Football shouldn’t feel like school

Children already spend much of their week sitting still, listening, putting their hand up to speak and being told the right answers. Football can be something different.

That doesn't mean football sessions should be chaotic or without structure. Far from it. Children need clear boundaries and challenges. But within those boundaries, they should have the freedom to express themselves, make decisions and discover solutions.

As coaches, it's easy to fall into the habit of talking at players. I catch myself doing it sometimes! But  I think a better approach is to create a conversation. A coach should have the most knowledge, but that doesn't mean they should provide every answer. By asking questions instead, we encourage children to think, experiment and work things out for themselves.

Sometimes their solution won't work. That's not a problem. In fact, those moments often lead to the biggest breakthroughs. Rather than immediately telling a child what they should have done, we can help them understand why something didn't work and guide them towards finding a better solution.

When children are actively involved, they're not just learning football. They're developing decision-making, confidence and resilience. They're also enjoying the process far more than if they simply stood in line waiting for instructions.

If football starts to feel like another school lesson, most children won't come back. It should be a place where learning happens through playing, questioning and exploring. In my experience, that's when children develop the fastest—and enjoy the game the most.