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Shouting From The SidelinesAuthor: Luke Towning
The podcast for parents, coaches & teachers involved in children's sport. We've got the best advice from professional sports coaches, pro athletes and everyone in-between to help you through the highs, lows and craziness of kids sport from grassroots to elite level. Brought to you by Foot-Tech Academy. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#55 Q&A - How much training? Mixed Teams? Behaviour Issues?
Friday, 5 December, 2025
In today’s episode, we dive into three BIG questions from grassroots football parents and coaches. The kind of issues every junior football team eventually faces.From mixed-ability under-7 teams, to how much football a young kids should do, to handling misbehaviour and lack of focus…we break it all down with honest, experience-based advice.We start with a dilemma many clubs will recognise: mixed teams vs A/B teams.When some parents want results, others want development, and friendship groups matter…what’s the right answer?This question gives a real insight into just how tough coaching at grassroots level can be, especially when volunteers are caught between player needs and parent expectations.Next, we tackle a huge parent worry: How many football sessions should a young child do?We discuss enjoyment vs overload, balance, spotting signs of genuine passion, and why parent-led pressure can quickly turn football into a job rather than a joy. This is essential viewing for any parent with a football-mad child.Finally, we dig into one of the most common coaching challenges: misbehaviour, lack of focus, and keeping players engaged.We share practical solutions around session design, arrival activities, transitions, behaviour expectations, praise strategies, and communicating with parents.If you coach primary-age footballers, this part is gold. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODEWhy mixed teams can work and when they start causing problemsHow to manage parent expectations without compromising your ethosThe real answer to “How much is too much football for a young child?”Why enjoyment should guide everythingPractical behaviour-management tools that work in real sessionsHow to design sessions that reduce messing about and increase engagementComment on the episode:Tell us — what’s the biggest challenge YOU face as a grassroots parent or coach?Subscribe:So you don’t miss future episodes supporting football parents and coaches.Coaching resources:Visit https://onlinefootballcourses.com/ for ebooks, guides, and practical tools for grassroots coaches.Join our sessions in Leeds:Give your child a fun, pressure-free football environment they’ll love. Try a free taster session - https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/
