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PODCAST

Chat By The Pitch

Chat By The Pitch is a youth soccer podcast focused on player development, coaching culture, and the family experience in the modern game. Hosted by Ian Babcock, the show connects parents, coaches, and club leaders with local, national, and global voices shaping youth soccer today. Each episode dives into the real decisions families face—team selection, development pathways, mental performance, coaching environments, and the gear and tools that support long-term growth. The conversations are honest,

sports soccer

All Episodes

33:37

At Ulete & PFA – Why Futsal Changes Everything

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/04/16

In Part 2, the focus shifts to how players are actually developed with futsal.Pablo Da Silva breaks down futsal—what it really is, why it matters, and how it translates directly to the outdoor game.From faster decision-making to total field awareness, this is where development becomes real.If you want to understand why some players just see the game differently, this episode explains it.⚽ Key Talking PointsWhy futsal is critical for developmentDifferences between real futsal and “fake futsal”Speed

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43:56

From Vision to Reality – Ulete Sports

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/04/09

What does real player development actually look like?In Part 1, Ian sits down with John Davis and Pablo Da Silva from Ulete Sports to break down what they’re building—and why it’s different.This conversation dives into culture, community, and creating an environment where players can actually grow. Not just win games—but develop long-term.From multi-sport training to setting boundaries with parents, this is a real look at what youth soccer should start becoming.⚽ Key Talking PointsThe vision behind

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50:43

Alpha Forms Residency With Erin Medina – Inside the...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/04/02

What does a full day in a soccer residency program actually look like—and how is it different from the traditional youth soccer model?In Part 2 of this conversation, Ian Babcock and Erin Medina go deeper into Alpha Forms Residency, breaking down the daily schedule, training structure, and how education is integrated into player development.They cover everything from strength and conditioning, recovery, and individualized learning, to how families should evaluate if this type of environment is the

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37:23

Alpha Forms Residency with Erin Medina – Rethinking...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/03/26

What does real player development actually look like—and why are so many systems missing it?In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock sits down with Erin Medina, COO of Forms Residency and Forms Academy, to break down a completely different approach to youth soccer development.From her journey through the Canadian national team to building one of the largest youth clubs in the country, Erin shares what she’s learned about development, structure, and what kids actually need to succeed.They

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01:07:24

Gordon Jago – Why Dallas Cup Matters (Rereleased)

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/03/19

With the Dallas Cup just weeks away, this episode hits a little different.This is a tribute to Gordon Jago—a true pioneer of the game and one of the key figures behind what the Dallas Cup has become today.From his journey as a player and coach to helping build one of the most respected youth tournaments in the world, Gordon shares what the game is really about—community, standards, and bringing people together.If you’ve ever been part of Dallas Cup—or you’re about to experience it—this conversation

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54:01

Soccer for Success Part 2 | Expanding the Model

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/03/12

In Part 2 of Soccer for Success, we go deeper.This conversation moves beyond curriculum and into implementation — how Dallas ISD built a no-cost, district-wide pathway from elementary Spark programs to middle school leagues and high school UIL competition.We break down how Spark works (grades 2–6), how competitive soccer is introduced the right way, and how over 50 elementary schools are now participating in structured play.If you’re a parent wondering how to advocate for better sports access…If

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48:56

Soccer for Success in Dallas ISD | Building...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/03/05

Soccer for Success is reshaping how youth soccer development happens inside school systems.In this episode, leaders from Dallas ISD and the US Soccer Foundation break down how a 10-lesson, standards-aligned curriculum is equipping PE teachers, training coaches, and reaching nearly 50,000 students across Dallas.We talk about why small-sided games matter, how physical activity impacts academic performance, and how this partnership is extending beyond the classroom into after-school programs, recess,

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01:03:00

Ballers ID: Invest in the Player, Not the Hype With...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/26

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, I sit down with Gregg Megaw, founder of Ballers ID, to talk about investing in the full player — not the hype.We break down individual development, 1v1 training, decision-making, culture, confidence, and why true growth takes time. Gregg explains why small group training often beats early private sessions, why standards matter more than shortcuts, and how parents should think about development as a long-term investment.If you’re a soccer parent navigating the

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34:13

Seeing the Next Level Changes Everything

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/19

Seeing the Next Level Changes EverythingIn Part 2 of this conversation, Ian and Jonathan dig deeper into exposure, access, and perspective in youth sports.Jonathan explains why seeing the next level in person — middle school, college, or professional — can motivate kids without pressure, while also giving parents a clearer understanding of what elite performance actually looks like. They unpack the financial realities of club sports, travel, and training, and why “free” programs still come with

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37:48

Healthy Sports Parents: Why Most Kids Quit Before...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/12

In Part 1 of this conversation, Ian sits down with Jonathan Corone, creator of Healthy Sports Parents, to unpack the emotional, cultural, and behavioral challenges parents face in youth sports.Jonathan shares how his own daughter’s experience — and a moment on the sidelines watching a parent lose control — sparked a platform focused on helping parents do better without shame or blame. Together, they explore why parents react the way they do, how outcome obsession sneaks in early, and why most kids

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45:01

Human First, Athlete Second: Development Over Scores...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/05

In this solo episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock reflects on years of learning as a soccer parent, coach, and constant student of the game. This episode challenges the obsession with early results and reframes success around development, environment, communication, and joy.Ian explores what youth soccer is getting right, where it’s falling short, and what parents, coaches, and clubs can do—starting today—to create healthier, more sustainable experiences for young athletes. This conversation is

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44:03

John O’Sullivan on Parenting Without Pressure in Sports

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/29

In Part 2 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan dives deeper into the realities of pressure, anxiety, early specialization, and the myths that continue to shape youth sports in unhealthy ways.We unpack why the so-called 10,000-hour rule doesn’t hold up, why development is never linear, and why mentality, enjoyment, and resilience matter more than chasing outcomes at young ages. John also shares powerful insights for parents on how to support their kids without adding pressure — and why nervousness

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38:17

Let the Journey Belong to the Kid: John O’Sullivan on...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/22

In Part 1 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly drives healthy development in youth sports.John shares his journey from long-time soccer coach to founder of Change the Game Project, explaining why burnout, fear-based coaching, and adult agendas continue to derail young athletes. We dive into culture, joy, intrinsic motivation, and why relationships — not tactics — are the foundation of sustainable success.This episode is essential listening for

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51:52

Inside Salient Touch FA: Session Design & Player...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/15

In Part 2, Ian Babcock continues the conversation with Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez, founders of Salient Touch Football Academy, diving deep into how real development is executed day to day.This episode breaks down session design, open enrollment, punch cards vs. consistency, defending development, and Salient Touch’s ability-based leveling system. Dominique and Antonio explain why age alone is a poor indicator of readiness, how players are evaluated during trial sessions, and why holding firm

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55:07

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/08

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin StoryIn Part 1 of this conversation, Ian Babcock sits down with Salient Touch Football Academy founders Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez to unpack how Salient Touch was built—from a bumpy public field to a multi-location technical training program serving hundreds of players each week.This episode dives into identity, first touch, emotional intelligence in coaching, and why individual development is often misunderstood in modern youth

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45:58

Ted Kroeten: The Future of U.S. Soccer Through Joy of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/01

In Part 2, Ted Kroeten goes deeper into the mechanics of free play, why traditional training misreads how kids actually learn, and how small-sided chaos builds problem-solvers, communicators, and creators. From one-v-one misconceptions to futsal culture, mixed-age environments, and why American kids rarely get “underload” time, Ted explains what the U.S. must rethink to compete globally.He also breaks down what parents can actually do to bring joy and development back into their child’s soccer life

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42:31

Born to Play: Ted Kroeten on Free Play, Language, and...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/25

Joy of the People founder and longtime coach Ted Kroeten joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly develops creative, intelligent players — and why most of the U.S. youth soccer system gets it upside down. Ted’s “soccer as a language” philosophy reframes how kids learn, why free play must come before instruction, and how mixed-age, low-pressure environments cultivate game intelligence no coach can teach.From the failures of super clubs and the youth sports industrial complex to Joy of the

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38:54

From Spain to an ACL Tear: The Turning Point in...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/18

In Part 2, Kassandra Ruelas takes us deeper into her journey — from rediscovering her love for the game under Coach Temas, to the fate-driven path that led her to Vial/Villarreal, to leaving home for Spain as a teenager. She shares what life, training, and tempo looked like overseas, how Spanish clubs develop players through structure and intelligence, and what it felt like to finally find her rhythm abroad.This episode also uncovers the hardest chapter of her career: tearing her ACL overseas,

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49:03

Growing Up in North Texas Soccer: The Journey of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/11

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian sits down with North Texas player and administrator Kassandra Ruelas to unpack what it really looks like to grow up inside one of the most competitive girls’ soccer markets in the country. From yelling “goal” as her first word to playing with the boys and eventually earning a chance to play in Spain, Kassandra’s story is a masterclass in soccer IQ, resilience, and family support. Kassandra talks about the pressure of DFW girls’ soccer, the unspoken politics

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01:06:35

Tom Byer on Ball Mastery, Parents, and Player...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/04

World-renowned development leader Tom Byer joins the show to break down where real soccer development truly begins — inside the home. Tom explains how early touches, simple routines, and parent involvement build confidence, coordination, and long-term potential. We explore culture, neuroscience, at-home training, and why the U.S. continues to struggle with building a true development identity.This episode gives parents, coaches, and clubs practical steps to build a stronger foundation for young

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169 results

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