Show Notes
What really helps young footballers improve? In this episode, hosts Ben and Mike sit down with Jason and Neil from Rondos Academy to uncover the coaching principles they've learned from more than 15 years of developing grassroots players.
From the importance of patience and creating engaging training sessions to the technical skills children should really be practising, this conversation is packed with practical advice for volunteer coaches, parents and anyone involved in youth football.
They discuss why competition can transform learning, how to support players of all abilities, what children should focus on during the summer and why long-term development matters far more than short-term results.
Get your team a free £300 Discount Football Kits voucher by using our exclusive link to collect subscriptions through GoCardless at https://www.itsonlykidsfootball.com/offers
Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/
Sign up for the newsletter here: https://www.itsonlykidsfootball.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/ Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from It's Only Kids Football
In Part Two of this deep dive with Paul Barry — Head of coaching at Football DNA with experience at Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and Watford — Ben and Mike breaks down how to bring professional academy standards to grassroots teams.
In this episode Ben and Mike get honest about the pressure, obsession, and guilt that come with volunteer coaching. After taking their U11s to play Ipswich Town’s Category 1 Academy, a tough 80-minute lesson prompts a powerful reality check on expectations, burnout and remembering that at the end of the day, you're just a dad doing your best.
What actually happens when a grassroots team takes on a Premier League Academy? In this episode, Ben and Mike break down their recent clash against Ipswich Town Under-10s —from holding their own in a 3-2 thriller to facing a brutal second-half reality check. Joined by Paul Barry, Head of Coaching at Football DNA with experience at Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Watford, the guys dissect the massive gap between grassroots and academy setups.
Ben and Mike break down a bittersweet weekend on the touchline. The main talking point revolves around the Under-11s’ gutting 3-1 derby opening-day loss to their local rivals, the Blues.
In the final episode of this six-part series, Ben and Mike join child development early childhood learning specialist Laura Mellor-Bachman to reveal how grassroots football coaches can build a united front with parents.