It's Only Kids Football

• 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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• Are we really ready for the new season?

  Ben and Mike gear up for the new season with a mix of excitement, dread and brutal honesty. They look back at the Essex Royal Tournament — a reminder of how far they’ve come since that nightmare first outing — and ask if this year’s squad can handle the jump to 7-a-side.With nine players, equal game time and two new signings, the boys finally have the steel they’ve been missing. But will concentration lapses, emotional meltdowns and dodgy coaching hold them back?The dads set targets for their kids, for the team and for themselves — from improving communication to not losing the plot when someone forgets their position (again). They also share listener stories about silent matches, dodgy refs and training disasters, proving once more that grassroots football is equal parts comedy, stress and joy.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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• Harry Kane’s grassroots coach on what set England’s record goalscorer apart

  Ben and Mike sit down with Dave Bricknell — long-time Tottenham coach and scout who first spotted Harry Kane — and Ben’s uncle, Arty, Dave's assistant manager, while running a youth team back in the 90s. Dave gives an honest assessment of Ben’s son Alfie’s recent Spurs trial, pinpointing what he needs to improve to reach the next level. Then Dave and Arty tell stories of grassroots battles and their management style and reveal what it’s like when a future Premier League star lands in your team. Dave opens up on scouting realities, why mental strength beats raw skill and how Kane went from an eager eight-year-old goalkeeper to England captain.Packed with sharp insights, this episode tackles the pressures of trials, the risks of recruiting too young and how parents can set high standards while keeping the game fun.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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• What pro clubs don’t want you to know about the academy system

  In this episode, Ben and Mike are joined by Chris Platts—a career coach working with professional clubs, parents and young players—to explore what grassroots football can learn from elite environments.They take a candid look at the world of professional football academies—highlighting the pressure, uncertainty and harsh realities behind the polished image. Chris offers valuable insight into the emotional and developmental toll the system can take on young players and their families and how to approach it with greater awareness, balance and long-term perspective.Drawing from his professional club experience and academic research, Chris breaks down what makes a good coach, why most grassroots clubs are set up backwards and how adults’ egos often get in the way of kids’ long-term development.The conversation dives into building better club cultures, the importance of coach education and reflection and why focusing on people and purpose can transform how children experience the game.More from Chris Platts: https://www.chrisplatts.co.uk/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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• How to teach kids shape, positioning and movement

  In this episode, Ben and Mike tackle one of grassroots football’s trickiest challenges—teaching positioning—with the help of Michael Fox, a seasoned coach with 14 years at Peterborough United and now head coach at the Focusing on Excellence Football Academy. Michael shares his approach to helping young players understand space, shape and decision-making without overwhelming them or losing the fun. The discussion explores when kids start to grasp positioning, how to simplify concepts using visual tools and small-sided games and why quiet encouragement often works better than constant instruction. They also cover the importance of rotating positions for long-term development, how to coach emotional resilience when mistakes happen and the delicate balance of managing parent expectations.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Michael's coaching academy: https://focusingonxcellence.com/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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