In this episode, Ben and Mike stagger back from their holidays to face the glorious, chaotic mess of youth football pre-season. First up, Mike delivers a classic dad-guilt moment after realising his son wasn't just being lazy—he actually has severe asthma.

The boys then dive into the training pitch, breaking down high-energy 1v1 reaction drills, the 'Rivals' game, and how to stop screaming at your own flesh and blood when a drill goes sideways. Throw in the absolute nightmare of arranging 3v3 friendlies, snide football kits from abroad, and a quick reality check on why we’ll actually miss these freezing, muddy Sunday mornings, and you’ve got classic touchline therapy. Put the kettle on!

Discount Football Kits are offering a special 72-hour deal from 30 August - get your coach’s folder for just £29.95 with FREE delivery (normally £39.95 + delivery): https://discountfootballkits.com/tactics-pad

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

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Why do some coaches instantly capture a group's attention while others spend an entire session repeating themselves? In this episode, hosts Ben and Mike are joined by Laura Mellor-Backman, Director of Curriculum and Training at Stronger Youth Brands and an early childhood learning specialist, to uncover the secret to getting young footballers to actually listen.

Drawing on child development research and years of experience designing programmes for young children, Laura explains why listening isn't about speaking louder - it's about communicating differently.

Together, they explore how body language, storytelling, questioning, structure and play all help children stay engaged, while sharing practical strategies for supporting shy players, managing challenging behaviour and creating sessions that are both fun and purposeful.

This conversation will help you communicate more effectively, build stronger connections with your players and create an environment where every child can learn, grow and develop a lifelong love of football.

Start your journey with Little Kickers today at www.littlekickersfranchising.co.uk

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From scoring the winning goal on his Premier League debut for boyhood club West Ham to coaching his own children on a Sunday morning, Freddie Sears has experienced almost every level of the game. But despite a career spanning more than 460 professional appearances, it’s grassroots football that now gives him some of his greatest enjoyment.

In this episode, Freddie joins Ben and Mike in the studio to reflect on growing up playing grassroots football, the coaches and parents who shaped him, and the unforgettable moment he fulfilled his childhood dream at West Ham. He also opens up about the challenges of coaching his own children, managing expectations, dealing with nerves and finding the balance between pushing young players and simply letting them enjoy football.

For parents and coaches, Freddie’s message is clear: football should be fun. His story is a powerful reminder that the friendships, memories and experiences created on a Sunday morning can mean far more than the result.

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

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