Shouting From The Sidelines

• #46 A & B Teams in Grassroots Football: Good or Bad?

  Should young footballers be placed into A & B teams?Is it helping their development or holding them back?In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of ability-based team selection in grassroots football, how it affects player confidence, development, and motivation, and what parents and coaches need to know.Key Topics Discussed:- Why do clubs use A & B teams in youth football- Do B-team players get left behind?- The impact on confidence, self-esteem, and development- Late bloomers vs. early developers - Does early selection matter?- Solutions: How can clubs do better?- Advice for parents & coaches on supporting young playersIf your child has ever been placed in a B team or you're a coach navigating team selection, this episode is for you! Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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• #45 Why We Ditched Ladders & Hurdles for Real Football Speed & Agility

  Are agility ladders and hurdles really making your child or players faster on the pitch?For Football Parents & Coaches - whether you're coaching a team or supporting your child’s football journey, these insights will help you maximize their development.In this episode, we break down why traditional speed drills don’t translate to real football movement and what you should be doing instead.What You’ll Learn:Why agility ladders & hurdles don’t improve true football speedThe difference between quick feet & real agility in match situationsWhat science says about reaction-based training vs. rehearsed drillsBetter ways to train speed & agility for young footballersHow to help your child or players move faster & smarter in real games

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• #44 How Much Football Is Too Much? The Balance Every Parent Needs to Know

  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!

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• #43 Part 2 The Games-Based Model: What It Is & Why We Use It

  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 beginnersHow kids learn the ‘skills’ they need without us doing unopposed ball masteryThe difference between football technique & skillIs there a place for unopposed football training?Why it’s so important to maximise the time you have with your playersEnjoy and let us know your thoughts.Links to reading/courses discussed:FCE coaching courses: Football Coach EvolutionBooks by Rob Gray: https://perceptionaction.com/book/Research paper: “Train as you play”: Improving effectiveness of training in youth soccer players

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• #42 The Games-Based Model: What It Is & Why We Use It (Part 1)

  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: What is a games-based approach to football coaching What are 'constraints' and how we use them to make sure our players learn and improve for football Why we stopped SAQ at our sessions How to really coach decision-making Why aren't all coaches using this method? The difference between learning and performing ...and loads more. Let us know what you think and any questions you have.

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