It's Only Kids Football Creating the right environment for player development
Nov 17, 2025
Nick Green, a Football DNA ambassador with years of coaching experience in England and Australia, shares his insights on youth player development. He discusses the importance of creating positive environments that build children's confidence and resilience. Topics include managing emotions after games, using video feedback for clarity, and helping smaller players excel on the field. Nick emphasizes the balance between technical skills and mindset while advocating for club-wide coaching strategies. His tips aim to make football enjoyable and foster growth in young players.
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Environment Over Everything
- Nick Green says the single biggest factor in reaching young players is the environment you create.
- A safe, enthusiastic environment builds belief and reduces fear of mistakes.
Design Tasks That Build Belief
- Put players in tasks where small success and controlled failure coexist to build resilience.
- Use filmed positive extracts to show players concrete examples of what they can repeat.
Use Three-Question Debriefs
- Debrief with three clear questions: what went well, what could be better, and what would we do differently.
- Link game objectives back to training so reflection is focused and actionable.
