Episode 169: Better Youth Coaching. Better Development. Better Athletes. — Dan Stratford

August 24, 2026

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What do young athletes really need most from youth sports?

In Episode 169 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Dan Stratford, owner and partner at Kick It 3v3 Soccer, for a conversation about youth coaching, athlete development, and the purpose of sports for young people.

Too often, youth sports puts the least experienced coaches with the youngest athletes. But coaching young players requires a unique skill set. Young athletes are still learning how to move, compete, communicate, solve problems, and manage emotions. They need coaches who understand their developmental stage—and who value growth over short-term results.

Dan and Coach Matt discuss why development should be the priority in youth sports. Winning can be part of a healthy experience, but winning does not automatically mean a child is improving. True development comes from learning, making mistakes, trying new things, and having the freedom to grow.

They also explore why small-sided games, including 3v3 soccer, can be such a powerful tool for development. More touches on the ball, more decisions, more creativity, and more opportunities to learn from mistakes can help young athletes build skills that transfer far beyond the field.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why our youngest athletes may need our best coaches.
Why development is always winning, but winning is not always development.
The danger of parents tying their identity to their child’s success.
Why being on the “best” team is not always best for growth.
How small-sided games encourage creativity and decision-making.
Why kids should not be coached like miniature professional athletes.
How coaches and parents can redefine winning in youth sports.
Why we have youth sports in the first place.

Dan brings decades of experience as a player, coach, parent, and youth-sports leader to this conversation. While soccer is part of the discussion, the lessons apply to coaches and parents in every sport.

Learn more about Dan Stratford and Kick It 3v3 Soccer at Kick It 3v3 Soccer.

Coach Matt Thomann is an ICF-certified coach and founder of Mental Mettle Coaching. Through individual coaching, team coaching, professional development, and speaking, Mental Mettle helps athletes, coaches, and educators develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and mental toughness.

Learn more at mentalmettlelifecoaching.com.

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