Lee shares candid stories from his experiences at top academies, including how his early coaching education taught him valuable lessons about creating nurturing environments for young players.

Drawing from both successes and mistakes, he discusses the importance of combining patient development with data-driven decision-making while emphasizing the human side of coaching.

Whether it's setting up development centers in rival territories or presenting to Premier League executives, Lee's authentic approach and commitment to understanding how young players learn offer practical wisdom for coaches at every level.

This episode is packed with actionable insights about talent identification, age-appropriate coaching, and the critical balance between development and performance in youth soccer.

Be sure to connect with Ben at:

https://www.instagram.com/bmfootballcoach

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You can click this link to purchase Paul's book, The Soccer Sessions Book

(This is not an affiliate link).

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To get my best coaching tips and practice recommendations, subscribe to my free weekly Global Soccer Education newsletter.

Connect with Ian at:

https://www.ianmcclurg.com

https://twitter.com/ianlearnperform

https://www.instagram.com/ian_mcclurg_learn_perform_/

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Natalie shares her experiences of beginning as a coach while still playing in her early teens. She also explains how he progressed from shadowing centre of excellence coaches to now be coaching with England Women's U16 squad.

To follow Natalie's progress you can connect with her on the following social media profiles:

Instagram: @nhendersoncoaching

Twitter: @nhenderson20 

Natalie has released a book that she talks about in the episode. You can get more details on her book, PadlockPad here:

https://padlockpad.com 

Instagram: @PadlockPad

Enjoy the show

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Perry is the Founder of Pezzaz Street Soccer and a pre-Academy coach at Southampton Football Club

Having started his career coaching career as a Football in the Community Coach at Southampton Football Club, he shares his journey towards creating his own street soccer program.

Perry explains how he became curious about an individualized focus to coaching and how he taught himself about skill development.

In this episode you will learn 3 important things…

1, What makes community coaching the best way to develop adaptability,

2, How to utilise street soccer principles your coaching sessions,

and…

3, Why volunteering to learn your trade puts you ahead of the competition.

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast player to help more people find out about the show.

To learn more about Perry and his coaching programs, you can connect with him here:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/pjcsoccer?lang=en

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/pezzaz_street_soccer?igshid=1i4um98w3ez5n

https://instagram.com/perrycocking?igshid=c5rv9etzc6ld

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pezzazfootballacademy/

iTunes Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inner-huddle-football-soccer-development-podcast-for/id1351231007

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To get my best coaching tips and practice recommendations, subscribe to my free weekly Global Soccer Education newsletter.

Perry is the Founder of Pezzaz Street Soccer and a pre-Academy coach at Southampton Football Club

Having started his career coaching career as a Football in the Community Coach at Southampton Football Club, he shares his journey towards creating his own street soccer program.

Perry explains how he became curious about an individualized focus to coaching and how he taught himself about skill development.

In this episode you will learn 3 important things…

1.What are the benefits of recreating street soccer,

2.Why a long term approach to individualized coaching can help players maximize their potential

and…

3.How to prevent your players experiencing performance anxiety,

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

To learn more about Perry and his coaching programs, you can connect with him here:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/pjcsoccer?lang=en

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/pezzaz_street_soccer?igshid=1i4um98w3ez5n

https://instagram.com/perrycocking?igshid=c5rv9etzc6ld

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pezzazfootballacademy/

iTunes Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inner-huddle-football-soccer-development-podcast-for/id1351231007

------------------

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They continue the interview talking about non-league management and levelling up in Dan's second season in charge of the club.

Dan explains how a chance meeting led him to connect with the British Virgin Islands FA and deliver some coaching to the Islands players.

Through that he progressed to assist with the National Team coaching before taking the national Technical Director position.

Now he is tasked with developing the entire infrastructure of football development across the country as the BVI national team prepare for a World Cup qualifying campaign.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. What are the key aspects of developing a national program, building up from grassroots
2. Why it’s important to not assume things of your players
3. How to measure team performance by looking beyond match results

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Dan is the Technical Director and National Team Assistant Coach for the British Virgin Islands Football Association.

Having started his career coaching in the Centre of Excellence at AFC Bournemouth, he shares the lessons he learned since the start of his journey.

Dan explains how community coaching, non league management and starting his own coaching business has assisted his path to national team coaching.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. What are your responsibilities when coaching young players
2. Why it’s important to understand and utilize your own coaching strengths
3. How to say 'yes' to opportunities and then learn while doing the job

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Mike has gained extensive grassroots youth coaching experience with Portsmouth FC. He has also coached in elite youth environments with AFC Bournemouth and Fulham FC.

To help his objective of completing his formal soccer qualifications, Mike took a coaching position with the non-league club, Carshalton Athletic FC.

He eventually took a role with the national FA where he was tasked with modernising the grassroots game. This lead him to work in a development role with a regional county football association.

As part of his long term ambition in the industry, he enrolled on the prestigious Sporting Directorship program at Manchester Met University.

You’ll learn these 3 things in this episode:

1. What are the challenges of managing a coaching department.
2. How coaching roles can lead you to full time jobs in soccer development.
3. Where you can find learning opportunities away from formal coaching qualifications.

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Andy is the Football Development Manager at Southampton Football Club and also delivers coaching courses for the English Football Association.

Having spent his entire career working for Southampton, Andy shares how his coaching methodology has evolved during his time with the Saints.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. What topics you should avoid when coaching foundation aged players.
2. Which fundamental principles will remain important throughout your coaching career.
3. Why in your coaching session it’s essential to coach the 'player' and not the 'practice'.

Enjoy the show!

PS. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Darren was the Head of the Junior Academy & Schools Programme at the City Academy before progressing into the full time role of Lead Youth Development Phase Coach.

After 11 years at the club, Darren saw a number of his Junior Academy recruits successfully earn professional contracts. At that point he felt a he needed a new challenge.

Continuing his habit of pushing the boundaries of his own personal and professional development, he accepted a coaching position in Shanghai.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The essential characteristics Darren needed to progress into full time coaching
2. The value of seeking the advice of experts from outside soccer
3. How coaching in China challenges everything you think you know about both soccer and life

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Tony spent over 40 years at West Ham United as Youth Team Coach, Reserve Team Manager and Academy Director. He was pivotal in the development of England internationals Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole.

In this interview he shares his coaching journey from grassroots coaching in schools to being mentored by Ron Greenwood, a future England manager.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

Why teaching technical detail is essential to the development of elite youth players

The coaching principles Tony implemented that helped shape the West Ham’s famous youth academy

How studying successful teams can expand your tactical understanding and

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

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Tom is the Lead Domestic and European Scout at Norwich City FC and previously worked at Burnley FC as an Academy Scout.

Having made the switch from grassroots coaching to professional scouting, Tom shares the challenges he experienced in his journey from youth soccer to working in the senior game.

Here are 3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why being adaptable can help you get noticed in your soccer career
2. How to structure soccer coaching programs in order to be competitive against bigger clubs
3. The importance of learning from people who have walked your path before you

Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on your favourite podcast platform to help more people find out about the show.

------------------

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A weekly show where grassroots and professional soccer coaches from around the world share soccer coaching tips, careers advice and industry insights.

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To get my best coaching tips and practice recommendations, subscribe to my free weekly Global Soccer Education newsletter.