Youth Training

This week on the Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with Mario Mrakovic, Surf Junior Youth Academy Director at San Diego Surf, to explore one of the most important topics in modern player development: individual training. With more players turning to private coaching, extra sessions, and at-home practice, the challenge is no longer access — it’s direction. In this conversation, Mario shares his philosophy built over 20+ years of working with players, and why true development starts with movement, coordination, and attention to detail before anything else. We break down the difference between technique and skill, why “just practicing more” isn’t enough, and how players can take real ownership of their development outside of team training. Mario also shares insights into his training card system and upcoming app designed to give players a clear, structured pathway to improvement. This is a must-listen for players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand how to develop technical ability in today’s game. If you’re enjoying the Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast, please subscribe, share with your network, and reach out with topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes. Contact: [email protected] Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Mario’s background and early development 08:30 Where players are falling behind technically 14:30 The reality of private training 16:30 Training cards and player responsibility 23:30 The future: app and scalable development

🎙️ Inside College Soccer | Featuring Steve Purdy Presented by Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA) In this episode, host Don Williams sits down with former professional and current trainer Steve Purdy to unfold a compelling story of resilience, adaptability, and passion—from Northern California youth leagues to Germany's 2.Bundesliga and MLS, and finally into elite coaching. 🧭 Journey Through the Game Purdy reflects on pivotal career milestones: breakout youth performances in Northern California, powering the Cal Golden Bears to a Pac‑10 title, testing himself in Europe with 1860 Munich, enduring injury setbacks, and representing both MLS clubs (FC Dallas, Portland Timbers) and El Salvador’s national team. His story illustrates the unpredictable, yet rewarding, path of pro soccer purdyperformance.com+7timbers.com+7linkedin.com+7purdyperformance.com+1purdyperformance.com+1. 🏋️‍♂️ Transition to Trainer & Vision for Development Today, Steve runs Purdy Performance in Green Bay, a comprehensive soccer training hub that blends technical, tactical, athletic, and mental conditioning—reflecting his own approach to holistic player growth purdyperformance.com+1soccerparents.com+1. Through private sessions, small groups, and camps, he supports players 7–18+ with customized programming. His offerings include: Elite & Development Tracks: including “Elite GK Academy” for ages 12–16—15 weeks of high‑tempo, position‑specific sessions covering all modern goalkeeper tools purdyperformance.com. Sports Performance Programs: functional strength, speed, agility, HIIT, and SPARTAN DEKA training—a full fitness suite beyond soccer purdyperformance.com+2soccerparents.com+2purdyperformance.com+2. 🌱 Mindset & Holistic Athlete Approach Purdy emphasizes that true player development extends beyond the pitch—his site details a strong focus on mental strength and lifestyle coaching, built from his background as a certified lifestyle and exercise coach linkedin.com. 📈 Impact & Legacy Under his leadership, Purdy Performance collaborates with the likes of SC Wave and The Talent Projekt to connect youth players with MLS Next, MWC, and YNL pathways—underscoring his role in fostering long-term elite athletes purdyperformance.com+4facebook.com+4purdyperformance.com+4. This episode is a masterclass in transition—showing how elite play, adversity, and strategic reinvention can reshape a career. For college athletes, coaches, and parents, Purdy’s insights offer actionable strategies in technical excellence and mental toughness, perfectly aligned with SRUSA’s mission to mold tomorrow’s soccer leaders. This episode is brought to you by Sports Recruiting USA, the College Soccer Recruiting Experts. Check out us on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/sportsrecruitingusa X: www.twitter.com/SRUSA_Official Instagram: www.instagram.com/sportsrecruitingusa Threads: www.threads.net/@sportsrecruitingusa TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@collegesoccer LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/sportsrecruitingusa Website: https://www.sportsrecruitingusa.com/

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Send us Fan Mail Episode 84, Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek) Creating a Great Training Environment, a conversation with Jonny Martin from the Football Fun Factory In this episode we talk with Jonny Martin, Co-Founder and Director @ the Football Fun Factory. Jonny talks to us about his own coaching journey and time he spent in academy football, as well as the evolution of the Football Fun Factory (FFF) since its inception in 2019...

Gary is joined by Chicago Fire assistant coach Marko Mitrovic. He enjoyed success as head coach of the Serbian Under-15 and Under-16 teams, and was an assistant coach as Serbia were crowned 2015 FIFA Under-20. Marko discusses his experience at Red Star Belgrade academy at a time when they were European Champions. They also talk about coaching in MLS, the differences in culture and the impact that Bastian Schweinsteiger has had on the young players in Chicago. This culture podcast is brought to you by WorldStrides Excel.