🎙️ Go Football Podcast Episode 50 - Set Positions!

When should young footballers start playing set positions?

In Episode 50 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve explores one of the biggest debates in grassroots football whether players should have fixed roles on the pitch or experience multiple positions as they develop.

From 5v5 and 7v7 through to 9v9 and eventually 11v11, this episode breaks down when structure can help players learn the game and when it might actually limit their development.

Steve discusses the pros and cons of set positions, why rotating players in the early years is so important, and how introducing more defined roles later can help build tactical understanding and confidence.

The episode also looks at the goalkeeper debate should kids rotate in goal, and when is the right age for a player to specialise?

Whether you’re a grassroots coach or football parent, this episode will help you think differently about how positions shape player development.

⚽ When should positions be introduced?

⚽ Why rotation matters in the early years

⚽ The risks of pigeon-holing players too early

⚽ How the game changes from 7v7 to 9v9 and 11v11

⚽ When goalkeepers should specialise

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Go Football Podcast – Episode 49

“Experienced” Youth Players only please

What does it really mean to call a young footballer “experienced”?

In this episode of the Go Football Podcast, Steve challenges one of the most common phrases in grassroots football “They should know better.”

From 5v5 to 11v11, we explore whether youth players can truly be classed as experienced, or whether we’re placing adult expectations on developing children.

This episode covers:

⚽ What young players should realistically be able to do at different ages

⚽ What they shouldn’t be expected to handle yet

⚽ How brain and emotional development affects decision-making

⚽ Why exposure to games isn’t the same as mastery

⚽ The risks of raising expectations too early

⚽ How coaches can manage standards without increasing pressure

If you’re a grassroots coach or football parent, this episode will make you rethink how you define experience and how that definition shapes player confidence, learning, and long-term development.

Because in youth football, growth matters more than labels.

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Subscribe, share and support the grassroots game ⚽

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 48: Excited for 3v3?

In Episode 48 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve dives into one of the biggest changes coming to grassroots youth football — the introduction of 3v3 football as a development format for young players.

From the 2026/27 season, the new FutureFit framework will see Under-7s playing 3v3 as their entry into organised football, with the goal of increasing involvement, decision-making, physical engagement and technical skill at the earliest stage of the player pathway. 

In this episode, Steve breaks down:

• Why 3v3 is being introduced and what research says about its developmental impact

• Statistical benefits like more ball touches, faster decision-making and higher physical involvement compared to larger games 

• How smaller formats used in other countries support skill growth and confidence 

• What coaches need to understand to make small-sided football work effectively

• Some of the challenges or limits associated with implementing 3v3 formats and how to manage them 

Whether you’re a coach, parent or grassroots volunteer, this episode equips you with the how and why behind this exciting change and what it means for the next generation of players.

📧 Contact us: GoFootballPod@gmail.com

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 48: Players Going Backwards

🎧 In Episode 48 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve explores a situation every grassroots coach and parent will recognise — players who appear to be going backwards rather than improving.

Is it a loss of ability, or part of the learning process?

This episode breaks down why player development is rarely linear and why dips in performance are actually a normal and important part of growth. From physical growth spurts and increased challenge levels to confidence, pressure, and overthinking, Steve looks at the key reasons players can seem to regress — and what can be done to support them properly.

The episode covers:

• Why development isn’t a straight line

• How growth and maturation affect performance

• The role confidence plays in learning

• How pressure and fear of mistakes slow progress

• Practical ways grassroots coaches can help players through dips

• Reassurance and guidance for parents

A must-listen for anyone involved in youth and grassroots football who wants to support players through every stage of their journey.

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 46: When to Call a Game Off in the Cold

In Episode 46 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve tackles one of the toughest winter decisions in grassroots football — when is it right to call a game off in the cold?

With frozen pitches, low temperatures, pressure to fulfil fixtures, and player welfare at stake, this episode breaks down how coaches and organisers can make safe, sensible decisions in cold weather conditions.

The episode covers:

• ​ The risks of playing on frozen or hard ground
• ​ Why children are more affected by cold than adults
• ​ Common temperature guidance and welfare considerations
• ​ The pressure to play vs the responsibility to protect players
• ​ Clear signs that a game should be postponed
• ​ Best practice if a match does go ahead

A must-listen for grassroots coaches, volunteers, and parents navigating winter football with player safety at the centre.

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 45: New Year, New Team?

In Episode 45 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve looks at how grassroots coaches can use the new year as a fresh start for their team.

After the winter break, disrupted fixtures, and a busy first half of the season, this episode focuses on practical ways coaches can reset standards, re-engage players, refresh training, and rebuild momentum without overcomplicating things.

The episode covers:

• ​Why the new year is a powerful reset point
• ​Reviewing the first half of the season honestly
• ​Resetting team values and expectations
• ​Making small but effective changes on the pitch
• ​Re-engaging players after the break
• ​Improving communication with parents
• ​Setting realistic goals for the rest of the season

A must-listen for grassroots coaches looking to start the year positively and create a strong second half of the season.

📩 Contact Us

Have thoughts or experiences to share?

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🎄⚽ Go Football Podcast – Episode 43: The Christmas Special

In this special festive episode of the Go Football Podcast, Steve looks back over an incredible year of grassroots football conversations, learning, and debate.

The Christmas Special brings together some of the standout moments from across the year, featuring clips and insights from guests who have helped shape the podcast and shine a light on all areas of the grassroots game.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

• Kev Weir, discussing the realities, challenges, and positives of grassroots football

• Chris from The Scouting Game, giving an inside look into how football scouting really works

• Emma, the SEND Coach, sharing valuable insight on planning sessions and supporting players who may need extra help

• Scotty, talking about introducing football to children as young as two years old and why early engagement should focus on fun and movement

We also revisit clips from our most downloaded solo episode, JPL vs Grassroots, reflecting on why that topic struck such a chord with coaches, parents, and clubs across the football community.

This episode is a thank-you to everyone who has listened, shared, and supported the podcast over the past year — and a reminder of why grassroots football matters so much.

Make sure to check out our guests’ links and socials to support the great work they’re doing across the game.

📩 Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you and get your thoughts on the year in grassroots football.

📧 Email: GoFootballPod@gmail.com

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Thanks for listening, enjoy the festive break, and we’ll see you in the new year ⚽🎄

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 43: Reps vs Variety

🎧 Episode Bio (Spotify & YouTube)

In Episode 43 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve tackles one of the biggest debates in grassroots coaching: repetitions vs variety.

How many times does a player really need to practise a skill to be good at it? Are repetitive drills the key to development — or do varied, game-real practices create better footballers?

This episode explores:

• How repetition helps build technique and confidence

• Why too many unopposed reps can limit learning

• The role of varied practices in decision-making and creativity

• What research tells us about skill learning in football

• How coaches can blend reps and variety in effective, engaging sessions

If you coach, play, or support grassroots football, this episode will help you rethink how players learn — and how to keep training both effective and enjoyable.

📩 Contact Us

Have a view on reps vs variety? Want to share your coaching experience?

📧 Email: GoFootballPod@gmail.com

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