It's Only Kids Football

Why does your child sometimes look like two completely different footballers? Ben and Mike explore the frustrating but fascinating reality of inconsistency in youth players—where confidence, mood, environment and even small moments in a game can completely change a child’s performance.From training intensity to matchday mentality, they unpack why the “switch” can flick on and off so dramatically. They also reflect on how factors off the pitch—like school, health worries, or even the dynamic of being coached by a parent—can quietly influence effort levels and decision-making. It’s a reminder that what looks like laziness or lack of focus is often something more complex, and understanding the “why” is key to supporting development.Along the way, they discuss the impact of confidence swings, the importance of patience when progress isn’t linear, and how coaches and parents can respond when effort drops without damaging a child’s love for the game.They also tackle a range of listener questions, including how to manage parent behaviour on the sidelines without burning out, setting boundaries as a volunteer coach, and navigating the challenges of growing squads.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.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/Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogoTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is advertising for specific positions in youth football the right approach for development? Ben and Mike debate whether recruiting for roles like “defenders only” is a practical necessity or risks pigeonholing players too early, shaping how they see themselves on the pitch.They also discuss why losing is essential for growth, how competition builds resilience, and what lessons really stick when things don’t go your way. It’s a reminder that, while winning feels great, it’s often the tough moments—the missed chances, poor decisions and defeats—that teach children the most, even if they’re harder for parents to watch.They also look at how the close proximity and constant instruction between parent and child in training can quickly spark tension, misunderstandings and those all-too-familiar flashpoints. There are positives too, as elements from recent training—particularly around shooting and decision-making—begin to show up in matches, reinforcing the idea that repetition and patience do pay off over time.Alongside this, they tackle the practical realities of grassroots football, including how best to trial a new player without disrupting the group or placing too much pressure on the individual.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.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/Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogoTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben and Mike, talk about their experience of loud adult spectators unintentionally overwhelming young players. The hosts reflect on balancing resilience with responsibility, questioning when to step in and highlighting how adult behaviour on the sidelines can shape a child’s experience.They discuss the science of "preclude constraints", using the powerful analogy of Kyrie Irving practising on a broken backboard to explain why intentionally making training difficult—by blocking the "easy path"—is essential for developing player creativity and resilience.Beyond the tactics, the duo explores the "happiness of the pursuit", a concept inspired by a Jimmy Carr podcast, where the comedian makes the point that the satisfaction of the journey comes from the struggle itself, rather than just the result.They discuss the eeriness of playing a match during a "silent weekend", and Ben shares a poignant realisation: the day his son stops playing is approaching faster than he would like. It is a timely reminder to coaches and parents to stop wishing away the tough times and instead cherish the messy, rewarding reality of the grassroots journey before it is gone.Download kit design form: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast#552550290Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026.Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogoTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike break down two intense matches, from a muddy “battle” to a frustrating defeat after a brilliant first half and reflect on the fine margins between development and results. The conversation dives into defensive organisation, why kids lose concentration and the challenge of coaching your own child without letting emotions take over. The discussion becomes particularly honest when Mike reflects on a moment where frustration got the better of him while coaching his son during the game. Looking back, he questions whether his reaction was really about tactics or influenced by the emotions that come with being both a parent and a coach. Alongside the emotional side of coaching, they analyse the football itself—talking through missed chances, defensive lapses, and the importance of communication and positioning. They also reinforce a key philosophy: prioritising development over results by giving every player meaningful minutes, rotating positions, and allowing kids to learn the game through experience, even when it costs the team in the short term.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026.Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogoTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike deliver an honest reflection on the reality of being a football dad, diving into the difficult balance between coaching a player and raising a son. They explore stoicism, discussing how to handle your emotions and unrealistic expectations.The conversation gets raw as they break down a gut-wrenching defeat played in "war zone" conditions, questioning why some losses stay with a coach longer than they do with the players. They challenge every parent to look in the mirror and ask: "Are you gutted for them, or are you just gutted for you?"Beyond the mindset, they share practical coaching strategies to keep kids focused, from eliminating downtime during sessions to using 6-4-2 ball mastery to build a child’s skill and confidence.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026.Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogoArne Slot's sport psychologist on how you can develop your child's mental skills:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/lt/podcast/arne-slots-sport-psychologist-on-how-you-can-develop/id1761618341?i=1000679710829Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gi0qhWx1DogaXhNaHr8jE?si=WSSO0n2kTJeCJInBkMv96ATikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike are joined in the studio by Josh Paul, the social media powerhouse behind @fit_4_football to dissect the parental pre-game pep talk. Josh reveals why giving technical instructions to a young child is not only ineffective but also ignores the reality of how children actually learn and play.The conversation explores the dangers of comparing grassroots players to the "wonder kids" seen in highly edited social media clips. From managing chaotic training sessions to using professional players as positive role models, this episode is a deep dive into keeping the pressure low and the fun high.Ben and Mike get honest about their own past coaching mistakes and why the most important job a parent has is simply being their child's biggest fan.Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026.Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.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/iokfootballTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/benjaminahmanizadFootball 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/iokfootballTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 2026Football 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike kick things off by reliving their dramatic derby against the Blues — from a chaotic training session to touchline wobblers, goal-line drama and the boys’ grit in a scrappy 4–3 win.They’re then joined by Cambridge United’s Dario Seminerio, Youth Development Phase Lead Coach (U13- U16) at Cambridge United, who explains why great coaching is about teaching principles, not patterns. Dario speaks about the cultural differences between coaching in England and Italy — from parental behaviour to training frequency, communication style and how young players in each country respond to instruction, pressure and team identity.He also digs into the detail: how managing time and space can instantly level mixed-ability groups, why players learn faster when they understand the why behind movements, and how concepts like creating a “plus one,” recognising pressure and rotating intelligently help kids solve problems instead of memorising set plays.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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben and Mike relive a turbulent fortnight in their grassroots coaching journey — from a humiliating 7–1 collapse to an emotionally charged comeback win built on grit and passing football.What starts as a defensive nightmare spirals into soul-searching: confidence crises for both boys, sideline meltdowns, overthinking, burnout and the heavy emotional load that parent-coaches quietly carry.But woven through the chaos are powerful moments of connection: an unexpected message from Noni Madueke that lifts Alfie from rock bottom, a North London Derby that wipes away a painful morning and two boys showing maturity beyond their years as they confront their weaknesses head-on.On the pitch, the team rebounds with discipline, teamwork and resilience — and off it, Ben and Mike learn to manage their own expectations, rein in catastrophising, and let their kids simply be who they are.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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray joins Ben to reflect on his childhood in grassroots football, the memories that shaped him and the pure joy of playing with friends before the pressures of the professional game took over.He opens up about the car-ride home truths that built his resilience, the emotional tightrope parents walk, and why honest feedback matters — but only when delivered with care. Glenn also reveals what he’s like on the touchline watching his own sons play, how he navigates being “the professional in the crowd,” and why modern youth football sometimes forgets its purpose.Glenn Murray is the 2025/26 Utilita Kids & Girls Cup ambassador. The annual football competition sees more than 20,000 schoolchildren each year take to the pitch for the chance to represent the 72 EFL Clubs across England and Wales, bolstering the existing ties between Clubs and their local communities.The Utilita Kids & Girls Cups inspire children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork, while offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium ahead of major EFL finals. The competition helped discover stars such as Adam Wharton, Jamal Musiala, and Scott McTominay. Find out more here: www.efl.com/competitions/utilita-kids-girls-cupTikTok: 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.