It's Only Kids Football

Ben and Mike tackle one of grassroots football’s biggest false divides: the idea that fun and development can’t coexist. From debates around training more than once a week and mixed-ability teams, to the realities of repetition, confidence-building and unseen work away from the pitch, they unpack what actually helps kids improve — and enjoy the game more.

The conversation weaves through emotional challenges of coaching your own child, managing expectations of volunteer coaches, the role of parents in development, and why creating the right environment matters more than results.

They also dig into a question that frustrates almost every parent-coach: why your child seems to listen intently to other coaches but completely switch off when it’s you speaking?

Through personal experience and reflection, they explore how familiarity can dilute authority, how unconditional love removes consequences, and how emotion — even when unintentional — changes the way messages land. It’s an honest look at why being both parent and coach is uniquely hard, and why the answer isn’t better instructions, but better awareness.

Benny is 4 years old 💙 and fighting stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. His family are raising funds for life-saving CAR-T cell therapy in Rome. Follow his journey: https://www.instagram.com/stand_by_benny/. Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/benjaminahmanizad

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/

Book a call with a VEO expert: https://get.veo.co/iokfootball

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In this episode, Ben and Mike welcome back Michael Fox, former Peterborough United academy coach and now head coach at Focusing on Excellence Football Academy, to tackle one of grassroots football’s most debated topics: playing out from the back.

Drawing on his first season coaching in grassroots, Michael shares how academy principles can work at under-9s and under-10s level—despite the retreat rule, mixed ability squads and limited game time. The conversation explores how to teach children to stay calm under pressure, use goalkeepers effectively, create overloads and understand space without overwhelming them with tactics.

They also dive into emotional regulation on the sidelines, why consistency in coaching behaviour matters more than results, and how simple language, repetition and visual cues help players learn faster. Along the way, Michael explains concepts like “fishing passes,” starting again, and why mistakes at the back are a necessary part of long-term development.

The episode finishes with a wider discussion on mindset—what separates academy players from grassroots, whether resilience can be coached, and why helping kids enjoy learning the game matters far more than winning on a Sunday morning.

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Offer ends midnight, 31st January 2026

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Connect with Olly Porteous: https://withme.so/Ollyporteous

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Ben and Mike reflect on a weekend that sharpened one of the biggest truths in grassroots football: coaches can guide, but parents carry the real responsibility for a child’s development.

As training resumes after the Christmas break, the focus is on repetition, patience and building habits — passing, movement and decision-making that only improve through consistent exposure. The session reinforces a hard reality: one hour a week with a volunteer coach will never be enough on its own.

The pair recount their interclub face-off with Leigh Ramblers Greens and from there, the conversation widens. Ben and Mike challenge the growing tendency to blame coaches for a child’s lack of progress, particularly in mixed-ability teams.

They discuss confidence, belief, physical development and the unseen work that happens away from training — and why expecting a volunteer to “fix” everything in 45 minutes a week is both unrealistic and unfair.

Use code IOKF10 and get 10% OFF at www.discountfootballkits.com — the UK’s longest-established specialist supplier of discounted branded football kits, accessories and footballs.
Offer ends midnight, 31st January 2026

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
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This week, Ben and Mike are joined by Saul Isaksson Hurst, one of the world’s leading technical coaches and the man behind elite players including Noni Madueke and Antoine Semenyo.

Saul breaks down what truly separates top academy and Premier League players from the rest, exploring mindset, work ethic, technical mastery and the environments that allow young players to thrive.

The conversation dives deep into common grassroots coaching challenges — keeping players engaged, designing high-tempo sessions, developing weaker feet and turning ball mastery into real in-game impact rather than “skills for skills’ sake.”

Packed with practical examples, simple games and honest coaching reflections, this episode is essential listening for any coach or parent who wants to help young players improve — without overcomplicating the process.

Level 1 & Level 2 e-learning courses with Saul to help take your coaching to the next level: https://mypersonalfootballcoach.com/level-1-level-2-e-leaning-courses/

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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This week, Ben and Mike welcome Mick Clegg, the former Manchester United power development coach who helped transform a young Cristiano Ronaldo into a global icon.

Mick pulls back the curtain on the elite habits of the world’s best, revealing how grassroots coaches and parents can apply these same principles today.

They dive into the biggest conditioning mistakes in youth football, the importance of "experiential knowledge," and practical ways to build athleticism without overcomplicating training.

Whether you're coaching under-6s or aspiring pros, Mick’s advice will help you build an athlete from the ground up.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
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X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.