Inside The Game
Inside The Game is a weekly podcast with Stuart Sharples, hosted by Steel United, designed to support coaches, players, and parents by breaking down key topics from our coaching curriculum. Each episode dives into a fundamental aspect of the game, explores a core value that shapes player development, and features a special guest offering insights on the weekly theme. Whether you're on the pitch or in the stands, this podcast will help you understand the game on a deeper level. Let’s step inside the game!
Episodes
29 episodes
Episode Twenty Nine - From Parent to Coach
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Navigating from Parent to Coach — focusing on the unique journey many people take from supporting their child on the sidelines to leading and developing...
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Episode Twenty Eight - The Impact of The World Cup
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme The Impact of The World Cup — focusing on how the biggest tournament in the world can inspire, educate, and shape the next generation of players. Our cu...
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Episode Twenty Seven - Power of Reflection
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Power of Reflection — focusing on how true development happens not just through action, but through understanding and learning from those experiences. O...
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Episode Twenty Six - Preparing for Gameday
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Preparing for a Game — focusing on how players can be set up to perform when it matters most. Our curriculum topic remains Final Third Play, and ...
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Episode Twenty Five - Applying Modern Trends to Your Team
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Applying Modern Trends to Your Youth Team — focusing on how coaches can take ideas from the highest levels of the game and translate them into meaningfu...
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Episode Twenty Four - Building a Growth Mindset
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Importance of a Growth Mindset — focusing on how the way players think, respond, and learn is just as important as what they do on the field. Our curric...
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Episode Twenty Three - Understanding The Person
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Understanding The Person — focusing on how great coaching goes beyond tactics and into truly connecting with the individuals in front of you. Our curric...
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Episode Twenty Two - Embracing Challenges
In this episode of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Embracing Challenges with Special Guest Jaylin Finney— focusing on how players grow when they are pushed outside of their comfort zone. Our curri...
Episode Twenty One - Favourite World Cup Moment
In the opening episode of a new season, host Stuart Sharples introduces the theme Introduction to the Season — setting the tone for what’s to come and laying the foundation for player and coach development in the weeks ahead. Our curricu...
Episode Twenty - Building Life Skills
In the final episode of the season, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme Building Life Skills in Sport — focusing on how the lessons learned through soccer extend far beyond the field. Our curriculum topic is Attacking Third
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Episode Nineteen - Utilizing Set Pieces
In Week 9 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of Utilizing Set Pieces — how to transform dead-ball situations into game-changing opportunities. Our curriculum topic is the Attacking Third, and our ...
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Episode Eighteen - The Coaching Journey
In Week 8 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores A Coach’s Journey — the ups, downs, and defining moments that shape who we are on the sidelines. Our curriculum topic is Defensive Transitions, and our core va...
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Episode Seventeen - The View Of A Goalkeeper
In Week 7 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores The Goalkeeper’s View — seeing the game through the eyes of the last line of defense. Goalkeepers embody integrity, leading with communication, composure, and ...
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Episode Sixteen - The Art Of Counter Attacking
In Week 6 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of The Art of Counter Attacking — those electrifying moments when teams turn defense into attack with speed, precision, and purpose. Our curriculum topic is...
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Episode Fifteen - The Greatest Supporter
In Week 5 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores the theme of The Greatest Supporter — recognizing the vital role parents play in shaping a young player’s journey, and how coaches can guide and support that relationship in p...
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Episode Fourteen - Turning Errors Into Growth
In Week 4 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores how mistakes can be powerful learning moments when players and coaches embrace the mindset of Turning Errors into Growth. Our curriculum topic is Staying Connected, and our core value ...
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Episode Thirteen - Characters Over Champions
In Week 3 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores what it means to put Characters Before Champions — the idea that developing people comes before chasing results. Our curriculum topic is Staying Connected, and o...
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Episode Twelve - Dealing with Injuries and Setbacks
In Week 2 of Inside The Game, host Stuart Sharples explores how to handle one of football’s toughest challenges — injuries and setbacks. On the field, our curriculum topic is Switching the Play, and our core value is Respect<...
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Episode Eleven - Understanding the Box Midfield
Welcome back to Inside The Game, the coaching podcast from Steel United! Kicking off our Fall 2025 season, host Stuart Sharples dives into one of the modern game’s most talked-about tactical setups — the Box Midfield. We break down wha...
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Episode Ten - The Power of Reflection
In the final episode of Season 1 of Inside The Game, we bring our spring coaching series to a close with a focus on attacking overloads—how clever movement off the ball helps create numerical superiority in key moments. We bre...
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Episode Nine - Dealing With Pressure
In this episode of Inside The Game, we explore how to coach players through high-pressure moments by focusing on the use of overloads in attacking play. Learn how to help your team recognize and utilize the spare player—an essential ta...
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Episode Eight- Developing the Art of Goalscoring
In this episode of Inside The Game, we continue our focus on Final Third play by zooming in on one of soccer’s most thrilling aspects—goalscoring. From movement off the ball to timing and composure, we break down what it really takes t...
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Episode Seven - Creating a Competitive Environment
In this episode of Inside The Game, we kick off a two-week focus on the Final Third—arguably the most decisive area of the pitch where games are won and lost. We break down what effective play in the final third looks like, including k...
Episode Six - How to Support Players with Anxiety
n this episode of Inside The Game, we continue our spring coaching journey by taking a deeper look at switching the play—not just from a tactical angle, but through the emotional lens of player confidence. We discuss how anxie...
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