Ben and Mike kick off the new season with equal parts optimism and exasperation. Pre-season friendlies brought slick football, impressive wins and a series of great goals, but also reminded the coaching duo not to get too carried away.

The first league match against Hullbridge Sports was supposed to be routine – until the boys froze on the grass, the opposition dug in and a last-gasp equaliser left everyone deflated. Off the pitch, Ben admits that old habits of snapping at his son have crept back, leading to emotional car rides, guilt, and even a heartfelt letter of apology.

From training drills with countdown shot-clocks to managing fragile confidence, the dads wrestle with whether they’re helping their kids or just piling on pressure.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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.

In this episode, Ben and Mike are joined by Neal Lattimore, strength and conditioning coach at Peterborough United and founder of Active Performance Gym. Drawing on this experience working with academy players, Neil breaks down one of youth football’s biggest questions—when and how kids should start physical training.

The conversation covers what to focus on at different ages, how to navigate growth spurts safely and why proper movement, balance and coordination matter more than heavy lifting. Neil shares practical tips for improving speed, shot power, coordination and common mistakes coaches and parents make when trying to get kids in shape.

From busting the myth that weights stunt growth, to explaining the benefits of bio-banding and why fun races and ladders can build coordination, this episode gives coaches and parents the confidence to support young players’ physical development.

They also discuss academy vs grassroots approaches, how to keep sessions engaging, and why patience is key when kids develop at different speeds.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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.

In this episode, Ben and Mike sit down with renowned coach James Galanis, best known for his work with World Cup winners and elite US internationals, to unpack what grassroots football can learn from the highest level.

The conversation dives into James’s philosophy that coaches are “creators of environments” and why the biggest obstacles to player development are often not kids, but parents. He shares powerful stories, including how a single car ride can destroy a child’s love for football and offers practical ways to reset the culture around youth sport.

From the dangers of over-structuring training to why US “pay to play” soccer leaves too many talented kids behind, James explains how coaches and parents can shift focus from short-term results to long-term growth.

He also breaks down the crucial differences between coaching boys and girls and why listening, respect and love for the game matter more than tactics at grassroots level.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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.