Shouting From The Sidelines

Luke Towning
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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.

  1. AUG 26

    #51 From Academy Coach to Academy Dad

    What’s it really like being on both sides of academy football — as a coach and as a parent? In this episode we sit down with Leroy McIntosh, a former professional academy coach turned academy dad. Leroy’s journey started at Huddersfield Town before moving into a senior role at Barnsley FC, giving him a front-row seat to the realities of youth development in English football. Now, he’s living it from the other side of the pitch as a football parent. His son has spent time at Leeds United, Manchester United, and Manchester City, before signing for Man City Academy U9s. Leroy joins us to share his unique perspective: the lessons he’s carried over from coaching into parenting, the challenges of academy football, and the advice he’d give to other mums and dads supporting their kids in the system as well as grassroots football in general. In this episode we discuss: What Leroy would change about the academy systemThe key lessons he learnt as a coach that now help him as a football parentPractical tips for mums and dads navigating academy and grassroots footballHow to support your child without adding pressure If you’re a football parent, grassroots coach, or just curious about life inside the academy system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    1h 14m

  2. JUL 14

    #50 Football Fitness For Kids: Everything You Need To Know

    Are you still making kids run laps and do bleep tests to “get fit” for football? There's a better (and more enjoyable way). In this video, we break down: ​What football fitness actually means for kids​Why long runs and isolated drills don’t work​The science behind children's recovery, VO2 max, and strength development​What coaches and parents should do instead​How to build football-specific fitness through play, games, and decision-making Whether you're a grassroots football coach or a football parent, this episode will hopefully help you think differently about football for fitness for kids. No more outdated methods. Let's create enjoyable, effective football training that actually helps kids develop. Research papers/further reading: Manna, I. (2014)Growth, Development and Maturity in Children and Adolescent: Relation to Sports and Physical Activity. Marta, C. et al. (2013)Determinants of Physical Fitness in Prepubescent Children and Its Training Effects. Armstrong, N., & Welsman, J. (2020)The Development of Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness with Reference to Youth Athletes. Bailey, R. et al. (2012)Participant Development in Sport and Physical Activity: The Impact of Biological Maturation. Baxter-Jones, A.D.G. et al. (2005)Controlling for Maturation in Pediatric Exercise Science. Sannicandro, I. et al. (2024)Developing Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Dynamic–Ecological vs. Traditional Training. Viru, A. et al. (1999)Critical Periods in the Development of Performance Capacity in Childhood. Prasad, N. (1996)The Relationship Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Capacities in Prepubertal Children. Granacher, U. et al. (2016)Effects of Resistance Training on Muscular Fitness and Athletic Performance in Youth. Seifert, L. & Davids, K. (2016)Ecological Dynamics: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Sport Performance.

    47 min

  3. JUN 12

    #49 The Power of Play - The Missing Piece in Kids Football?

    Is play the missing piece in your child’s football development and overall well-being? In this episode, we explore why unstructured, free play is crucial for kids—not just for becoming better footballers, but for developing confidence, resilience, creativity, and social skills. From research-backed insights to real coaching experience in Leeds schools and sessions with toddlers to teen. We cover: ⏱️ What’s inside: 00:00 – Intro: Why play is overlooked in football 01:30 – What unstructured play actually means 03:50 – Football skill benefits backed by research 07:10 – The rise in screen time + decline in movement 10:00 – Tips for coaches: how to build play into sessions 13:00 – Tips for parents: how to encourage play at home 17:00 – Final thoughts: blending play with purpose If you're a parent or coach who wants their child to fall in love with football, improve their skills naturally, and grow as a human—not just a player—this episode is a must. Study Credits:- Sustainability Journal (2023) on play vs. structureNybakken & Falco (2022) on skill acquisitionLEGO Foundation on the 6 Cs of developmentPlay-Based Learning as a Tool in Enhancing Physical Skill Development of Children: Hafees Tosin Sulyman1,*, Jawad Olayemi Olosunde1, Akeem Opeyemi Raheem2The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Develoment in Young Children: Michael Yogman, MD, FAAP, Andrew Garner, MD, PhD, FAAP, Jeffrey Hutchinson, MD, FAAP, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD,d Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, PhD,e

    26 min

  4. MAY 21

    #48 How to Help Your Child Focus Better in Football Without Overcoaching

    “Keep your knee over the ball!” “Bend your leg!” “Lock your ankle” If you’ve ever shouted these phrases from the sideline (or heard a coach do it), this episode will change how you give instructions when coaching football or playing with your child in the garden. We break down the powerful difference between internal vs external focus — and why telling kids how to move could actually hurt their performance. You’ll learn: Why telling kids what to do with their body parts is often the wrong during youth footballA quick fix to help kids learn football skills fasterPractical examples of external focus cues that boost performanceMetaphors, missions & mindset shifts for playful, purposeful coaching Whether you're a parent, grassroots coach, or just trying to help your child fall in love with the game, the tips in the episode can really help. Don’t forget to like, comment & subscribe for more content on child development through football. Studies: Influence of attentional focus distance on motor learning of skilled children - Francisco Milton Gonçalves Pereira Júnior, Giordano Marcio Gatinho Bonuzzi Effects of Internal, External and Preference of Attentional Focus Feedback Instructions on Learning Soccer“Head Kick” Bülent Okan Miçooğulları and Sadettin Kirazcı, Ömür Serdal Altunsöz  The Effect of External Focus Distance on Learning Shooting for Beginners Male Soccer Players - Aiman Sarhan A systematic review of motivational and attentional variables on children’s 2 fundamental movement skill development: The OPTIMAL theory. 3 Thomas Simpson, P. Ellison, E. Carnegie and D. Marchant Frequent External-Focus Feedback Enhances Motor Learning - Gabriel Wulf

    25 min

  5. APR 16

    #47 4 BIG Mistakes We've Made Coaching Kids Football (And How to Avoid Them!)

    As kids football coaches, we wish we'd known a few things when we first started. Over the years we've made plenty of mistakes. In this episode, we're sharing 4 of our biggest coaching mistakes and the lessons we've learnt which make for useful tips for grassroots coaches and football parents. This honest, practical discussion is perfect for youth football coaches, grassroots soccer volunteers, football parents and anyone involved in coaching kids. Foot-Tech Academy is a children’s football coaching school in Leeds.  For more about what we do visit our website - https://www.foot-techacademy.co.uk Join our football classes in Leeds: 5-14 year olds 2-4 year old (pre-school football) 121 football coaching School holiday camps

    25 min

  6. MAR 12

    #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 players If 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.

    28 min

  7. FEB 10

    #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

    27 min

  8. JAN 22

    #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!

    27 min
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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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