In this episode of Off the Beaten Pitch, Alan and Alex dive into heart of the game: pick-up soccer. From empty lots and gravel roads to church fields and schoolyards, we explore how unstructured, player-led games shape creativity, resilience, and a love for the game in ways traditional training often can’t. We share personal stories, insights from coaching in rural communities, and discuss why letting kids "just play" might be the secret weapon in youth development. Whether you grew up in the game or are coaching the next generation, this episode is a celebration of the beautiful chaos that is pick-up soccer. If you have a topic you'd like us to talk about hit us up on our socials.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLe4jkhxQ/

https://x.com/thebeatenpitch?t=p6HYiyMLMyyr-LEogwnFLA&s=09

https://www.tiktok.com/@offthebeatenpitch?_t=ZP-8y7SKau7qdK&_r=1

Welcome to the premiere episode of Off the Beaten Pitch, the podcast that dives into the heart of grassroots soccer in rural America. In this debut episode, hosts Coach Alex and Coach Alan tackle one of the biggest development killers in youth soccer: joystick coaching—when coaches (or even parents) try to control every move a young player makes from the sidelines.

We break down what joystick coaching looks like, why it’s so common in rural environments, and how it holds back creativity, decision-making, and love for the game. You’ll hear personal stories from the grassroots trenches, insights from coaching experts, and practical ways to shift from control to empowerment.

Plus, we dig into the role of well-meaning but overbearing parents and how to reframe sideline behavior for long-term player growth.