Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Visit the link below to learn more:
https://impressiveplayai.com/

Contact Sam at: [email protected]

One of the biggest challenges in coaching today isn’t effort — it’s clarity.

Most coaches are still relying on the “eye test”… trying to watch the game, track performance, and make decisions all at the same time. And the reality is, we miss things. Important things.

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, I sit down with Sam Sackett, founder of Impressive Play, to explore how voice AI is changing the way coaches capture and understand the game.

No video setup. No complicated systems. Just your voice — and the ability to track what actually happens in real time.

We get into:

Why the “eye test” is holding coaches back
The gap between subjective and objective coaching
How to track the “how” behind performance, not just the outcome
What this means for player development, feedback, and trust with families
How coaches can use data without losing the feel of the game

This is a fascinating conversation on where coaching is heading — and what it means for anyone working in the youth or elite game.

A big thank you to Sam and Impressive Play for supporting this episode.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments — would you use this in your coaching?

#ModernSoccerCoach #SoccerCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachingEducation

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This is one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast.

Saul Isaksson-Hurst joins Gary Curneen to break down the reality of individual development in today’s game—and why so many players are plateauing despite working harder than ever.

We get into the biggest misconceptions in coaching right now, including the idea that practice makes perfect, the over-reliance on game-based training, and the growing tension between club environments and individual training.

Saul shares how elite players actually develop their technical level, why 20 minutes of focused work can outperform hours of unfocused training, and why coaches must find a better balance between opposed and unopposed work.

We also dive into the explosion of individual coaching, the lack of quality control in the space, and why there is still a major gap in coach education when it comes to developing players on the ball.

If you care about player development, this episode will challenge how you think about training.

A huge thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting the podcast. Their journals are designed to help coaches and players plan, reflect, and track development with real intention across the season. Check them out and use the code for a discount.

Check out MSC online courses here:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/analysis

In this episode, Martyn Bowles (Academy Manager at Walsall FC) sits down with Gary Curneen and breaks down what actually drives improvement inside elite environments. This isn’t about licenses or qualifications. It’s about self-awareness, authenticity, and building systems that truly develop people.

We dive into:

Why traditional coach education is outdated
The role of self-awareness in performance
How environment shapes coach identity
Why connection must come before feedback
A unique peer mentoring system pairing “opposites”
The challenge of building trust in high-performance environments

This is a must-watch for any coach serious about improving—not just collecting badges.

A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting the podcast. Their journals are designed to help coaches and players plan, reflect, and stay intentional throughout the season. If you’ve ever questioned whether your sessions are really landing, their tools are a great way to bring more structure and reflection into your environment.

You can check them out at zone14coaching.com and use the code ModernSoccer20 for 20% off your first order.

Check Out MSC High School Course Here:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/challenge-page/46214942-e036-4f32-afa6-8383d4608e2d

Check Out Zone14:
https://zone14coaching.com/

This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast.

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with Joop Oosterveld, transition coach at BK Häcken and former PSV coach, to break down what it actually takes to prepare players for the highest level of the game.

We get into why most training environments are too easy, how underloaded pressing (3v7, 4v6) can accelerate development, and why the best players often stop improving if they are not constantly stretched and challenged. Joop shares insights from his time in Holland, Sweden, and learning from environments like Liverpool, giving a clear picture of what elite player development really looks like.

This is a must-watch for any coach serious about developing players who can perform at the highest level.

A big thank you to Zone 14 for supporting the podcast. Their coach and player journals are built around intentional development, helping coaches plan, reflect, and stay organized while giving players a structure to take ownership of their progress. If you are serious about improving your environment on and off the pitch, check them out and use the code modernsoccer20 for 20% off.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share with another coach.

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Most teams say the same thing: “We just need someone to score goals.”
But what if the problem isn’t the player… it’s the understanding of the position?

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with JP Owens (Ireland U17 Women’s National Team Performance Analyst & Shelbourne First Team) to break down the detail behind elite centre forward play. From movement in relation to teammates, to how the best strikers dictate passes rather than wait for service, this is one of the most in-depth conversations we’ve had on the #9 role.

We dive into:

Why most forwards struggle to impact games
The relationship between the passer and the striker
How elite forwards “plot” movements before the ball arrives
Practical ways to coach striker movement inside team sessions
How to build a culture of player-led development using video and feedback

If you coach or work with forwards, this will completely change how you see the position.

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