What we learned coaching our own kids this season

About this episode

Ben and Mike reflect on their experiences coaching their kids' soccer team, discussing highs, lows, and lessons learned throughout the season.

As the season wraps up, Ben and Mike take a brutally honest look back at the highs, lows, and everything in between — from standout performances and unforgettable goals to moments they’d rather forget as coaches and parents. They revisit the team’s development across the year, celebrating the progress in confidence, teamwork, and style of play, while also acknowledging the emotional challenges of coaching their own children. The conversation digs into the reality of end-of-season reflection: the pride in how far the boys have come, mixed with regret over moments where frustration took over and lessons were learned the hard way. Beyond the football itself, they explore how their coaching mindset has evolved—learning to let go of results, communicate more effectively, and understand that effort, decision-making, and consistency are all part of a child’s development journey. It’s a candid look at what improvement really looks like, both on the pitch and on the sidelines. Along the way, they share their favourite memories, toughest moments, biggest lessons, and what they want to do differently next season. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ben Welch, Mike Clark

Topics covered

• coaching
• youth soccer
• parenting
• team development
• emotional challenges
• reflection

Keywords

• coaching
• youth sports
• parenting
• soccer
• teamwork
• development
• emotional challenges

Sponsors

GoCardless

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Football DNA, Football Discount Kits

More episodes of It's Only Kids Football

• The ultimate 3v3 coaching guide from an elite academy coach · June 8, 2026 · 1h 12m
• What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain · June 1, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score · May 25, 2026 · 1h 1m
• What every coach and parent needs to know about 3v3 · May 22, 2026 · 47 min
• Should you play equal game time in tournament football? · May 18, 2026 · 1h 15m
• Simple coaching language that actually works · May 11, 2026 · 1h 10m