It's Only Kids Football

Ben Welch and Mike Clark
  • 3.3 (4)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad. He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football. It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football. Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    We answer your toughest kids' football questions

    In this bonus episode, Ben and Mike tackle the realities of grassroots football through listener questions and stories from the community. They explore key debates like competition vs development, managing long losing streaks and what to do when training sessions fall apart. They reflect on the pressures volunteer coaches face, the importance of parent support, and the risk of burnout, while also celebrating the emotional highs — last-minute winners, promotions, and proud dad moments. From sideline behaviour to player development and grassroots chaos, it’s always worth it. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    What we learned coaching our own kids this season

    As the season wraps up, Ben and Mike take a brutally honest look back at the highs, lows, and everything in between — from standout performances and unforgettable goals to moments they’d rather forget as coaches and parents. They revisit the team’s development across the year, celebrating the progress in confidence, teamwork, and style of play, while also acknowledging the emotional challenges of coaching their own children. The conversation digs into the reality of end-of-season reflection: the pride in how far the boys have come, mixed with regret over moments where frustration took over and lessons were learned the hard way. Beyond the football itself, they explore how their coaching mindset has evolved—learning to let go of results, communicate more effectively, and understand that effort, decision-making, and consistency are all part of a child’s development journey. It’s a candid look at what improvement really looks like, both on the pitch and on the sidelines. Along the way, they share their favourite memories, toughest moments, biggest lessons, and what they want to do differently next season. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 12min

  3. 27 APR

    Why your child plays like two different footballers

    Why does your child sometimes look like two completely different footballers? Ben and Mike explore the frustrating but fascinating reality of inconsistency in youth players—where confidence, mood, environment and even small moments in a game can completely change a child’s performance. From training intensity to matchday mentality, they unpack why the “switch” can flick on and off so dramatically. They also reflect on how factors off the pitch—like school, health worries, or even the dynamic of being coached by a parent—can quietly influence effort levels and decision-making. It’s a reminder that what looks like laziness or lack of focus is often something more complex, and understanding the “why” is key to supporting development. Along the way, they discuss the impact of confidence swings, the importance of patience when progress isn’t linear, and how coaches and parents can respond when effort drops without damaging a child’s love for the game. They also tackle a range of listener questions, including how to manage parent behaviour on the sidelines without burning out, setting boundaries as a volunteer coach, and navigating the challenges of growing squads. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 5min

  4. 20 APR

    Why separating players by ability doesn’t work

    In this episode, Ben and Mike welcome Chris Ramsey onto the pod. One of the most respected voices in player development and coaching in the English game, Ramsey's career spans roles at QPR, Tottenham, and the FA. He has worked across academy football, first-team management, and coach education, helping shape not just players, but better coaches and environments. Together, they unpack the real challenges of grassroots football: coaching mixed ability groups, building confidence in young players, and managing the pressures that come from parents and expectations. You’ll learn why keeping sessions simple often beats copying elite tactics, how repetition and structure accelerate development, and why communication—not drills—is the most important coaching skill. They also tackle the debate around positions, explain how to create a positive environment where kids enjoy the game, and share practical insights to help volunteer coaches get the best out of every player. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min

  5. 13 APR

    Should kids have set positions in grassroots football? Our response sparked a backlash

    Is advertising for specific positions in youth football the right approach for development? Ben and Mike debate whether recruiting for roles like “defenders only” is a practical necessity or risks pigeonholing players too early, shaping how they see themselves on the pitch. They also discuss why losing is essential for growth, how competition builds resilience, and what lessons really stick when things don’t go your way. It’s a reminder that, while winning feels great, it’s often the tough moments—the missed chances, poor decisions and defeats—that teach children the most, even if they’re harder for parents to watch. They also look at how the close proximity and constant instruction between parent and child in training can quickly spark tension, misunderstandings and those all-too-familiar flashpoints. There are positives too, as elements from recent training—particularly around shooting and decision-making—begin to show up in matches, reinforcing the idea that repetition and patience do pay off over time. Alongside this, they tackle the practical realities of grassroots football, including how best to trial a new player without disrupting the group or placing too much pressure on the individual. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 16min

  6. 6 APR

    6 lessons from a pro goalkeeper that will transform your child’s confidence

    What’s it really like for a child playing the most pressured position on the pitch? In this episode, Salford City goalkeeper Mark Howard shares honest insights from academy football at Arsenal to parenting his own son. Coaches and parents will learn how to build confidence, handle mistakes, and support kids through the emotional highs and lows of goalkeeping. From simple “reset” techniques to smarter warm-ups and sideline behaviour, this conversation is packed with relatable stories and practical advice. If you’ve ever watched your child struggle after conceding or wondered how to help them enjoy football again this episode is essential listening. Download kit design form: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast#552550290 Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 2min

  7. 30 MAR

    When adults go too far at kids football… Do you step in?

    In this episode, Ben and Mike, talk about their experience of loud adult spectators unintentionally overwhelming young players. The hosts reflect on balancing resilience with responsibility, questioning when to step in and highlighting how adult behaviour on the sidelines can shape a child’s experience. They discuss the science of "preclude constraints", using the powerful analogy of Kyrie Irving practising on a broken backboard to explain why intentionally making training difficult—by blocking the "easy path"—is essential for developing player creativity and resilience. Beyond the tactics, the duo explores the "happiness of the pursuit", a concept inspired by a Jimmy Carr podcast, where the comedian makes the point that the satisfaction of the journey comes from the struggle itself, rather than just the result. They discuss the eeriness of playing a match during a "silent weekend", and Ben shares a poignant realisation: the day his son stops playing is approaching faster than he would like. It is a timely reminder to coaches and parents to stop wishing away the tough times and instead cherish the messy, rewarding reality of the grassroots journey before it is gone. Download kit design form: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast#552550290 Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 7min

  8. 23 MAR

    The ultimate defensive cheat code for grassroots football

    Every grassroots coach faces the same nightmare: a defence that’s "all over the place" and young players who just want to be on the ball. In this episode, Ben and Mike, chat with Mac Smith, a football director and coach at Moreton City Excelsior FC in Australia’s Queensland NPL, who reveals why traditional tactical plans fail young players and how to instead build "defensive habits" that stick. Learn the high-reward scoring game that makes kids love winning the ball back, the "Gabriel & Saliba" method for teaching positioning, and the "click moment" for stopping ball-watching. Mac explains how to stop treating defending like a boring chore and start building a solid foundation. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 7min
See All (94)

Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad. He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football. It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football. Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Welch and Mike Clark
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ben Welch
  • Show Website
    It's Only Kids Football

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