Go Football Podcast – Episode 65

Are we developing young footballers or simply asking too much of them?

How much football is too much football?

In this episode of the Go Football Podcast, Steve looks at one of the growing issues in youth and grassroots football: overtraining young players.

With young footballers potentially playing for grassroots clubs, academies, schools, private coaches and representative teams, are we sometimes confusing more training with better development?

This episode explores the physical and mental demands placed on young players and why training load, recovery, sleep, growth and enjoyment all need to be considered when developing children.

Steve discusses:

⚽ How much football is too much?

⚽ Why more training doesn’t always mean more development

⚽ The difference between training volume and training intensity

⚽ Why young players need recovery

⚽ Physical and mental signs that a player may be doing too much

⚽ The impact of growth spurts on young footballers

⚽ Private coaching and the danger of adding more sessions

⚽ Why coaches and parents need to communicate

⚽ The importance of sleep, recovery and enjoyment

⚽ How coaches can manage training loads more effectively

⚽ Why rest should be considered part of player development

Young footballers aren’t miniature adults. They’re constantly growing and developing, and two players of the same age can have very different physical and emotional needs.

The aim isn’t to stop children training.

It’s about making sure we’re giving them the right amount of football at the right time.

Because sometimes the best thing a young player can do for their development isn’t another training session…

It’s rest, recover, have fun and come back ready to play again.

🎧 A must-listen for grassroots coaches, football parents and anyone involved in developing young players.

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Are we developing young footballers… or simply asking them to do too much?

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Go Football Podcast Episode 64 - The First Five Minutes of Training

Why the start of every session could be the most important coaching you’ll do

What if the most important part of your training session isn’t the main practice…

It’s the first five minutes?

In Episode 64 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve explores why the opening moments of every grassroots training session can have a huge impact on player engagement, confidence, learning, and enjoyment.

Whether you’re coaching Under 7s taking their first touches on a football or teenagers preparing for the weekend’s match, the way you start a session can influence everything that follows.

Players don’t arrive at training as blank canvases. They’ve come from school, homework, other sports, family life, and sometimes even a disappointing performance at the weekend. As coaches, our first job isn’t teaching tactics—it’s helping players switch into “football mode.”

Research in education and sports coaching consistently shows that early engagement significantly influences attention, motivation, and learning throughout a session. Studies have also found that players develop technical skills more effectively when they are actively involved from the very beginning, with increased ball contacts leading to greater improvements in confidence, coordination, and decision-making.

In this episode we discuss:

⚽ Why the first five minutes set the emotional tone for the entire session

⚽ How active starts improve learning and player engagement

⚽ The psychology behind confidence and early success

⚽ Why standing in lines can reduce both enjoyment and development

⚽ How every player can maximise their touches from the moment they arrive

⚽ Simple arrival activities every grassroots coach can use immediately

⚽ Why greeting every player individually can strengthen coach-player relationships

⚽ The importance of keeping instructions short and getting players playing quickly

Research into coach-athlete relationships has consistently shown that players who feel valued and connected to their coach are more likely to enjoy training, remain motivated, and continue participating in sport for longer.

Sometimes the smallest moments create the biggest impact.

Because players may not remember every drill you’ve ever planned…

But they’ll always remember how your sessions made them feel.

Whether you’re a new volunteer coach or an experienced UEFA licence holder, this episode is packed with practical ideas that you can take straight onto the training pitch.

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Go Football Podcast – Episode 63

Loyalty in Grassroots Football

Are players loyal… or are they already looking for their next club?

Loyalty in grassroots football has become one of the biggest talking points in the modern game.

Players move clubs more frequently than ever before, families are constantly searching for the next opportunity, and coaches are often left wondering whether the time and effort they’ve invested in developing players is truly appreciated.

But is player loyalty disappearing… or has grassroots football simply changed?

In Episode 63 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve takes an honest and balanced look at one of the most challenging aspects of coaching today players leaving clubs and what it means for everyone involved.

This episode isn’t about criticising players or parents. Sometimes moving clubs is absolutely the right decision. A new challenge, a better fit, or a fresh environment can all be positive reasons to move.

However, this episode also explores the growing trend of players trialling with other clubs behind their coach’s back, how rumours can spread through a team, and the impact that uncertainty can have on dressing room culture and team spirit.

Research into youth sport consistently shows that children are more likely to stay involved in sport when they:

* Enjoy their football

* Feel valued by their coach

* Have strong friendships within the team

* Feel challenged at the right level

* Experience a positive team environment

In this episode we discuss:

⚽ Why players and families decide to move clubs

⚽ Has social media created a “grass is greener” mentality?

⚽ How losing players affects teammates and club culture

⚽ The emotional impact on volunteer grassroots coaches

⚽ Why communication between coaches and parents matters

⚽ How to build a team environment players don’t want to leave

⚽ When moving clubs is the right decision and when it might not be

⚽ How coaches should respond professionally when players leave

One of the biggest findings from youth sport research is that relationships not results are one of the strongest reasons children stay involved in football.

Sometimes loyalty isn’t about the badge…

It’s about the people.

Whether you’re a coach, parent or player, this episode will make you think about what loyalty really means in today’s grassroots game.

📧 Contact the Podcast:

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