Shouting From The Sidelines

As parents, we all want to see our children thrive, but is there such a thing as too much football training? In this episode, we dive into the delicate balance between helping your child develop their skills and ensuring they don’t lose their love for the game. We’ll discuss the signs of overtraining, why rest and recovery are just as important as practice, and how to recognize if your child’s schedule is too demanding. You’ll also hear insights into the value of unstructured play, trying multiple sports, and how to create a training routine that supports both their physical and emotional well-being. Whether you’re a parent or a coach, this episode will give you the tools to make sure young players stay passionate, happy, and injury-free as they grow. Tune in to learn how to foster a healthy football journey for your child!

Part 2 of our chat about the games-based model approach to children’s coaching.Here we discuss:How to use the game-based approach with beginnersHow kids learn the ‘skills’ they need without us doing unopposed ball masteryThe difference between football technique & skillIs there a place for unopposed football training?Why it’s so important to maximise the time you have with your playersEnjoy and let us know your thoughts.Links to reading/courses discussed:FCE coaching courses: Football Coach EvolutionBooks by Rob Gray: https://perceptionaction.com/book/Research paper: “Train as you play”: Improving effectiveness of training in youth soccer players

A few years ago we completely changed the way we coach at our football sessions. We'd previously had a big part of our sessions made up of individual ball-mastery and 'skills' work. In this episode we discuss: What is a games-based approach to football coaching What are 'constraints' and how we use them to make sure our players learn and improve for football Why we stopped SAQ at our sessions How to really coach decision-making Why aren't all coaches using this method? The difference between learning and performing ...and loads more. Let us know what you think and any questions you have.

One of the hardest things for a grassroots football manager to deal with is when a player is being left behind...and it starts to become obvious.It is a difficult thing to communicate to parents but we offer some help and advice in this video on how to navigate it.Often times a young footballer being left behind in terms of improving comes down to 2 things.We discuss what they are and how best to handle each situation.Don’t forget to subscribe so you're notified of all our new episodes.

Spend 10 mins at any junior football match and we all but guarantee you'll hear one of old cliché football phrases shouted from the sidelines. But a lot of what is being said is of little use and, if anything, does more harm than good when it comes to the football development of children. What are the things we should avoid? And what should you be shouting, if shouting anything at all? Listen now to find out.

'I would like to live in a healthier, happier world and I believe in using the power of sport to positively drive the changes to make this a reality.' - Jordan Liburd. We sat down with our very own Jordan Liburd who has the very unique experience of running a grassroots team, being on a club committee, coaching at Foot-Tech, refereeing and also undertaking leadership roles within the FA. On top of that he also works in biomedical research...a very busy man! He's been there and done it when it comes to grassroots football and he talks openly about the ups, downs and everything in-between. This is a good one for football parents to really understand the amount of effort that goes into running a junior team and for grassroots coaches to take some ideas on how to create the right environment for your players.

The demand for one to one football coaching is increasing - but is it worth it? 121 football training has been part of our business for almost 10 years. We’ve coached all ages & abilities and have done upwards of 1000+ sessions between our coaching team. We’ve tried and tested all sorts of different ideas, football drills and equipment. Are they right for everyone? What are the benefits (if any)? We go through everything in this video and give our honest thoughts and opinion based on past experience and knowledge. Feel free to comment with any questions or thoughts.

We recently spent a week in Portugal on an FC Evolution coaching course. It’s the second FCE course we’ve done and it once again did not disappoint. This time we had the added bonus of being able to watch and analyse training sessions with Braga’s u15’s delivered by Raymond Verheijen (ex Holland, South Korea, Chelsea, Man City & Barca coach). We learnt loads on this course. In this episode we talk through some of key takeaways that really stood out and that football-parents and coaches will be interested to hear.

In this episode, we look into the fascinating world of the Relative Age Effect and its implications for young football players. We discuss the issues that can come for early and late developers and how parents and coaches can offer support. We explore how birthdate can influence a child's athletic development, opportunities, and potential pitfalls in the youth football world. Whether you're a seasoned football parent or new to the game, understanding this phenomenon is crucial for supporting your child's journey in football. We'll also provide actionable tips to help you navigate this often-overlooked aspect of junior football that continues to play a big part in the development and enjoyment of young players.

Ever wondered why some young footballers stop improving? Well, you're about to find out! In today's episode we unravel the top 4 reasons why some young footballers excel while others seem to hit a plateau. Through years of coaching experience and countless interactions with young players, we've identified key areas where attention is needed. But, have you ever asked yourself if your child is truly enjoying their football journey, or if they're in the right environment that nurtures their growth? From discussing the critical importance of adequate training frequency to the nuanced dynamics of coaching quality and environment fit, we delve deep into youth football development. This conversation isn't just about identifying areas for improvement; it's about actionable insights. How can you, as a parent or coach, facilitate a more enriching footballing experience for your child? Is it through embracing more playtime in the park with friends, or perhaps seeking out football camps that offer intensive skill honing? We also tackle the often-overlooked aspect of personal desire and enjoyment in football. It's a candid exploration of what truly motivates young players and how this understanding can radically transform their developmental trajectory. Plus, we share practical applications, like specific drills and strategies, to immediately elevate training sessions. Whether you're a coach looking to refine your approach or a parent aiming to support your child's football aspirations, this video is packed with valuable takeaways.In our community, we believe in the power of shared knowledge and experiences. So, we'd love to hear your thoughts and stories. How have you navigated the challenges of youth football development? What strategies have worked for you? Drop your insights in the comments below, and let's learn from each other. For more rich discussions and expert advice on football training, coaching, and youth development, make sure to subscribe to our channel. And don't forget to visit the Foot-Tech Academy website for detailed information on our classes, coaching philosophy, and upcoming football camps Foot-Tech Academy is a children’s football coaching school in Leeds.  For more about what we do visit our website - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk Join our football classes in Leeds: 5-14 year olds - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/football-sessions 2-4 year old (pre-school football) - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/3-4-year-old-football-training 121 football coaching - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/1-2-1-coaching  School holiday camps - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/school-holidays

As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children, especially when it comes to their interests and passions. But in the world of youth football, how do we strike the right balance between nurturing our kids' love for the game and inadvertently pressuring them to excel? In this insightful video, we delve into the delicate balance of fostering football passion in children without overwhelming them with parental expectations. Discover practical tips and strategies for creating a supportive environment where children can develop a genuine obsession for football on their terms so it is them, not us, who are obsessed. Foot-Tech Academy is a children’s football coaching school in Leeds.  For more about what we do visit our website - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk Join our football classes in Leeds: 5-14 year olds - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/football-sessions 2-4 year old (pre-school football)-  https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/3-4-year-old-football-training 121 football coaching - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/1-2-1-coaching  School holiday camps - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/school-holidays

How to coach mixed-abilities - a question we get asked a lot. Coaching football is hard enough but when you need to balance different ability levels it becomes even harder! We have a lot of experience of this at Foot-Tech as we welcome all abilities and often times we have children who are late to football, which can make things even trickier. In this episode we go through some of our best tips for coaching mixed ability football training sessions. Some are obvious, some are maybe ones you haven't thought about. Always keen to get the views of others so please do share your ideas. Parents, if you have a beginner player and you're worried about how to get them involved in football training because you feel they'll be too far behind... Speak to us about how we can help. Find more details out about our football coaching school by visiting our website: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk

Are you a coach who still teaches dribbling, passing etc in isolation? i.e. without defenders on in a game-situation? Are you a parent who watches their child's football training sessions and sees nothing but kids dribbling around cones or passing in two's? It has long being believed that we need to teach young players 'skills', 'the fundamentals' before we can put them into a match. But there isn't any research or evidence to say this is the best way. There is, however, loads of research into how the fundamentals can be developed in a way that actually makes kids better at football. In this episode we look at that and explain the best way for children of all ages to be taught the basics and how it is time for more coaches (and parents) to see a better way of training junior footballers. Credit to Rob Gray for loads of information on this area. You can listen to the episode of his podcast discussing the study here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/58qIslhHeSajj0b1OSoH1j?si=XlK1o8QYTRSrLHuZmweP3A Join our football classes in Leeds: 5-14 year olds - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/football-sessions 2-4 year old (pre-school football)- https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/3-4-year-old-football-training 121 football coaching - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/1-2-1-coaching School holiday camps - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk/school-holidays

Imagine playing professional football then having it all taken away in one moment. Luke Lyons went from grassroots football to academy through to professional. As as a youngster he was highly regarded at Leeds United and was part of the league-winning u18 side that had many players who have since gone onto big things in professional football. He eventually played professional for Airdrieonians FC in the Scottish Championship after a short stint with Bradford Park Avenue. Unfortunately, he had it cruelly taken away from him due to injury and is now coaching the next generation with his time split between coaching at Foot-Tech, Leeds United and Notre Dame College. He sits down with us to tell his story of all the ups and downs along the way. We discuss: Why junior footballers DO NOT need to be in academies at 5 years old to make it (he is proof of this) Why joining a grassroots team later in Primary School actually helped him How playing street football (even when in the academy system) massively helped his development What he wishes he’d have done differently when playing for Leeds United Academy The difference he sees with high-level grassroots footballers compared to academy kids How his parents helped and supported him (plus advice to current football parents)  What he learnt from playing against Jude Bellingham The way he sees football going in the future and how we need to develop kids for the future game And much much more. This was such a great chat and there’s loads for parents to take away from it. We hope you enjoy listening.

Easily one of the most common things parents ask us - how can I get my child to tackle? It’s a tough thing to coach in football terms. It can come down to mindset and mentality BUT the good news is there is something parents and coaches can do to help youth players. It’s a little tip that can also be applied to many other areas in football, not just tackling. Have a listen and comment with any questions.

We've learnt a lot about child development and parenting in almost a decade of running Foot-Tech. And we've learnt so much over the last 12 months when we've been going into primary schools to deliver PE. It's been an eye-opener to see some general changes in children which we think are a concern for them now and most certainly in the future. Listen to find out our 2 biggest worries and what parents can do to help.

So many youth footballers are made to play in 1 position which they are then led to believe is 'their' position. Young players miss out on so much football development as a result. Playing in multiple positions helps improve players technically and tactically. Whether you're a coach or a parent listen to find out why this simple thing is so good for the individual player and the team as a whole.

A question we get asked a lot - does my child need to be in a football team? A lot of parents are worried that if they can't get their child into a team then it may hamper their development or they may feel they aren't giving their child the best opportunity to progress. This episode explains why you DO NOT need to worry so long as you're ticking a few other boxes in terms of the things you are providing them with. We look at how, in some cases, joining a team could be detrimental to their enjoyment and development. And we also discuss what to watch out for when joining a team.

In this episode we discuss why winning all the time might not be the best thing for children in football. There’s a fine line between winning as a team and improving as an individual football player. We discuss some of the red-flags to watch out for when picking a team/coach for your player and what might actually be a better option for their development. A must-listen for sport parents. Foot-Tech Academy is a children’s football coaching school in Leeds.  For more about what we do visit our website - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk

Looking to help your child become a more confident with their football? In this episode, we'll share four expert tips to help kids of all ages and skill levels improve their game. Listen to understand more about some really simple, easy to do things that we've found to help children improve not just for football but their overall fundamental movement and confidence. For any more advice just drop us a message and don't forget to subscribe to the show.