United Soccer Grassroots Coaching Podcast

Mike Carroll - Texas, United States

In this episode I talk to Mike about the reasons why some clubs and coaches are still using an early selection model, using tryouts and cutting young players when we should be trying to develop as many as we can we look at what the long term affects are of this practice and why it needs to stop ASAP

We also discuss some different approaches we have both used and seen others instead of simply trying to select young players based on what we may perceive as talent at a young age

 

Topics Include

Tryouts

Early Selection

Talent ID

Alternatives and ways to be more inclusive

Yeliz Sherifali - Cambridge/Kitchener Ontario

Yeliz a Coach, Player and School Teacher talks candidly and at length with me about a whole host of ideas and topics related around Gender groupings. Something I am always looking to get more ideas about and find out what a female coaches perspective is on gender groups. We talk about different ways of grouping, different ages and stages for gender based groups, how we can be more flexible to more players needs, the upsides and downsides of different approaches and also how we may approach each group differently and how we might want to treat them exactly the same.

Brian Peggs - Saffron Walden, Essex, England

My latest podcast with Brian Peggs from Saffron Waldon Community FC in Essex England was recorded a while back and was another impromptu Zoom call that we decided to record at the last second and Im glad I did! Brian is one of the leaders and coaches at Saffron Walden which has a large girls contingent. They have some really unique ways of doing things, the clubs approach is refreshing, Brians ideas and knowledge he has gained from 12 years of coaching and a lifetime in the game were shared openly, A great chat worth the listen.

Rod Underwood - Seattle, Washington

Fantastic episode with Rod Underwood. I got to discuss Rods thoughts on grassroots soccer and his experiences coaching grassroots all the way up to coaching in the professional game and with National teams. Very interesting to hear what stays the same and whats changes as you progress through the levels of Soccer and what Rod feels is still so important fundamentally for young players. We also managed to get some discussion on cows and Caribbean cuisine for good measure.
Rod has coached with Portland Timbers (MLS) and head coaching roles with Cleveland City (USL), North East Stars (Jamaica), Mount Aureol (Sierra Leone), Montego Bay FC (Jamaica) where he led his team to CONCACAF Championship qualification, and most recently with Stumptown AC (NISA) in Charlotte

Joel Franco - Las Vegas, Nevada

Great Chat With Joel the Director Of Youth Sports The Film A Documentary In Development I Didn't Have A Clue Who I Was Going To Be Chatting With Prior To Starting This One And Was Not Expecting An Italian Coach Now Living In Vegas !!!! We Covered A Wide 
Do You Dream About Coaching Sessions?
Why Coaches Don't Like Giving Younger Players More Autonomy
Starting A Girls Team And How Its Different
Do Non USA Coaches Share More Info?
Will Things Change After Covid?

Pete Nowakowski - Sydney, Australia

A real eye opener for me in this chat from a great coach who is always sharing and helping the football coach community on Twitter. Pete is involved in coaching both Blind and Deaf National teams in Australia and we discuss his learning curve and the challenges he has had to adapt to with coaching these players. We also dive into how Grassroots Soccer operates in Australia and what highlight some of the good initiatives and discuss some fo the changes that could be made to improve grassroots for young players.

Ibra Toure - Maryland

A fantastic chat with fellow podcaster Ibra Toure for the Coaching Puzzle. In this episode I quiz and learn all about what Soccer in Ivory Coast is like from Grassroots to Pro Soccer. Ibra shared his experiences growing up in Ivory Coast playing soccer as a young boy and then his transition to the USA at age 13. We also delve into the difference between coaching boys and girls and Ibra shares some of his observations and advice on how to coach girls more effectively.

Hector Cano - Texas

Hector Cano former military man and current Ysleta High School Lady Indians Head Coach and Host of the 50/50 podcast shares his experiences and knowledge on a broad spectrum of topics from coaching grassroots, taking the National Youth Licence all the way to coaching High School & College.

3.00 Where Is El Paso?
4.30 The National Youth License
19.00 Street Soccer & Free Play
31.00 Why Don’t Some Make High School Teams
40.20 What Causes The Physical Style Of Play In High School & College
107.00 Are We Developing Enough Players
1.17 Coming Down To Young Players Level

Mutanda Kwesele - Seattle, Washington

In this episode I get to chat to Mutanda about Rising Point which is a soccer program he started back in Seattle to serve his community. It's a soccer program unlike what we are typically used to seeing and Mutanda has applied a unique approach to building and running this program. Mutanda breaks down how it got started, how he has collaborated with partners and what his vision for a different type of soccer program/club could be.

Michael Carroll - Texas

Been looking forward to picking Michael's brain for a while now, and this chat did't disappoint. In our 2 hour 10minute brief chat we examined a multitude of Grassroots topics and Michael breaks down his entire Grassroots model he has employed at the clubs he has led. So many ideas that you can learn from and implement at your club or team, Michael is one of the few people I have net so far that has a detailed plan and system that has proven to work in developing the skills and knowledge of young players. Don't miss this one