It's Only Kids Football

The lads are back, and this week, it’s all about the minefield that is coaching your own kid. Ben’s convinced he’s holding his son to impossible standards, Mike’s trying (and failing) to stay calm and they’re both wondering if they should start charging parents just to keep themselves in check.But things get deeper (and a bit existential). How do you actually know if you’re pushing your kid too hard or not hard enough? Catalan Soccer’s Matt Ogden in the hot seat, dishing out wisdom on coaching thousands of kids, why he’s banned scouts from his academy and what parents get wrong when trying to develop their children. Expect big lessons, big laughs and possibly a midlife crisis or two.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike are back and this week they’re breaking down two big games: one where they were unlucky and one where they were actually good (a rare moment of self-praise) and of course, there's reflection on their latest emotional breakdown.But controversy is never far away. Ben is accused of breaking touchline rules (again) and sparking s touchline war with rival fans, while Mike is begging for sponsorship (again) and the boys put in their best team performance yet. Plus, how coaching from both sides of the pitch got some parents raging and is this finally the week the lads figure out how to win a close game? What’s the best way to lose a match but still feel positive? And did a camera REALLY mistake Ben’s head for the ball?TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mike call in the big guns, elite coach Edu Rubio, to help them crack formations, teamwork and how to stop their lads from bunching. Along the way, they confront their own coaching disasters, debate England vs. Spain’s youth setups and uncover the real secret to coaching kids: it’s not tactics - it’s psychology. The key takeaways? Get to know your players and make them feel valued, because coaching isn’t just about formations and winning. Praise progress, not just results and focus on developing skills rather than chasing the win.Involve players in decision-making to boost their engagement and learning and above all, stay calm and lead by example - if you lose your head, they will too. If you’ve ever wondered how to get an 8-year-old to listen, this one’s for you.The former West Ham and Wolves first-team coach also shares his thoughts on the FA’s latest steps to improve grassroots youth football in England.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben’s losing his voice, Mike’s losing his mind, and the kids are losing their markers. A 5-1 win had them dreaming, but a 7-4 battering brought them crashing back to earth.A shambolic training session saw Ben and Mike lose their rag with their own lads, bringing on instant regret and damage control. In a bid to lift the mood, Mike unleashed his inner Ted Lasso with an American Soccer Dad routine—spoiler: total disaster. Then, to top it off, he went full Wolf of Wall Street, popping champagne after Raph bagged a brace.Now we’re asking: are our sessions actually helping or just leaving the kids more confused? If you’ve got a player who listens and tracks back, hit us up—the transfer window is still wide open.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: 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 and joined by The Athletic's Rory Smith. Rory has spent his career dissecting elite football, interviewing some of the greatest minds in the game, but none of that prepared him for the minefield of coaching his son’s under-7s team.Rory confesses to a few questionable touchline moments, wrestles with the impossible task of getting kids to understand positioning (spoiler: they don’t) and wonders if teaching them to "play out from the back" is just setting them up for failure.He’s also baffled by the number of dads screaming "PRESS!" at children who still struggle to put their boots on the right feet. But it’s not all stress and shouting, Rory also reflects on the good bits, like watching the kids grow in confidence, problem-solving on the pitch and occasionally kicking the ball in the right direction.Oh and there’s the small matter of trying to coach your own kid without losing the plot. Plenty to unpack, plenty to laugh at.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike’s been on the Guinness, Ben’s on the edge and the kids have been on the wind-up. A losing streak hangs in the balance… but at what cost?We finally get a result… well, sort of. A chaotic inter-club derby leaves everyone questioning whether it was a step forward or just more of the same. Meanwhile, Mike has been living it up in Dublin, missing the carnage and landing back into a WhatsApp storm.Training was chaos, the warm-up was a shambles and the match? Well, let's just say it involved dodgy defending, a miniature Robbie Savage and some sideline parents who took ‘passion’ a bit too far. Oh and if you’ve got a decent under-8s player, get in touch – the transfer window is open.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ben and Mike are joined by Neil Harris, a coach who spent 21 years at Manchester United, helping bring through stars like Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga. And to spice things up, his son Jamie Harris—a rising coach himself—jumps in to give us the truth on what it’s like being coached by your dad (spoiler: brutal!).Expect top-class coaching insights on how to keep kids' attention, providing individual feedback and objectives for players and having a structured arrival routine to help players transition into the session.Plus, Neil explains why Marcus Rashford played right-back for him in the academy, focusing on development rather than just results and the best way to help your kid get better without making them hate football (note to self).It’s football, family, and a whole lot of self-reflection—this one’s not to be missed.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After eight defeats in a row and a mental state that’s circling the drain, Ben and Mike have finally hit rock bottom. In this episode, they unravel their latest meltdown. For Ben, the emotional toll is hitting new heights as he questions everything—his coaching, his parenting and whether Alfie would just be better off under literally anyone else’s management. Has Ben ruined the one thing they both love? Meanwhile, Mike’s realising that even when he's keeping his mouth shut, his body language is screaming absolute despair. And don’t even get him started on Raph deciding he was “cold” mid-game.This is grassroots football at its rawest—where well-intentioned dads turn into stress-ridden lunatics, obsess over tactics that seven-year-olds will never listen to and spend entire Sundays suppressing the urge to launch themselves into the abyss.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ben and Mike are back, reliving their latest touchline dramas. From celebrating Alfie’s newfound resilience to bemoaning yet another defeat, it’s the usual mix of chaos and tears.But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom – they’ve brought out the big guns. Former Arsenal and West Brom winger Jerome Thomas drops in to share some fantastic insights and anecdotes. From training with Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp to getting schooled by Ashley Cole, Jerome’s got stories that you’ll want to share in the WhatsApp group or over a pint at the pub. He breaks down how he mastered the art of the 1v1, sharing essential tips you can pass on to your young players.Now working as a top scout, Jerome explains what pros really look for in grassroots talent. So whether you’re a stressed-out coach or a parent clinging to sanity on the sidelines, this one’s a must-listen. It’s football, but funny – and a little bit useful.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever tried teaching kids to mark in football? It’s like herding cats—with shin pads. This week, Ben and Mike, try to deal with kids who think “marking” means standing 10 yards away looking bored, to warm-ups so bad they’ll make you question life itself.Ben shares how he’s finally improving his relationship with Alfie by stepping back, ditching the intense dad-coach mode and focusing on fun (with a little help from parenting audiobooks). Meanwhile, Mike does his best to stay calm during a warm-up so disastrous it could make a nun swear, all while battling his inner rage over kids ignoring every instruction about marking.Throw in some questionable tactics, a few positive training sessions and tips they’ve shamelessly nicked from actual pros and you’ve got a therapy session for anyone who’s ever wanted to scream, “JUST MARK YOUR MAN!”Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Inside-bestselling-parenting-Philippa/dp/0008505543TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.