n this episode of Inside The Game, we continue our spring coaching journey by taking a deeper look at switching the play—not just from a tactical angle, but through the emotional lens of player confidence. We discuss how anxiety can impact decision-making on the field and why supporting the mental well-being of athletes is just as important as developing their technical skills.

Our guest, Sean Datson, brings valuable insight into how coaches can recognize performance anxiety, create emotionally safe environments, and build trust within their teams. We explore practical strategies for helping players stay composed under pressure and how the core value of Respect plays a key role in creating a positive, supportive team culture.

If you're looking to grow your players' confidence while reinforcing key curriculum topics, this episode offers both on-field advice and off-field perspective to elevate your coaching. Tune in and learn how to lead with empathy, build trust, and coach the whole player.

In this episode of Inside The Game, we build on our spring coaching curriculum by focusing on switching the play—a vital strategy for breaking down organized defenses. We explore how scanning and pre-reception awareness help players identify opportunities, make quicker decisions, and execute effective switches under pressure. You’ll hear practical coaching advice on body positioning, passing technique, and communication cues that bring the concept to life on the field.

Our guest, Sam Nellis, shares his perspective on how scanning transforms a player’s understanding of the game and how coaches can nurture that skill in training sessions. We also tie in the core value of Teamwork, showing how switching the play relies on trust, movement, and support from every player on the field.

Whether you're looking for session ideas or game-day coaching tips, this episode is packed with insight to help your players grow both technically and mentally. Tune in and let’s keep developing smarter, more connected teams.

This week on Inside the Game, we break down the key principles of defending, from delaying and denying to organizing as a unit—and how these skills come to life when players are allowed to figure it out for themselves. We also explore how Free Play helps shape smarter, more adaptable defenders. While defending is often taught through structure, it’s the unstructured moments—pick-up games, street soccer, small-sided battles—where players develop decision-making, communication, and a deeper sense of the game.

Our guest, Jaylin Finney, Asst. Teams Director in Texas, joins us to share her personal experience with free play as a player and how she uses it now to build confident, committed defenders. Jaylin also talks about balancing structure with creativity, and why Commitment—this week’s core value—is essential to becoming a great defender.

Packed with practical insights and real-world examples, this episode is a must for coaches looking to develop defenders who lead, talk, and take pride in their role.

Hit play, take notes, and let’s step Inside the Game.

In this episode of Inside The Game, part of the SSCS Podcast – Spring 2025, we dive into the curriculum topic of defending, one of the most crucial yet often overlooked areas in youth soccer development. We also highlight this week’s core value, integrity, and how it plays a key role in building trust, accountability, and discipline within a defensive unit. To wrap it all together, we’re joined by Jeremy McManus, Teams Director at Steel United Hudson Valley, who shares insights on how to effectively include goalkeepers in team training sessions.

We explore key defensive principles like compactness, delaying attacks, and transitioning quickly, while showing how integrity guides communication and decision-making in high-pressure moments. Goalkeepers are spotlighted as essential contributors to defensive organization, not just as shot-stoppers but as leaders on the field. Jeremy shares simple, effective ways to integrate goalkeepers into team sessions and build trust between them and the back line.

Tune in and step Inside The Game.

In this episode of Inside The Game, we explore the importance of being organized—a fundamental skill that enhances both coaching effectiveness and player performance. We’ll break down how organization plays a key role in executing breaking lines, helping teams progress the ball through defensive structures with precision and intent. Plus, we’ll connect this tactical concept to our core value of the week: respect, highlighting how trust and discipline impact success on the field.

Special guest Dakota Carroll, Technical Director at Steel United Pennsylvania, joins us to discuss how coaches can stay organized before, during, and after training sessions. Dakota shares practical strategies for planning effective sessions, keeping players engaged, and ensuring that organization translates into structured, high-level play.

Whether you're a coach looking to refine your session structure or a player aiming to improve your tactical awareness, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in and step Inside The Game!