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 beginners

How kids learn the ‘skills’ they need without us doing unopposed ball mastery

The difference between football technique & skill

Is there a place for unopposed football training?

Why it’s so important to maximise the time you have with your players

Enjoy and let us know your thoughts.

Links to reading/courses discussed:

FCE coaching courses: Football Coach Evolution

Books 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:

...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