Improving Player Engagement and Challenging Coach Behaviors at Youth Level with Jack Rolfe

Check out Jack's Game Changer online course below - https://thecoachinglab.org/pages/game-changer-2025-online-sports-coaching-course Gary is joined by Jack Rolfe, founder of The Coaching Lab, to discuss ways that coaches can improve and challenge some traditional behaviors during training session. Jack has worked extensively with coaches around the world to improve training environments and maximize enjoyment levels of the players. In this interview, he also shares ideas on how coaches can grow and build effective habits to help sustain a career in coaching.

Gary is joined by Jack Winter, who most recently worked at Stanford University as an assistant coach, to discuss the current landscape of college soccer. In this interview, Jack gives his views on the following: - Impact on the Portal and NIL in the college game - How high transfer rates impact team culture - Why soccer programs should be compensated if players move to advance their careers - The 'transactional' nature of college recruitment - Experience working with Jeremy Gunn And much more!

On the recent Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we spoke to Dr. Konstantin Sonkin about the role of neuro training in the world of elite player development. Dr. Sonkin is a DeepTech entrepreneur with a blend of business acumen and technical expertise in Neuroscience and AI. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of i-BrainTech, a SportsTech company that is leveraging the power of applied science and neuro training to radically enhance cognitive functioning, unlock human potential, and solve real-world issues. Some of the clubs they work with include: Benfica, Juventus, Philadelphia Union, Leganes. They also won the 2023 Innovation of the Year Award for their collaboration with Juventus. In this episode, Dr. Sonkin joins MSC to discuss their progress in cognitive training and how it is positioned in the marketplace for coaches. Find more information below: https://www.i-brain.tech/

Coaches: You can read Jake's full article here: https://theraumdeuter.sport.blog/2024/12/14/boxed-in-how-the-thirds-of-play-impact-creativity-in-football-development/ Gary is joined by former Premier League Academy Coach, Jake Pickles, to discuss and challenge a common approach to possession football: the thirds model. Jake believes that, rather than educating players on the tactical principles of the game, it limits creativity and individualism. What are your thoughts? Please let us know!

In this episode we visit ACF Fiorentina in Italy to talk to Mirko Mazzantini (ACF Fiorentina Technical Director U8–U15) who discusses the youth methodology at the club. It's a fascinating insight into structure vs. freedom, development vs. winning, and even how coach compensation is structured within the academy. The St Mary’s University Performance Football Coaching master’s is a unique opportunity to learn from world renowned academics and industry experts, whilst making significant strides to develop your career and bolster your knowledge of coaching theories. https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching Their course content has been tailored to reflect the diverse football coaching environments across the world. We have worked with industry experts, alumni, and designated football partners, who have contributed to module design that ensures you are always gaining industry relevant knowledge. Our students are coaching across the world, from Mexico City, Iceland, India and the United States, in roles including senior international first team analysts; academy managers; senior first team managers, heads of department and coach educators, all armed with the knowledge they have developed on the course. Students will need to have achieved the UEFA B, USSF B or equivalent coaching qualification from your home country to apply, as well as having either a relevant undergraduate degree OR significant football experience as a player or coach should you not have completed a degree prior to enrolling. Places are open for September 2025 now and you have the whole summer to submit your interest, with those meeting the entry criteria eligible to apply right up until September 1st. If you would like to know more, they have a series of online information webinars coming up over the next few months which will provide you with even more detail about finance, module content and further details of how to apply. To register for these webinars, book a meeting with our course lead or to download our course brochure, just visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn or X. https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching

Gary was recently joined by former Al Ettifaq FC 1st Team Lead Analyst, Raymond Shearwood. Before his role on Steven Gerrard's staff at Al Ettifaq, Raymond spent nine years at Liverpool coaching and working from the starting age groups to the Under 21's. In this interview, Raymond shares unique insights on what made that Liverpool culture so special and how they blended football development with leadership and life skills. Raymond's journey itself is somewhat of a hybrid approach as he discusses the role of tactical analysis alongside coaching, as well as the decision behind his move to Saudi Arabia to work with Steven Gerrard.

Coaches: Register for MSC Set-Piece Webinar Below: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgy Gary is joined by former Sacramento Republic head coach Mark Biggs. Mark discusses the difference between the idealistic world of coaching and the realistic version. He shares insight around how he used data to drive the player profile at Sacramento, changing the culture, playing a 13 year old in a pro game and the importance of training intensity. As a USSF PRO License holder, Mark is just as passionate about coach development and gives a lot back to the next generation with some great advice on how to manage your own coaching career. Thank you for listening! Please 'leave a rating' or comment if you enjoy it!

Coaches: Register for our FREE MSC Set-Piece Webinar with Michele Aragona below: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgy This week, Gary is joined by Head of Coaching at Wellington Phoenix, Joshua Neff, to discuss the Director of Coaching role at youth and pro clubs. Joshua shares his experience at the New Zealand club of building out a methodology but also aligning it with a 'coaching culture' that is built around trust, honesty, passion for the game, and growth mindset. He discusses the unique environment at Wellington Phoenix and how the coaches work alongside one another to help the players and the club progress. Having also experienced MLS academies, Joshua has some some words of advice for coaches in the US who are working through the sometimes challenging role of a Director of Coaching and where you can get high quality professional support.

Don't miss our 4-2-3-1 Webinar on March 7th. Register Below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/msc-webinar-coaching-the-4-2-3-1-system-principles Last week there was a huge announcement in the world of youth soccer with the English FA confirming it as a game format next calendar year. So what does that mean for development? What will the landscape look like moving forward? How are coaches going to prepare for this? There is no one better equipped in world to talk about this topic than Peter Prickett. He has written extensively on this subject in his best-selling 3v3 Methodology books, as well as supporting coaches and working on the grass himself. In this week's MSC Podcast, we speak to Peter about the details of the announcement and look at ways that clubs and coaches can maximize this opportunity to make a difference in youth development.

Gary is joined by Mark Robinson to discuss the world of Elite Player Development and his role at Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon. Breaking into a first team at a Champions League club is no easy feat and Mark provides a unique insight into the weekly process of training and managing world class potential. He also provides ideas in coach development and discusses the innovative processes at AFC Wimbledon, including sending youth players to a game with no coach to drive independent decision makers!