Shouting From The Sidelines

Luke Towning
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  • Parenting
  • Updated Bimonthly

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.

  1. Sep 21

    #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.

  2. Aug 5

    #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 or explore our coaching courses at onlinefootballcourses.com.

  3. Jul 9

    #62 We Killed Street Football, Here's What Kids Need Instead

    Street football is dying out, and it's not coming back the way it was. In this episode I sit down with Nick from NM One to One Coaching to talk about why, and what kids actually need instead. We get into why free play matters more than structured drills, how academies can accidentally kill a child's love for the game, why intrinsic motivation beats parental pressure every time, and why "late bloomers" so often turn out to be the most naturally gifted players. If you're a football parent, a coach, or someone who grew up playing on the street and wants to understand what's changed, this one's for you. Nick runs NM One to One Coaching in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. Find him on Instagram: nm1_2_1coaching Brought to you by Foot-Tech Academy, coaching over 1,100 children a week across North and East Leeds. Get our coaching ebooks: https://onlinefootballcourses.com Live in Leeds? Get your child involved in our football sessions: https://foot-techacademy.co.uk/

  4. Jun 16

    #61 What Makes a Great Youth Football Coach? (It's Not Football Knowledge)

    What actually makes a great coach? It's not football knowledge. In this episode I explain why, and the six things that genuinely separate the coaches who develop children from the ones who don't. It's not about badges or how much a coach knows. It's how they behave, how they communicate, and the environment they create. I walk through six behaviours that make the real difference, with practical advice for both parents and coaches, and the research that backs it up. Want your child to train with us? Book a taster session: https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk Coaches, get our resources and ebooks: https://onlinefootballcourses.com

  5. May 11

    #60 7 in 10 Kids Quit Football Before They're 13 - Here's Why

    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.

  6. Apr 20

    #59 Red Flags, Green Flags & The Truth About Kids' Football Coaching

    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/

  7. Mar 18

    #58 We’ve Coached 1,000+ 1-to-1 Football Sessions…Here’s What We Learned

    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 coachingWhat parents really mean when they make certain requestsWhat 1-to-1 sessions can’t fixWhere 1-to-1 coaching can make a real differenceWho benefits most (and who may not)When 1-to-1s can work against developmentWhat good 1-to-1 coaching actually looks likeWhy 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

  8. Feb 26

    #57 Accepting Where Your Child Is in Football (Why Pushing Too Soon Can Backfire)

    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 pressureWhat “development isn’t linear” actually meansWhen challenge helps and when it becomes too muchWhy playing with better players doesn’t automatically lead to improvementWhat 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/

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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.

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