
Why Players Stop Improving | Saul Isaksson-Hurst on Individual Development
Apr 9, 2026
54:41
Click here to access Saul's presentation for FREE on MSC Insider:
https://forms.gle/nEFQYuyxMMPXo7Vp8
This is one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast.
Saul Isaksson-Hurst joins Gary Curneen to break down the reality of individual development in today’s game—and why so many players are plateauing despite working harder than ever.
We get into the biggest misconceptions in coaching right now, including the idea that practice makes perfect, the over-reliance on game-based training, and the growing tension between club environments and individual training.
Saul shares how elite players actually develop their technical level, why 20 minutes of focused work can outperform hours of unfocused training, and why coaches must find a better balance between opposed and unopposed work.
We also dive into the explosion of individual coaching, the lack of quality control in the space, and why there is still a major gap in coach education when it comes to developing players on the ball.
If you care about player development, this episode will challenge how you think about training.
A huge thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting the podcast. Their journals are designed to help coaches and players plan, reflect, and track development with real intention across the season. Check them out and use the code for a discount.
