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.
#65 Your Child Is Behind at Football? Here's the Fastest Way to Catch Up
Is your child behind the other kids at football? Wondering if 1-to-1 training will help them catch up?
This month I answer a question from a dad whose eight-year-old joined his team late and is a full year behind. He asked about one-to-ones. Here’s what I told him, and what actually helps a child catch up the fastest.
In this episode:
Why 1-to-1 football training gets mis-sold
How to fix toe poking with a simple drill at home
Why one-to-ones can’t build spatial awareness or match concentration
The fastest way to close the gap
When 1-to-1s are actually worth it
3 questions to ask before you book 1-to-1 coaching
Got a question about your child’s football? Send it in and it could be the next episode.
Foot-Tech Academy: children’s football coaching in Leeds for ages 2 to 14.
Join our session in Leeds: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/
Get our grassroots coaching resources: https://onlinefootballcourses.com/
21 Sept 2026
#64 Playing Up in Youth Football: What Nobody Tells Parents
Does playing up an age group actually make your child better at football?
Plenty of parents think it does. And sometimes it can help. But nobody talks about the hidden costs of always playing up, and that's what this episode is all about.
I break down how kids really improve at football through gradual overload, and why rushing them into older or higher ability groups can cost them their enjoyment, their time with their mates and the time and space they need to actually develop.
I explain when playing up does make sense, like for the bigger, stronger child who needs a level playing field, and why even academy players can benefit from one easier session a week where they can relax, try things and be top dog again.
I share how an underload session helped a Man City academy player and why two of our former players came back to us from academies just to play.
I also cover the child who's struggling and needs dropping down, why parents need to take ego out of it, and where to find the right sessions for your child. And I finish with the story of a dad who was worried his 5 year old would pick up bad habits at a holiday camp.
Kids just want to play. Let them play.
Foot-Tech Academy sessions and holiday camps in Leeds: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/
Coaches, check out Online Football Courses: https://onlinefootballcourses.com/?gi=a5c1a13bb6887e052044a8c3ca01d318467a4c6e
Enjoying the podcast? Follow the show and leave us a review. It really does help.
5 Aug 2026
#63 My Son Was Released For Being "Too Small" - Here's What I'd Actually Do
A friend's son, 13, has just been released from his JPL team for physicality, not football ability.
In this episode I share the advice I gave, what I'd do if it was my own child, and why the obvious first move (gym work, extra one-to-ones) can actually hold kids back.
A must-listen for any football parent who's been here or worried they might be.
Subscribe for more from Shouting from the Sidelines.
Join a Foot-Tech Academy session at foot-techacademy.co.uk (https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/) or explore our coaching courses at onlinefootballcourses.com (https://onlinefootballcourses.com/).
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
311,553
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
4.8 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
68
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