This episode features the best parent questions from our podcasts in 2025.

CHAPTERS

0:00 What can my kid do to get more minutes?

2:50 Should my kid be playing in a different position?

5:42 Skipping practice or games due to pain

10:58 Advice for high school season

15:46 Advice for tryouts

22:55 Thoughts on private training

25:03 Too much schoolwork impacting soccer

27:17 Encouraging your son or daughter to stay motivated

29:56 Advice for watching video highlights of games

32:18 Playing multiple sports alongside soccer

39:24 Playing many positions, is it helpful?

40:43 Tips and advice for taking free-kicks

46:14 Screaming coach - what do we do?

49:55 How can parents learn more about the game?

In this special holiday episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts engage in a lively Q&A session, discussing their favorite soccer teams, standout memories as fans, players, and coaches, and the lessons learned from red cards.

They also share their personal experiences and insights related to football, their idols, memorable matches, and their experiences living in America.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Holiday Special

03:00 Favorite Teams and Support Stories

06:10 Standout Memories as Fans, Players, and Coaches

09:04 Red Cards and Lessons Learned

12:01 Living in LA vs. Missing England

17:56 A Humorous Encounter

18:16 Football Idols and Inspirations

22:10 Memorable Matches and Historical Moments

27:44 Experiences of Living in America

30:51 Advice for Young Players

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts delve into the escalating costs associated with soccer, focusing on World Cup ticket prices and the financial landscape of youth soccer in America.

Chapters

00:00 The Rising Costs of World Cup Tickets

09:58 Understanding Youth Soccer Costs

18:05 The Value of Service in Youth Soccer

21:20 Growth vs. Local Competition

23:33 The Influence of Money: Private Equity in Youth Sports

25:49 Balancing Cost and Commitment in Youth Soccer

28:05 Navigating Parent-Coach Relationships

32:40 Empowering Parents through Knowledge

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts delve into the emotional aspects of football, discussing how emotions can impact players, coaches, and parents alike, touching on the relevance of the Mo Salah situation at Liverpool.

They explore the importance of harnessing emotions positively, the challenges of emotional control, and the role of parents on the sidelines. The conversation also touches on the significance of self-reflection for coaches and players, as well as practical advice for youth players on managing their emotions during games.

Chapters

00:00 Mo Salah Liverpool Situation

05:14 Harnessing Emotions Positively

09:05 The Consequences of Losing Control

13:19 Advice for Youth Players on Emotions

20:55 The Role of Parents in Youth Football

23:49 Navigating Sideline Emotions

31:30 Coaching Through Parental Emotions

32:05 Navigating Parental Emotions in Youth Sports

34:50 Impact of Positive Energy from Coaches & Parents

39:04 Coaching Emotions During and After Games

43:00 The Importance of Self-Reflection for Coaches

49:06 Advice for Players on Positioning and Free Kicks

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts delve into the theme of rejection, exploring personal experiences and the broader implications for young players.

They discuss how rejection can serve as a powerful motivator, the importance of reframing rejection as redirection, and the role of parents and coaches in supporting young athletes.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Rejection in Soccer

02:59 Personal Experiences of Rejection

05:55 The Impact of Rejection on Young Players

08:52 Reframing Rejection as Redirection

12:08 The Role of Parents and Coaches

14:58 Finding Your Tribe in Soccer

18:01 Turning Rejection into Motivation

20:47 Navigating Tests and Obstacles in Soccer

28:43 Navigating Rejection in Youth Sports

30:51 The Role of Coaches in Mental Support

32:22 Delivering Tough Messages to Young Athletes

34:03 Advice for Parents on Handling Rejection

36:02 Encouraging Self-Reflection in Young Athletes

39:45 Reframing Rejection as a Learning Opportunity

45:20 The Importance of Analyzing Game Footage

47:41 Balancing Multiple Sports vs. Specialization

54:47 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts discuss the current state of referees and parent/coach sideline behavior in the youth game.

Much of the conversation centers around the importance of communication between referees, coaches, players, and parents to improve the overall experience for everyone involved.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Youth Soccer Podcast

00:23 Current State of Referees and Parent Behavior

03:04 Communication: The Key to Improvement

08:55 Setting the Tone: Coaches and Players

19:31 Responsibility and Development in Youth Soccer

22:03 The Role of Parents in Youth Soccer

25:59 Addressing Referee Decisions and Player Safety

28:28 Understanding Different Perspectives

28:40 The Importance of Player Safety

30:29 Refereeing and Game Flow

32:32 Frustrations with Refereeing

34:59 Navigating Parental Involvement

37:41 Evaluating Opportunities in Europe

38:54 Realities of Youth Soccer Pathways

40:24 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts discuss player positions, emphasizing the skills and attributes necessary for each position.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing academics with soccer development, emphasizing the need for time management and commitment in youth players.

Chapters

00:00 International Break Insights

06:11 The Evolution of Goalkeeping

12:23 Fullbacks: The Modern Defender

18:47 Centre Backs: The Backbone of Defense

25:05 Defensive Midfield: Crucial Role

32:00 The Role of the Box-to-Box Midfielder

35:28 The Creative Force: The Number 10

38:41 The Evolution of Wingers: Inverted vs Traditional

43:47 The Striker's Role: Scoring Goals and More

47:35 Balancing Academics and Soccer Development

53:19 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts discuss the impact of different playing styles on youth soccer development, focusing on the contrast between tiki-taka and long ball strategies.

They emphasize the importance of fundamentals, adaptability in coaching, and the balance between technical skills and physicality.

Chapters

00:00 Playing Styles in Youth Soccer

02:55 The Importance of Fundamentals

05:57 Coaching Philosophy and Adaptability

09:14 The Role of Strength and Size in Soccer

11:52 Winning vs. Development in Youth Soccer

15:06 Creating a Winning Environment

18:08 The Evolution of Coaching Styles

21:07 Understanding the Game's Fluidity

24:04 Balance of Technical Skills & Physicality

27:01 Engaging Parents in Youth Soccer

30:01 The Future of Soccer Coaching

33:44 Essence of Entertainment in Soccer

35:39 Coaching Styles and Player Capabilities

36:45 The Debate on Football Nations

39:40 Evolution of English Football

42:53 The Role of Parents in Youth Soccer

47:53 Preparing for Tryouts

55:20 The Value of Private Training

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, the hosts discuss various aspects of player development, emphasizing the importance of psychological resilience, fitness, and the role of team training.

They explore the Four Corners Model of development, which includes technical, tactical, physical, and psychological elements.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Player Development

02:57 The Importance of Psychological Resilience

06:00 Navigating Challenges in Training

09:14 The Role of Attitude in Player Growth

12:01 Fitness and Running Techniques

14:53 The Shift in Training Emphasis

18:00 Pain and Performance

21:08 Team Training Dynamics

24:03 Creating a Professional Training Environment

30:02 The Importance of Intensity in Training

34:06 Creating a Competitive Environment in Youth Soccer

35:26 The Value of Street Soccer and Self-Directed Play

39:33 Understanding Positional Play and Development

45:06 The Unique Development Process in Soccer

53:44 Navigating High School Soccer Seasons

57:12 The Role of Sleep and Recovery in Performance

In this episode, Ricky, Paul, and Phil dive into the divisive topic of winning in youth soccer. 

They discuss the balance between prioritizing winning and focusing on player development, the role of coaches and parents, and the impact of club hopping on player growth. 

The conversation also touches on the business side of club soccer and the importance of teaching young players about the realities of competitive sports.

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00:00 The Importance of Winning in Youth Soccer

03:33 Balancing Winning and Development

08:07 The Role of Coaches in Prioritizing Winning

11:13 Parental Influence on Winning and Team Dynamics

16:10 The Consequences of Team Hopping

17:46 The Business of Youth Sports and Player Development

20:42 Coaching Responsibilities and Player Stagnation

23:43 Winning vs. Development: A Balancing Act

27:14 Understanding the Stakes: Livelihoods & Performance

31:31 Parental Perspectives: Questions and Insights

In this episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, Paul Spacey, Ricky Collett, and Phil Walsh delve into the critical topic of player mentality in youth soccer.

They explore the importance of resilience, the impact of environment on player development, and the cultural differences in soccer mentality.

The conversation highlights the transition from recreational to club soccer, the need for a unified approach in coaching, and the significance of experiencing hardship to build resilience.

The hosts also discuss actionable tips for players and parents to foster a strong mindset and resilience, emphasizing the life lessons learned through soccer that extend beyond the field.

00:00 Introduction to Youth Soccer Podcast

02:19 Resilience in Youth Soccer

05:07 The Role of Environment in Building Resilience

07:51 Transition from Rec to Club Soccer

10:29 Cultural Differences in Soccer Mentality

13:31 The Importance of Experience in Developing Resilience

16:23 Balancing Coaching and Player Support

18:51 Understanding Individual Player Needs

21:51 The Journey of Self-Discovery through Soccer

27:13 The Importance of Connection in Team Dynamics

30:37 Emotional Maturity on the Field

32:34 Understanding Limitations Through Sport

34:20 Commitment and Details at Higher Levels

35:47 The Transfer of Skills from Football to Life

37:10 Lessons from Early Experiences in Football

39:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Life

40:33 The Blend of Old and New School Values

42:17 Actionable Tips for Building Resilience

45:17 Proactivity vs. Reactivity in Performance

46:36 Finding Your Unique Contribution to the Game