# Should kids have set positions in grassroots football? Our response sparked a backlash

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-s-only-kids-football-6977406/should-kids-have-set-positions-in-grassroots-football-our-response-sparked-a-backlash
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-s-only-kids-football-6977406/should-kids-have-set-positions-in-grassroots-football-our-response-sparked-a-backlash.md
Podcast: [It's Only Kids Football](https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-s-only-kids-football-6977406)
Published: 2026-04-13T04:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/66a361b8d34ffa9141b184b4/e/69db9d2ecdaa3e377c360f95/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/it-s-only-kids-football-6977406/episodes/should-kids-have-set-positions-in-grassroots-football-our-response-sparked-a-backlash
Duration seconds: 4559

## Resource

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 pigeonholing players too early, shaping how they see themselves on the pitch. They also discuss why losing is essential for growth, how competition builds resilience, and what lessons really stick when things don’t go your way. It’s a reminder that, while winning feels great, it’s often the tough moments—the missed chances, poor decisions and defeats—that teach children the most, even if they’re harder for parents to watch. They also look at how the close proximity and constant instruction between parent and child in training can quickly spark tension, misunderstandings and those all-too-familiar flashpoints. There are positives too, as elements from recent training—particularly around shooting and decision-making—begin to show up in matches, reinforcing the idea that repetition and patience do pay off over time. Alongside this, they tackle the practical realities of grassroots football, including how best to trial a new player without disrupting the group or placing too much pressure on the individual. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admi…

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