In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, we have an in-depth conversation with Coach Rory O’Neill, a dedicated youth soccer coach, emergency medicine physician, and long time 3four3 member. Coach Rory shares his unique journey from growing up in a non-soccer household to becoming a passionate coach, the challenges and rewards of managing coaching alongside his medical career, and much more. The discussion addresses the lack of resources for youth soccer coaches in the U.S., contrasts coaching methodologies between the U.S. and Argentina, and explores public misconceptions about the coaching profession. Additionally, Rory talks about his successful YouTube channel, Coach Rory Soccer, which provides valuable insights and resources for coaches worldwide. This episode offers a comprehensive look into the broader issues within youth soccer development and the balance between winning and fostering growth.
00:35 Discovering Rory’s Content
01:56 Coaching Philosophy and Youth Development
03:03 Challenges in Youth Coaching
03:36 Organic Conversation and YouTube Channel
04:09 Identifying Well-Coached Teams
08:11 Rory’s Coaching Journey
13:44 Balancing Medical Career and Coaching
16:26 The State of Youth Soccer in the U.S.
20:02 Cultural Differences in Soccer
35:12 Experiences in Argentina
43:12 The Competitive Mentality in Argentine Soccer
44:30 Current Coaching Teams and Aspirations
46:14 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Youth Soccer
50:32 The Role and Struggles of Parent Coaches
56:26 Dealing with Parent Expectations and Education
01:01:58 The Unique Challenges of Soccer Coaching
01:04:35 Mourinho On Coaching
01:17:07 The Journey and Impact of Coach Rory’s YouTube Channel
You can find more of Coach Rory on his Youtube Channel: Coach Rory Soccer
* Coaches, immediately get a proper and proven training methodology directly from the people who helped pioneer a transformation in American soccer – from totally random kickball, towards the timeless global gold standard of a methodical possession-based football. You don’t have to continue wondering and endlessly stumbling on what to do in your training sessions.
* Parents, learn how to better guide and mentor your kids in football. You are a huge factor in fulfilling their potential:
http://343masterclass.com
* 3four3 on X: https://twitter.com/3four3
* 3four3′ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/3four3/
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This video is great and Coach Rory is sensational. I'm in my 2nd year coaching youth soccer and I learned a lot from him, maybe not so much about the game, but how to become a coach. Now he just introduced me to 3four3 I can tell right away that I'll be here frequently. It's very hard to be a voluntary soccer coach in a small town in British Columbia for many aspects, but watching this video gave me energy to keep doing it. Thanks guys.
Enjoyed listening, thanks gents. Just out of interest how long are your training sessions? I was interested in the comment that was made about doing 20-30 mins of a rondo in every session. How do you link this to a block of learning on dribbling if you work in blocks and have a topic thread running through your session?
Hey,
Im a parent Coach (2012/2015)
Won a HS and NCAA National Championship.
Would love to chat.
I would have loved to be part of this conversation. You both have hit it on top of the nail with it all.
"I can't believe I'm in this ecosystem that is totally dysfunctional and nobody knows it" what an amazing quote. hits home harder than i wish it did. love the content!
25:00
I have been following coach rory for a long time. He is awesome!
There is another discipline where everyone thinks they can do it better than you…filmmaking. And for some reason I'm enwrapped in both. 🥴
As the parent of an 11-year old it was great to listen to this conversation across two channels we follow regularly. I've been watching soccer since I was a child and the state of youth soccer just makes me sad. I don't think our child will likely play pro soccer, but he loves the game and wants to play at a high level without losing the joy of playing the game he loves. He's still not jaded but I always worry that will change.
Great stuff, Coach Rory always has great thoughts on younger levels that are often overlooked!
Great insights and stories. I coach recreational soccer in Texas (U11/12) and this shows a lot of the realities we all face today. Soccer around the U.S. can be so much more and better. Thanks to all of the coaches fighing the good fight out there and doing the right thing coaching kids and changing lives.
Nerwork with some clubs in South Africa, come and train and play here
Holy smokes, 2 of my favorite dudes…
Never going to please everybody!!!!
I parent coach a mid level U11 team in south florida that punches above its weight, and wins and losses mean nothing to me, as long as we are learning and growing. We made a finals in a tourney this weekend(i hate tourneys) and then in the finals my two loudest parents decided to coach and scream at the boys the entire time, causing a calm group of boys to suddenly become anxious and not make their own decisions on the pitch. We went from building to punting and from solving problems to just reacting insanely. The noise is causing players to not want to play on that side of the pitch and thus creating problems around play. Imagine being a parent that causes trauma to a 9-10 yr old who now does not to want to take the field in a sport he absolutely loves, and its not their kid.
Great stuff guys. I’m going to take the free course. Love Coach Rory Soccers videos
This is not for hits….
I’m enjoying hearing your passion for Youth Footy development! What are your thoughts about positional vs. Relational styles of play?
Do you think the culture affects the type of development that occurs?
Do we as the USA embrace European footy culture which is predominantly Positional?
Is Positional Play similar to choreography?
Are we ignorant to the unique ways to play the game due to our exposure, predominantly due to our lack of knowledge in regard to language barriers?
Are you saying that you are, or not supporting the flawed system in the states by embracing the game using this style of play?
This seems strange when you embrace and teach the popular style that has capitalized the English culture as the system you are against?
Isn’t the game to score more goals than your opponent?
What makes this a beautiful game?
I believe that the game is played by the players and their special abilities they bring to the stage.
Most goals are scored through transitions which is the chaos that makes the game exciting!
Do we enjoy control as much as we dislike?
I say let them play and enjoy the chaos while we sit back and enjoy it with them!
I'd like to hear your opinion about US soccer grass roots training for coaches. They do a play, practice play methodology. Have you run into that with other coaches? What are your thoughts on it?
great conversation and video!
This hits in so many ways for me, been following Coach Rory for awhile now, he also lead me to 3four3. I now consider myself a soccer Dad of 3 boys u8, u10, and U12. Grew up with no soccer background, played baseball, basketball and football growing up! Fell in love with soccer with my boys, started assisting, now have my own u10 Travel team with my son on it, and it's been the most challenging experience since starting coaching mostly because of parent education! I made my exptations clear and told them i would be an open book from day one. Still every week, I'm hearing about their kids looking board on defense etc!!! Thanks guys appreciate all your work! Needed this pick me up!
Great discussion, thanks gentlemen. I am looking forward to your further collaboration. Coach Rory was my gateway to the 3Four3 7v7 course.
Fantastic vid. Looks like Coach Rory is local to me as well.
I love this conversation. As a U10 coach it's good to hear this. My team just completed a tournament were I felt we really underperformed. I don't really care about the scores, but I feel like I've let my team down. You definitely feel the pressure to win by parents. I'll be checking out 3four3 for some help. The kids make it fun though.
Great conversation! Benny thanks for helping get these podcast out on such a regular basis. Looking forward to more.
Gracias: gran combinación de dos futuras leyendas.
Two legends linking up for an amazing discussion. Im all ears