Communicating well with parents is one of the most important parts of grassroots coaching, and it can be one of the most challenging. But with the right approach, it can transform the experience for everyone involved.

In this episode, FA coach developer Mark Leigh returns to Coachcast to share practical communication tips to help coaches build positive relationships with parents and handle tricky situations calmly and confidently.

We explore how coaches can plan their communication effectively, adapt their style for different audiences, and avoid common communication mistakes when emotions are running high.

If you’re aiming to create a more collaborative environment around your team, and prevent mixed messages for players, this episode will give you the tools to manage relationships in a positive way.

Covered in this episode:

• what effective communication looks like for coaches

• how to plan what you say before a session

• the ‘all, some, few’ approach to communicating with players

• how to get relationships with parents right from the start

• dealing with parents who coach from the sidelines

• when to address issues in the moment and when not to

• tips for de-escalating tense situations

• the most common communication mistake coaches make

• and more...

⁠⁠Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/47pSlmd)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

Webinar | How might I get the support of parents and carers in my sessions and on matchday? - https://youtu.be/yUATWyaPhm0?si=sVFcDy3hho7pXk-S

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

From the nerves and pressure of the run-up to matchday to the highs and lows of winning or losing, emotions are part of football.

For young players in particular, these emotions can feel overwhelming. They can affect their performance and their enjoyment of the game, and in turn, the rest of the team. That’s why coaches have a huge role to play in helping them manage these emotions.

In this episode, The FA’s Loz Lok returns to Coachcast to share practical advice for helping players manage their emotions and behaviour.

Whether it’s handling nerves, bouncing back from a loss, or celebrating a win the right way, this episode will give you actionable steps to help players develop and keep coming back for more – even in challenging times.

Covered in this episode:

• the common behaviours in young players that may need managing
• how to reduce emotional stress in your environment
• spotting individual triggers and adapting for players’ needs
• managing emotions
• small tweaks that make a big difference in sessions
• a simple trick for keeping player attention during pre-session talks
• helping players manage emotions on the pitch on matchday
• post-match behaviour tips
• how to maintain a supportive environment
• and more…

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

Matchday can be one of the most stressful times for players and coaches. From pre-game warmups to full-time talks, emotions are high and it can feel overwhelming.

That’s why, in this episode, Amanda Greenslade returns to Coachcast to share her advice on how experienced coaches can manage matchday with confidence and get the most out of the day, whatever the outcome.

Amanda breaks down the key moments of matchday and how to handle them in ways that reduce stress and keep the focus on player development without sacrificing enjoyment.

If you’re looking for ways to keep matchday a positive experience, this episode is packed with insights you can put into action right away.

• How to prepare for matchday and what never to do before a game.
• How ages and stages affect matchday prep.
• Managing your response as a competitive coach.
• Top tips for touchline communication.
• How to deliver effective half-time and full-time talks.
• Working with support staff and parents on matchday.
• Tips for making decisions you won’t regret during the game.
• Balancing development with enjoyment.
• Managing substitutions and making every player feel like a game changer.
• The one thing every grassroots coach should do before a game.

What separates a good training session from a great one?

In part two of our ultimate guide to training with Katie Sorenson, we dive into the details that make the difference for coaches.

In this episode, we cover a range of essential training topics from recognising when players are engaged, to adapting for different needs, to making interventions that move the session forward rather than disrupt it. This episode is packed with practical guidance you can use in your next session.

If you want your players to feel valued and buzzing to come back for more, this is a must-listen. And if you haven’t already, check out part one so you get the complete guide to training.

Covered in this episode:

• what to look for when observing a session and the observation mistakes you might be making
• how to recognise how well sessions are going in the moment
• accounting for different abilities and needs in a session
• the pros and cons of different coaching styles
• why body language matters and how to use it effectively
• making interventions without disrupting the flow
• how to avoid wasted time in training
• how flexible you should be with your plan
• and more…

⁠⁠Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/4nujNG1)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

Do you want every training session to be the highlight of your players’ week?

This episode is your blueprint.

In part one of this ultimate guide to training, Katie Sorenson shares her proven strategies for planning and delivering sessions that players love, while helping them achieve their learning objectives.

From designing practices players respond to, to linking your training seamlessly to match day, you’ll learn how to create an environment where players feel valued and excited to come back next week.

You’ll find tips here on how to plan effectively, even if you’re short on time or the turnout on the day isn’t as expected.

Covered in this episode:

• the most important thing to remember when planning a session

• creating flexible training plans that work no matter how many players show up

• the ‘menu’ strategy for coaches with minimal time

• the biggest mistake coaches make when planning

• practice design principles and how to get them right

• designing sessions players can’t wait to be part of

• making players feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them

• linking training directly to matchday performance

• when and how to adapt your plan mid-session

• and more...

If you haven’t already, subscribe so you don’t miss part two.

⁠Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/3JZwfyS)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

Tournaments are a great way for players to bond and prepare for the season ahead, but they can also present challenges.

In this episode, Emily Senior, an FA regional coach developer, joins us to explore how coaches can make the most out of tournaments.

Pre-season tournaments offer a pressure-free environment for building physical and social skills, and Emily shares practical ideas to help coaches navigate tournament days with more confidence and less stress.

From managing equal game time and supporting nervous players, to using tournaments as a space for development while keeping them fun, Emily offers guidance for both new and experienced coaches.

Covered in this episode:

• top tips for pre-season preparation
• the top three benefits of pre-season tournaments
• what outcomes to focus on beyond just results
• common mistakes coaches make during tournaments and how to avoid them
• how to communicate with players to keep things positive
• ideas to help players build confidence and cope with pressure
• how to structure a tournament for success
• and much more…

Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/4fAfHtf)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

Getting back into training after the summer holidays can be a challenge for players (especially the younger players). Players may be out of practice, their fitness levels can vary, and their focus might not be where it was at the end of last season.

Coaches often face the pressure of trying to rebuild momentum and reconnect with players all while planning engaging sessions.

That’s why, in this episode, Lee Brown returns to Coachcast to share his insights into how coaches can ease players back into training and plan for the season ahead.

Lee shares practical tips for coaches preparing for pre-season so you can start reintroducing movement, building back fitness while keeping sessions fun and avoid the most common pitfalls coaches face during this time.

If you're thinking ahead to your first session or planning out a 6-week block, this episode will help you make a strong start to the season.

In this episode, we cover:

• what a good pre-season plan should look like

• how to reintroduce movement and activity after a break, while keeping players engaged

• the biggest challenges coaches face when players return

• how to train fundamental, locomotive, and football-specific movements together

• the role of other sports in your pre-season plan

• how to mentally prepare players for returning to training

Pre-season is a chance to welcome players back, set the tone for the season ahead, and create an environment where they can thrive.

In this episode, Matt Jones returns to Coachcast to talk about how coaches can prepare for the new season.

From what to do (and the pitfalls to avoid) in your first session back, to building strong relationships with players and parents, Matt shares expert advice for setting yourself up for success.

If you’re looking to make this the best season yet, it all starts with the planning phase, and Matt shares his top strategies to help you get off on the right foot from day one.

In this episode, we cover:

• what to prioritise in your first pre-season session and what to avoid
• how to set the tone for a positive, welcoming environment
• tips for building early relationships with players and parents
• advice for coaches working with their own children
• creating a more inclusive space for everyone and becoming a good ally
• how to approach recruitment fairly
• session ideas to re-engage players
• and much more…

Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/4lBR1ml)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

Format changes are coming to the grassroots game for the 2026-2027 season, and in this episode, you’ll find out exactly what’s changing and why.

John Folwell, head of grassroots coach development, returns to Coachcast to talk about supporting players as they move between formats – from 3v3 to 5v5 and beyond. He also shares a clear breakdown of the new changes coming next season, and how coaches can start preparing now to make the transition easy for coaches and players.

From adapting to different pitch sizes to helping players understand new rules and roles, transitions between formats can have a big impact on development. This episode gives you the tools to support your players if they're transitioning to a larger format and get ahead of the upcoming format changes well before they come into effect.

• what changes are coming to grassroots football next season
• when and how coaches should start preparing for next season
• the impact of changing formats on players and how to support them
• helping players adapt when moving up formats
• why smaller formats still have value, even for older players
• rule changes like the removal of throw-ins for smaller games and what they mean in practice
• first steps you can take now to implement the changes smoothly
• and more...

The off-season is the perfect time to pause and prepare for the season ahead. And by taking time to self-reflect, you can ensure that you make next season count.

That’s why, to kick off season six of Coachcast, FA regional coach developer, Chris Welburn, returns to share his advice for self-reflection.

Self-reflection is a powerful tool that coaches can use to grow. It helps you spot what’s working, what needs to improve, and how to better support your players. By taking time to look back before you look ahead, you’ll move into the new season with more confidence and clarity.

We dive into how to start with self-reflection, and the strategies you can use to evaluate last season, set meaningful goals, and ensure your practice design matches your intended outcomes.

In this episode, we cover:

• why self-reflection is essential for coaches during the off-season
• how to reflect on what really matters
• what to consider from last season when planning ahead
• the three simple questions to guide your self-reflection
• goal-setting for next season using player feedback
• tips for gathering honest and useful feedback from players and peers
• using the ‘plan, do, review model’ to improve your coaching
• how to match your session design with your intended outcomes
• and much more...

⁠Transcript on England Football community⁠⁠ - (https://bit.ly/4n76z2D)

—————

Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning

Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480

⁠YouTube⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)