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Why do children keep making the same “mistakes” in matches even when they seem to know what to do in training?
In this episode, we explore a common frustration for parents and grassroots coaches and explain why the answer is often not a lack of skill.
During games, children aren’t consciously recalling instructions or techniques. Instead, they rely on habits - the behaviours and decisions they’ve repeated most often in their football experiences.
That’s why:
Players can look confident in training but freeze or play safe in matches
The same mistakes keep showing up on game day
Constant instructions from the sidelines rarely lead to better decisions
We discuss:
How decision-making in football is largely unconscious
The difference between training performance and match behaviour
Why habits matter more than instructions
What parents and coaches can focus on to support better long-term development
This episode is for:
Parents trying to understand what they’re seeing on match days
Grassroots coaches looking to improve decision-making without adding pressure
Anyone interested in child development through sport
Useful links
Online resources for grassroots coaches:
👉 https://onlinefootballcourses.com
Leeds-based parents, try one of our sessions:
👉 https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/
If you enjoy this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a parent or coach who’s asked, “why does this keep happening?”
By Luke TowningWhy do children keep making the same “mistakes” in matches even when they seem to know what to do in training?
In this episode, we explore a common frustration for parents and grassroots coaches and explain why the answer is often not a lack of skill.
During games, children aren’t consciously recalling instructions or techniques. Instead, they rely on habits - the behaviours and decisions they’ve repeated most often in their football experiences.
That’s why:
Players can look confident in training but freeze or play safe in matches
The same mistakes keep showing up on game day
Constant instructions from the sidelines rarely lead to better decisions
We discuss:
How decision-making in football is largely unconscious
The difference between training performance and match behaviour
Why habits matter more than instructions
What parents and coaches can focus on to support better long-term development
This episode is for:
Parents trying to understand what they’re seeing on match days
Grassroots coaches looking to improve decision-making without adding pressure
Anyone interested in child development through sport
Useful links
Online resources for grassroots coaches:
👉 https://onlinefootballcourses.com
Leeds-based parents, try one of our sessions:
👉 https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/
If you enjoy this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a parent or coach who’s asked, “why does this keep happening?”

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