the U.S. must rethink to compete globally. He also breaks down what parents can actually do to bring joy and development back into their child’s soccer life — even without a Joy of the People program nearby. This conversation is a blueprint for the next 10–15 years of American soccer… if we’re willing to go “down the mountain” before climbing higher. Key Talking Points • Why 1v1 isn’t the holy grail — and why 2v2 teaches the real language of soccer • What small-sided games unlock: communication, deception, decision-making • The concept of overload vs underload and how it shapes development • Why futsal, SALs, barefoot play, and alternate balls accelerate creativity • The danger of top-down coaching and why talk-heavy models block learning • How kids self-regulate, self-officiate, and learn conflict resolution in real play • Why U.S. kids lack free play opportunities — especially girls • The global shift toward small-sided formats and why the U.S. is behind • How parents can build play cultures at home, in neighborhoods, and in friend groups • Ted’s vision for the U.S. over the next 10–15 years — and why a “Play Revolution” is coming Quotes from Ted Kroeten • “Kids don’t want to learn soccer — they want to be with their friends. The learning is a byproduct.” • “One-v-one doesn’t really exist. Two-v-two teaches the real communication of the game.” • “If a kid knows how they learned it, it can be hacked. If they learned it unconsciously, it can’t.” • “Small-sided, uncoached play is where the language of the game is spoken.” • “Friends must come before skills. Trust must come before competition.” • “We don’t need more performance — we need more joy.” Episode Chapters 00:00 — Why 1v1 Is Misunderstood in Player Development 03:45 — 2v2 and 3v3: Where the Language of Soccer Lives 07:30 — Small-Sided Chaos and Real Decision-Making 11:15 — Overload vs Underload: Reading Kids, Not Results 15:30 — Why Futsal Changes How Players Think 19:30 — Mixed-Age Play and Learning From Older Kids 23:30 — When Performance Kills Joy and Creativity 27:45 — Kids Who Love Winning vs Kids Who Love Playing 31:45 — Parents, Pressure, and the Loss of Free Play 36:00 — Why U.S. Soccer Develops Too Early, Too Fast 40:30 — Self-Regulation, Conflict, and Social Learning in Play 44:30 — Building Play Environments Without a Club 48:45 — What Coaches Talk Too Much About 52:45 — Peak Height Velocity and Developmental Timing 57:00 — Why Free-Play Kids Struggle Early but Thrive Later 1:01:15 — Failing First to Build Better Players 1:05:30 — The Next 10–15 Years of American Soccer 1:09:30 — A Call to Trust Kids and Protect Play Connect with Ted / Joy of the People 🌐 Website: https://www.joyofthepeople.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_o_t_p/ ✖️ X: https://x.com/JOYofthePEOPLE 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyofthepeople/ Follow Chat By The Pitch ✖️ X: @ChatByThePitch 📸 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe & Review — your support helps bring important conversations to families and coaches. #ChatByThePitch #JoyOfThePeople #FreePlay #LetThemPlay #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCulture #StreetSoccer #Futsal #SoccerAsALanguage #PlayBasedLearning...

    46 min
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About

Chat By The Pitch is a youth soccer podcast focused on player development, coaching culture, and the family experience in the modern game. Hosted by Ian Babcock, the show connects parents, coaches, and club leaders with local, national, and global voices shaping youth soccer today. Each episode dives into the real decisions families face—team selection, development pathways, mental performance, coaching environments, and the gear and tools that support long-term growth. The conversations are honest, practical, and rooted in lived experience, not hype. Whether you’re navigating your first season or years into the journey, Chat By The Pitch helps soccer families make informed, confident decisions—on and off the field. 📧 Contact: chatbythepitch@gmail.com 📺 Watch YouTube: Chat By The Pitch 📱 Follow & Engage Instagram: @ChatByThePitch X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🔗 All Links linktr.ee/ChatByThePitch Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music & Audible, YouTube Music, YouTube — and wherever you get your podcasts. #ChatByThePitch #YouthSoccer #SoccerCulture #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #CoachingEducation #MentalPerformance #SoccerCommunity #TheBeautifulGame #NextGenSoccer #YouthSports #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast #GrassrootsSoccer #FutureOfSoccer

Information

  • Creator
    Ian Babcock
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Ian Babcock
  • Show Website
    Chat By The Pitch