Shows
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeTommy Geis - How Coach Education Changed My LifeTommy Geis, Technical Director at Massachusetts Youth Soccer, joins us to explore why coach education transforms not just how we coach, but how we understand youth development itself. With over 40 years in the game, Tommy shares his journey from thinking he knew everything about soccer to discovering "how much he didn't know" through formal coach education. We discuss the critical difference between telling kids what to do versus helping them discover their own solutions, why coaches need to see the game through children's eyes rather than adult perspectives, and how to meet players where they are developmentally. Tommy walks...
2025-12-1844 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeStrategies for Better Player Feedback with Temisan Williams and Mike SmithIn this episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, Alf Gracombe engages in a deep conversation with coaches Temisan Williams and Mike Smith about the critical role of player feedback in youth development. They explore how cultural backgrounds influence feedback reception, the importance of individual coaching versus team coaching, and the necessity of specific, actionable feedback. The discussion also touches on the use of technology in coaching, the significance of player agency, and the evolving role of coaches in fostering a positive learning environment for young athletes.For more information about CoachCraft, visit https://coachcraft.info.
2025-12-0559 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeCaroline Foscato on Building Grassroots Soccer Unity in BostonCaroline Foscato, President and Founder of Soccer Unity Project, shares her journey from organizing neighborhood pickup games in Boston's South End in 2008 to building one of the city's most impactful youth soccer organizations, now serving over 1,400 young players. In this conversation, we explore how Soccer Unity Project prioritizes diversity and community-building over competitive outcomes, the real challenges of scaling a grassroots nonprofit in urban environments, and why the current youth soccer system needs fundamental rethinking. Caroline discusses the barriers that keep families and coaches from participating, the importance of meeting communities where they are, and why every decision in...
2025-11-161h 10
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeBen Weber on Advocating for Youth Sports: A Boston City Councilor's PerspectiveBoston City Councilor Ben Weber joins the show to discuss the intersection of youth sports and local politics. From coaching grassroots soccer to serving at City Hall, Ben shares insights on the resource disparities facing city athletes, the controversial White Stadium renovation and Legacy FC partnership, and why Boston's young athletes are underperforming despite the city's size and talent. We explore what it takes to advocate for youth sports infrastructure, how professional women's soccer could inspire the next generation, and practical ways coaches and parents can make their voices heard in local government. A timely conversation about community, investment...
2025-10-2458 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeChris Hoeh Remembers Dean ConwayIn this heartfelt episode, host Alf Gracombe honors the legacy of Dean Conway, a beloved mentor and coach who passed away earlier this year. Through conversations with Chris Hoeh, a long-time collaborator of Dean, the episode explores Dean's profound impact on youth sports, his coaching philosophy centered around fun and mastery, and the community he built through soccer. The discussion also delves into personal anecdotes that highlight Dean's character, his approach to coaching, and the lessons he imparted to those around him.For more information about CoachCraft, visit https://coachcraft.info.
2025-09-3038 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeNeil Harris - Person Before Player: 21 Years at Manchester United AcademyIn this conversation, Neil Harris shares his extensive coaching journey, transitioning from a player to a coach at Manchester United and eventually becoming self-employed. He discusses the importance of building trust with players and their families, the challenges faced in modern youth football, and the impact of professionalism on player development. Harris emphasizes the need for individualized coaching approaches and the significance of mentorship in shaping young players. He also reflects on the pressures of professional football and the importance of maintaining a love for the game.For more information about CoachCraft, visit https...
2025-09-121h 17
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeJoe Cummings Remembers Dean ConwayToday's conversation is with Joe Cummings, a longtime leader in American soccer who knew and worked with Dean Conway going back over 40 years. Joe's career has spanned coaching, education, and executive leadership roles throughout the soccer community. He served as CEO of United Soccer Coaches from 2009 to 2015, was Technical Director at the New England Revolution, and worked as President and General Manager of the Boston Breakers. But before all of that, Joe was a 7th grade teacher who met Dean in the 1980s when they were both helping to build the foundation of coach education in Massachusetts. Their friendship...
2025-07-1040 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeEdu Rubio - Premier League and UEFA Pro CoachIn this episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, host Alf Gracombe speaks with Edu Rubio, a UEFA Pro coach with nearly two decades of experience in English football. They discuss Edu's journey from youth coaching to the Premier League (Wolves and West Ham), the importance of authenticity in coaching, and the balance between player development and achieving results. Edu shares insights on creating a positive coaching environment, effective communication during games, and the critical role of halftime talks. The conversation also touches on the influence of a coach on team performance and the importance of self-awareness in coaching....
2025-06-061h 03
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeMeotis Erikson - Creating Better Journeys for Young Female AthletesIn this episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, Alf Gracombe speaks with Meotis Erickson, a former elite player turned coach, about her journey in soccer. They discuss the evolution of the women's game, the importance of creating healthy environments for young athletes, and the challenges faced by female coaches. Meotis shares her insights on coaching philosophy, the role of parents in youth sports, and the need for more female representation in coaching roles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the impact of a supportive environment on player development.On YouTube at https://youtu.be/1IlY1...
2025-05-231h 25
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeMichael Paule-Carres - Head of F7 Methodology at RCD EspanyolIn this conversation, Alf Gracombe speaks with Michael Paule-Carres, head of F7 methodology at RCD Espanyol, about his journey from the U.S. to coaching in Spain. They discuss the importance of values-based player development, the application of Montessori methods in coaching, and the significance of understanding player development stages. Michael emphasizes the role of methodology in coaching, the cultural values at Espanyol, and the benefits of mixed-age training. They explore constraints-based learning, adapting coaching to individual needs, and the transition from 7-a-side to 11-a-side football. The conversation concludes with insights on coaching philosophy, continuous learning, and recommended resources...
2025-05-191h 13
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeBiso Nkosi - A Coaching Journey from South Africa to JapanIn this engaging conversation with Biso Nkosi, we explored the journey of a coach whose football education spans multiple continents. From his childhood playing on the dusty streets of South Africa to coaching youth players across various cultures, Biso offers a unique cross-cultural perspective on youth development in football. He shares insights about the structural differences between nations like Japan, Spain, Brazil, and South Africa, explaining how early exposure to ball mastery and technical skills creates competitive advantages for young players. Biso details his possession-based coaching philosophy while emphasizing the importance of nurturing creative dribblers who can add that...
2025-04-0358 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeDavid Shapiro - Youth Sports, Mentorship, and Inclusive CommunitiesIn this episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, host Alf Gracombe speaks with David Shapiro, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. They discuss David's journey from youth sports to nonprofit leadership, emphasizing the importance of relationships over outcomes in coaching and mentorship. David shares insights on creating inclusive communities through sports, the dynamics of coaching diverse groups, and the significance of mentorship in youth development. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing competition with fun, the role of community in youth sports, and the lessons learned from coaching that translate into effective leadership.
2025-03-191h 16
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeTemisan Williams - Premier League Youth Academy CoachIn this episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, Temisan Williams shares his journey from a young football enthusiast to a dedicated coach. He discusses the importance of grassroots football, the differences between coaching at grassroots and academy levels, and the significance of effective communication and structured training. Temisan emphasizes the need for patience and the power of silence in coaching, advocating for a coaching philosophy that allows players to learn and develop through experience. In this conversation, Temisan Williams shares insights on coaching youth football, emphasizing the importance of understanding players' emotional states, the role of competition in development, and...
2025-02-0849 min
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeRick Fenoglio - Sports Science, Neurological Development, and Youth SportsThis episode features Rick Fenoglio, an American-born sports scientist and soccer development expert with over three decades of experience working with top clubs in the UK, including Manchester United and Manchester City. The conversation explores Fenoglio's journey from playing multiple sports in Illinois to becoming a leading advocate for small-sided games and science-based youth development approaches in soccer.Fenoglio explains how the human body's 30 trillion cells adapt specifically to training environments, offering insights into why certain training methods are more effective than others. He discusses his groundbreaking research at Manchester United that helped transform youth academy training...
2025-01-121h 04
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeMike Smith - Developing Young Athletes Across Different CulturesIn this conversation, Mike Smith shares his journey from a young sports enthusiast in England to a college soccer player at Harvard and later a coach in the U.S. He reflects on the emotional impact of the 1966 World Cup, his experiences in organized football, and the vibrant community of the Portuguese league in Massachusetts. Mike discusses the evolution of youth soccer in America and his passion for coaching, emphasizing the importance of patience and understanding in developing young players. In this conversation, Mike Smith shares his journey through the world of youth sports coaching, emphasizing the importance of...
2024-12-191h 26
CoachCraft with Alf GracombeJon Rudzinski - A Life of Sports, Player Development in the Grassroots and High SchoolIn this inaugural episode of CoachCraft, host Alf Gracombe interviews Jon Rudzinski, a veteran soccer coach with over two decades of experience in youth sports. Jon shares his journey from a sports-loving childhood to becoming a dedicated coach at Boston Latin School and Jamaica Plain Youth Soccer. He discusses the evolution of coaching philosophies, the importance of player development, and the transformative impact of grassroots soccer programs. Jon emphasizes the significance of community, technical training, and the personal growth that comes with coaching, offering valuable insights for aspiring coaches and parents alike.TakeawaysCoaching...
2024-12-0254 min