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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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#56 Why Kids Keep Making The Same Mistakes (It's NOT Skill)
Wednesday, 21 January, 2026
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 matchesThe same mistakes keep showing up on game dayConstant instructions from the sidelines rarely lead to better decisionsWe discuss:How decision-making in football is largely unconsciousThe difference between training performance and match behaviourWhy habits matter more than instructionsWhat parents and coaches can focus on to support better long-term developmentThis episode is for:Parents trying to understand what they’re seeing on match daysGrassroots coaches looking to improve decision-making without adding pressureAnyone interested in child development through sportUseful linksOnline resources for grassroots coaches:👉 https://onlinefootballcourses.comLeeds-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?”
