Shouting From The Sidelines

Seven in ten children quit organised sport before they turn 13. A huge part of the reason is how adults speak to them when things go wrong.

In this episode of Shouting from the Sidelines we talk about something that happens every single weekend at grassroots football - coaches and parents who genuinely care, but whose words are quietly doing damage. Not through malice. Just through habit, and not knowing any different.

This episode covers the research behind positive reinforcement in youth sport, the 5:1 Magic Ratio, and what good coaching feedback actually looks and sounds like in practice.

We also breaks down the "connect before correct" principle, explains why asking kids questions beats telling them every time, and gives parents three simple things they can do differently on the sideline this weekend.

Want to join one of our sessions in North and East Leeds? Book a free taster at: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/

Looking to develop your coaching? Browse our ebooks at: https://onlinefootballcourses.com/

Foot-Tech Academy coaches over 1,100 children weekly across North and East Leeds, using a games-based approach built around child development and a genuine love of the game.

New episodes every month.

This month, we were invited onto Robert Ursell's podcast Raising Footballers Unfiltered - and the conversation was too good not to share with with out listeners!

Rob is a former professional footballer and England Futsal international, now based in Dubai where he runs The Futsal Academy.

We have been going back and forth on Instagram for a couple of years - agreeing on some things, pushing back on others and this episode is that conversation in full plus loads more.

We cover:

What is the constraint-led approach and does it actually work?We break down how Foot-Tech structures sessions from the moment kids arrive, why 100% opposed training is non-negotiable and how we get even complete beginners learning through the game.

"They're not ready for opposed training yet" — the biggest myth in youth football?Both coaches address the most common pushback they receive head-on, and share why the research tells a very different story.

Red flags every parent should know aboutFrom sessions that look more like dance rehearsals than football, to coaches using kids as extras in their own highlight reels, to the "we'll get your child scouted" promise - we break down the content and coaching practices parents should be wary of.

Green flags to look for when choosing a sessionIf you've never played football yourself and you're trying to find the right environment for your child, we explain exactly what to look for (and it's simpler than you might think).

Why academy success is not the only measure of successOne of the most important conversations in this episode. We challenge the idea that getting into an academy is the only goal and make the case for what football really gives kids over a lifetime.

What authentic coaching content actually looks likeAs two coaches who both put content out regularly, we talk honestly about the difference between content that genuinely helps parents and content that's just selling a dream.

This one is honest, unfiltered and packed with stuff every football parent in the UK needs to hear.

To find more out about Rob and The Futsal Academy see here - https://thefutsalacademyuae.com/

Coaches, for games-based session plans that we use at Foot-Tech head over to https://onlinefootballcourses.com/

If you're a parent in Leeds looking for a high quality, fun football training program for your child come along for a free taster session at one of our classes - https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/

Some parents think 1-to-1 football coaching is the fastest way to help their child improve…but the reality is more nuanced than that.

In this episode, we break down what we’ve learned from delivering over 1,000 one-to-one football sessions with young players.

We talk about why parents seek out 1-to-1s, what they’re really hoping for, and what these sessions can (and can’t) realistically do.

We also share where 1-to-1 coaching genuinely helps, where it can actually hold players back, and how it fits into a child’s overall football development.

If you’re considering 1-to-1 coaching for your child, this will give you a clear, honest understanding of whether it’s the right step and how to approach it properly.

In this episode, we cover:

Why parents look for 1-to-1 football coaching
What parents really mean when they make certain requests
What 1-to-1 sessions can’t fix
Where 1-to-1 coaching can make a real difference
Who benefits most (and who may not)
When 1-to-1s can work against development
What good 1-to-1 coaching actually looks like
Why environment matters more than just “more training”

This is an honest conversation designed to help you make better decisions for your child’s development without the noise of social media.

If you found this helpful subscribe for more parent-first insights into children’s football and development.

Parents in Leeds, try one of our football sessions - https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/

Grassroots football coaches, check out our games-based session plans to use with your team - https://onlinefootballcourses.com

Sometimes the hardest part of parenting in sport is accepting where your child is right now.

In this short solo episode, we talk about why parents often feel pressure to push children into higher groups, A teams, or “elite” squads and why development doesn’t always work that way.
We explore:

Why comparison creates pressure
What “development isn’t linear” actually means
When challenge helps and when it becomes too much
Why playing with better players doesn’t automatically lead to improvement
What a good coach is really thinking when they suggest a different group

This episode isn’t about holding children back.It’s about giving them the right environment to build confidence, keep enjoying football and develop at their own pace.

If you’re a parent feeling unsure, pressured or worried your child is “behind”, this one is for you.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and subscribe.

Join our football sessions in Leeds: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/

Grassroots coaching drills & ebooks: https://onlinefootballcourses.com/

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?”