Series 2 - Episode 3 - Youth Football Q&A With Pez, Geoff & Betsy

The Inner Huddle - The Football (Soccer) Development Podcast for Parents & Coaches of Young Aspiring Players

In the third episode of the new series Pez, Geoff & Betsy tackle 10 more questions from parents and coaches.

1. I heard you mention that it’s not a good idea to pay for goals. I’ve stopped doing it but my son’s granddad, and sometimes my wife, still continue to try to motivate my son in this way. Please can you explain in a bit more detail why it’s not a good idea?

2. What are your thoughts on clubs holding trials...? My son is 7 years old and I’m weary of taking him to club trials as it sounds quite daunting.

3. I'm a handball coach in Copenhagen, Denmark and love your show. Even though handball is a totally different game there are so many things you talk about that can be transferred. Do you have any advice for a coach on how to learn the tactics of football (Or in this case handball. I believe the learning process will be somewhat similar) and how to handle topics where you lack some insights?

4. How much of a young footballer’s journey (Foundation/early Youth Dev phase) should be player led and how much should be parent led and how much does this relationship change with age?

5. On a previous show I heard you talk about social media and how it’s not always a good thing to be posting about our children’s football. I regularly post when my boy has scored or his team has won and I’ve not noticed anything detrimental yet. Can you please discuss the positives and negatives of regularly posting…?

6. My son has been showing a keen interest in football and would like to join a team. Have you any advice on what to look for when choosing his first team…?

7. My child really suffers with low confidence on the pitch. Is there anything I can do to help…?

8. My son always gets put in defence for his team. He’s an Under 10 player and plays well there but I’m worried he’ll get pigeonholed there and eventually lose interest. Have you got any advice…?

9. My son loves to play a variety of different sports. Football is his favourite and we (his parents) are wondering if he should start specialising in football and dropping some other activities if he’s going to progress further. We’ve noticed that the teammates he has that only play football tend to be the more dominant players and we’re worried he might get left behind. He’s an Under 11 player. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

10. If/When does coaching your own child become a negative influence rather than a positive one?

Please send any questions you want answered/discussed to Pez at [e-mail] or 07818225592

This episode was sponsored by Dimensions Carpentry & Construction:

https://dimensionscarpentry.co.uk/

Your hosts are:

Perry Cocking (Pezzaz Street Soccer & formerly Southampton FC) -

www.pezzazstreetsoccer.com

https://www.facebook.com/perrycockingauthor

Geoff Bonner (Wessex Futsal Club) -

https://www.facebook.com/wessexfutsal

Betsy Tuffrey (Seed Psychology) -

https://www.seedpsychology.co.uk/