Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad.
He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football.
It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football.
Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad.
He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football.
It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football.
Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Ben and Mike sit down with Paul Barry, head of coaching at Crystal Palace for U8–U12s and a 28-season veteran of the foundation phase.
Paul offers real insight on what really matters when coaching kids—from using words like "fireworks" and "magnets" to help the kids understand tactics and shape, to handling overzealous parents with clear communication and understanding.
Expect smart, practical advice on managing the jump from 5-to-7-a-side, improving player focus and how to set up a killer 60-minute session—plus why one-word feedback might be your secret weapon.
He also talks about coaching the parents, avoiding the "chimp brain," and why football is about shaping kids for the next 25 years—not the next 25 minutes.
Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/
Paul Barry's children's books:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Mr-Paul-David-Barry/author/B08VCXJZJG
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.