About this episode

Ciaran Deely and Ross Bennett discuss the intricacies of coaching youth players and the importance of long-term development in sports.

🎙️ The Locker Room Podcast – Coaching Series 🎧 Episode: Coaching the Child & Youth Player at Foundation Phase (FP) & Youth Development Phase (YDP): How We Actually Develop Players Host: Ciaran Deely (DSS Coaching)Guest: Ross Bennett (Head of Integrated Performance, QPR FC) In this episode, Ciaran is joined by Ross Bennett for a practical conversation on what long-term player development really looks like — from U9s to senior level. 📌 Topics include:• 🔍 What “development” actually means• 🧠 What to focus on at different age grades• 🎯 Balancing freedom and structure• 🎲 Why variety & unstructured play matters• 📈 What separates players who progress Listen here:Apple: http://buff.ly/3mgU6IUSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00XRjE5PtPYX66yTVaPiL2?si=d7dfd3b266cb45d1YouTube: http://buff.ly/36sGDJ2 🎓 The Locker Room Podcast is brought to you by www.DSScoaching.ie – your home for Gaelic Football & Hurling coaching content. 🧠 Membership includes:• Weekly GAA coaching & S&C videos• CPD webinars, eBooklets & blogs• Online Certificate in Sports Performance Coaching• Private coaching forums & member discounts 💶 Membership Options:€15/month or…

People in this episode

Host: Ciaran Deely

Guest: Ross Bennett

Topics covered

• player development
• youth coaching
• foundation phase
• youth development phase
• long-term development
• freedom and structure
• unstructured play

Keywords

• youth player development
• coaching
• foundation phase
• youth development phase
• long-term player development
• freedom in coaching
• structured play

Sponsors

DSS Coaching

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: QPR FC

More episodes of The Locker Room Podcast - from DSS Coaching

• 'Talent ID in the Youth Development Phase (YDP)' - with Ciaran Deely & Ross Bennett · May 25, 2026 · 45 min
• 'Video Analysis for Coaches – From Match Prep to Player Development' - with Ciaran Deely & Ross Bennett · March 25, 2026 · 41 min
• 'How to be a great Assistant Coach!' - with Ciaran Deely & Ross Bennett · March 12, 2026 · 43 min
• What should a new Manager & Head Coach focus on? - with Ross Bennett MSc · February 26, 2026 · 11 min
• Coaching Roundtable with John Divilly, Aidan O'Rourke, Shane Keegan, & Steven Poacher · December 2, 2025 · 31 min
• Managers, Head Coaches, Specialists & Selectors - What's the Story? · November 18, 2025 · 45 min

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