Why Players Stop Improving | Saul Isaksson-Hurst on Individual Development
- Gary Curneen
- Apr 9
- 1 min read
The conversation around player development has shifted heavily toward game-based approaches—but in this episode, Saul Isaksson-Hurst challenges whether we’ve gone too far. “Let the game teach” was never meant to mean stepping away completely, yet in many environments that’s exactly what’s happening. Saul makes a clear case for balance: players need freedom and decision-making opportunities, but they also need coaching, detail, and support—especially when it comes to building their relationship with the ball. This episode cuts through the noise and brings the focus back to what actually helps players improve.
Few voices in the game have consistently pushed for higher standards in skill development like Saul. Drawing from years of experience working with elite players and academies, he highlights why so many players plateau despite training more than ever, and what coaches can do differently. From deliberate practice to the role of technique within modern training environments, this is a conversation that will challenge how you think about your sessions and your impact as a coach.
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A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting this episode. Their coach and player journals are designed to help you plan with purpose, reflect consistently, and track development across the season—bringing real structure to the learning process both on and off the pitch. Use code Modernsoccer20 for 20% OFF your first order. Please click here to take advantage.
