It's Only Kids Football

• Why grassroots management is emotional torture

  Ben and Mike return to the touchline for an episode that captures everything maddening and magical about grassroots football. One match leaves them questioning their tactics, their tempers and even their sanity — but also delivers a reminder of why they keep coming back week after week.In the latest instalment of their season diary, the dads relive a pair of unforgettable games — both dramatic, both wildly entertaining, but each ending in very different emotions. From the elation of everything clicking to the despair of watching it slip away, it’s grassroots football in all its unpredictable glory.There’s also a deep dive into their time with Ballers Elite, taking on Brighton’s academy and Ipswich Town’s development squad. As Mike wrestles with frustration from the sidelines, Ben finds perspective in watching Alfie grow in confidence and begin to play with genuine freedom.And through it all runs the toughest challenge of all — being a parent-coach. How do you build confidence and fearlessness in your child when they’re already tired of being told what to do by the same voice at home and on the pitch?3 v 3 tournament - Aubrey’s Charity Fund Raiser: https://ballers-elite-1.classforkids.io/info/30Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Teach kids to love defending

  In this episode, Ben and Mike sit down with Ross Clarke Brooks—UEFA A-Licensed coach at West Ham United and Football DNA content creator—to tackle one of grassroots football’s toughest challenges: coaching kids to defend.Ross draws on over a decade of experience working with young players to share practical ways coaches can introduce defending without killing the fun. From teaching body positioning and decision-making in small-sided games to using creative analogies that kids understand, he explains how to help players see defending as just as exciting as attacking.The discussion also dives into common coaching dilemmas: when to introduce compactness, how to avoid over-instruction, keeping training realistic and playful, and the balance between winning and development.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Bad habits are creeping back into our behaviour

  Ben and Mike kick off the new season with equal parts optimism and exasperation. Pre-season friendlies brought slick football, impressive wins and a series of great goals, but also reminded the coaching duo not to get too carried away.The first league match against Hullbridge Sports was supposed to be routine – until the boys froze on the grass, the opposition dug in and a last-gasp equaliser left everyone deflated. Off the pitch, Ben admits that old habits of snapping at his son have crept back, leading to emotional car rides, guilt, and even a heartfelt letter of apology.From training drills with countdown shot-clocks to managing fragile confidence, the dads wrestle with whether they’re helping their kids or just piling on pressure. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• When should kids start strength and conditioning training?

  In this episode, Ben and Mike are joined by Neal Lattimore, strength and conditioning coach at Peterborough United and founder of Active Performance Gym. Drawing on this experience working with academy players, Neil breaks down one of youth football’s biggest questions—when and how kids should start physical training.The conversation covers what to focus on at different ages, how to navigate growth spurts safely and why proper movement, balance and coordination matter more than heavy lifting. Neil shares practical tips for improving speed, shot power, coordination and common mistakes coaches and parents make when trying to get kids in shape.From busting the myth that weights stunt growth, to explaining the benefits of bio-banding and why fun races and ladders can build coordination, this episode gives coaches and parents the confidence to support young players’ physical development.They also discuss academy vs grassroots approaches, how to keep sessions engaging, and why patience is key when kids develop at different speeds.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Why parents are the biggest problem in youth football

  In this episode, Ben and Mike sit down with renowned coach James Galanis, best known for his work with World Cup winners and elite US internationals, to unpack what grassroots football can learn from the highest level.The conversation dives into James’s philosophy that coaches are “creators of environments” and why the biggest obstacles to player development are often not kids, but parents. He shares powerful stories, including how a single car ride can destroy a child’s love for football and offers practical ways to reset the culture around youth sport.From the dangers of over-structuring training to why US “pay to play” soccer leaves too many talented kids behind, James explains how coaches and parents can shift focus from short-term results to long-term growth. He also breaks down the crucial differences between coaching boys and girls and why listening, respect and love for the game matter more than tactics at grassroots level.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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