
Should you play equal game time in tournament football?
Ben and Mike dive into one of grassroots football’s biggest debates: should every player get equal game time in tournaments? Drawing from real tournament experiences, they unpack the tension between f...
18 Mai 1h 15min

Simple coaching language that actually works
Ben and Mike are joined by Mark Thompson, UEFA A Licensed coach and International Technical Coaching Manager at Everton, to explore a simple truth: kids don’t need more coaching - they need clearer co...
11 Mai 1h 9min

We answer your toughest kids' football questions
In this bonus episode, Ben and Mike tackle the realities of grassroots football through listener questions and stories from the community. They explore key debates like competition vs development, man...
7 Mai 33min

What we learned coaching our own kids this season
As the season wraps up, Ben and Mike take a brutally honest look back at the highs, lows, and everything in between — from standout performances and unforgettable goals to moments they’d rather forget...
4 Mai 1h 11min

Why your child plays like two different footballers
Why does your child sometimes look like two completely different footballers? Ben and Mike explore the frustrating but fascinating reality of inconsistency in youth players—where confidence, mood, env...
27 Apr 1h 4min

Why separating players by ability doesn’t work
In this episode, Ben and Mike welcome Chris Ramsey onto the pod. One of the most respected voices in player development and coaching in the English game, Ramsey's career spans roles at QPR, Tottenham,...
20 Apr 1h 5min

Should kids have set positions in grassroots football? Our response sparked a backlash
Is advertising for specific positions in youth football the right approach for development? Ben and Mike debate whether recruiting for roles like “defenders only” is a practical necessity or risks pig...
13 Apr 1h 15min

6 lessons from a pro goalkeeper that will transform your child’s confidence
What’s it really like for a child playing the most pressured position on the pitch? In this episode, Salford City goalkeeper Mark Howard shares honest insights from academy football at Arsenal to pare...
6 Apr 1h 1min



















