In this episode of Chat by the Pitch, we dive deep into the journeys of Alexander Jakubov and Libor Volf, co-owners of Volf Soccer Academy. From growing up in a small town and a major city with a passion for street soccer to building an international academy that spans multiple countries, these two former professional players discuss their philosophies, challenges, and the joy of helping the next generation of players. Learn how they’ve transformed the development of young soccer talent, focusing on skillbuilding, Discipline, and creating a positive and fun environment for growth. Key Talking Points: Alexander and Libor's early soccer experiences in Europe. Differences in soccer culture between Europe and North America. Building Volf Soccer Academy: philosophy, challenges, and growth. Balancing competitiveness with fun in youth soccer training. Importance of parent involvement and setting expectations for young players. Tune in to learn: How street soccer influences the foundational skills of young players. Why creating a positive environment in training is essential for longterm success. The role of parents in supporting, but not overstepping, their children's soccer journey. Libor and Alexander's personal experiences, from playing in top clubs to running an academy. Quotes from Alexander: "We want to create players who are confident with the ball, ready to take risks, and not afraid of mistakes." "Every training session needs balance between fun and strictness. Without one, you lose the effectiveness of the other." "In professional soccer, you need to know when to switch between having fun and getting serious." "Skills training needs a foundation—master the basics first, then build on that." "Parents must trust us; once their kids are on the field, it's our time to coach." Quotes from Libor: "When I started Volf Soccer, I didn’t expect it to grow into five academies, but it was always about love for the game." "If a child doesn't enjoy soccer, we tell the parents. There's no point in forcing it." "We’re not just coaching skills; we’re coaching life lessons—discipline, commitment, and joy." "The game has changed. Kids don’t play freely on the streets anymore, so we recreate that experience." "You can’t build great soccer players by yelling at them. They need guidance, structure, and room to grow." Connect with Volf Soccer Academy: Website: www.volfsoccer.us Instagram: volfsocceracademy Alexanderjakubov Volfino13 Facebook: Volf Soccer Academy Alexander Jakubov Libor Volf TikTok: Volfsocceracademy Training location: Ulete in Southlake SWAT(Sports World Athletics of Texas) in Rockwall Follow Us: Twitter: @ChatByThePitch Instagram: @ChatByThePitch Facebook: Chat By The Pitch Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to "Chat By The Pitch" on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners who are passionate about soccer. #YouthSoccer #SoccerTraining #VolfSoccerAcademy #StreetSoccer #SoccerPhilosophy #SoccerCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #PositiveCoaching #SoccerLove #FootballJourney