Football Coaching: Small-Sided Game Formats In Youth Football Development

Our guest on the podcast this month is Amy Kay. Amy is a well established and respected figure in Youth Development, currently working as the Lead Foundation Phase Coach at Brighton & Hove Albion Academy. Following an impactful career as captain and Academy Lead at Lincoln City, Amy joined Brighton in 2024. Renowned for her high-energy leadership and exceptional ability to connect with young players, she joins the show to discuss her journey, how to coach effectively across age groups in the Foundation Phase as well as the main theme of the episode, the value in varying game formats for players of all ages and how this can benefit their learning and long-term development.Check out Football DNA today for hundreds of live and animated practices and sessions, analysis articles, coach education courses as well as our brand new 3v3 curriculum, ready for U7s in the 2026-27 season, and much more.

Mike Melvin is the Founder and Managing Director of 3v3 UK, one of the leading organisations driving the growth of small-sided football across the UK. Through his work with clubs, leagues, County FAs, the Premier League, and The FA, Mike has helped introduce thousands of young players to the benefits of the 3v3 format.Over the past decade, he has organised major grassroots and academy events, delivered player development programmes, and played a key role in the growth of 3v3 football both nationally and internationally. His work has contributed to the increasing recognition of 3v3 as an effective way to develop technical ability, decision-making, creativity, and enjoyment in young players.In this episode, Mike shares the story behind 3v3 UK, explains why small-sided football is transforming youth player development, and discusses the future of grassroots football as The FA prepares to introduce 3v3 as the mandatory format for U7s. Expect practical insights, real-world experiences, and plenty of discussion around creating better environments for young players to learn and thrive.

Trophies are great, but individual development is the real prize. In this episode, we welcome special guest Ross O'Kane, former Foundation Phase Lead at Luton Town FC Academy, to break down the strategic value of tournament football in youth player development. Drawing from his extensive experience in the elite academy space, Ross shares how coaches can navigate pressure, fatigue, and rapid tactical shifts to transform weekend tournaments into massive growth opportunities for young players.

In this episode we are joined by sport psychologist Sarah Murray to discuss The Value Of Sports Pyschology In Grassroots Football.Sarah has over a decade of experience working in professional sport, education and business. 9 years of which include a full time role overseeing performance psychology at a premier league football club. Sarah has a passion for working with people, hence she can be found with elite and non elite teams, athletes, coaches and across sport, education and business to enhance human performance and develop understanding of what a healthy high performance cultures look and feel like.For more info and to contact Sarah: https://www.performance-edge.org/

In this episode of the Football DNA podcast we speak with Co-Founder & Director of the Football Fun Factory Jonny Martin. Jonny is a UEFA A Licensed Coach and previously worked at Cambridge United Academy for 9 years. He now is on a mission to support young people across the country. The Football Fun Factory was created to provide incredible childhood football experiences, for boys and girls of all ages and ability levels, eliminating barriers to opportunity. We use the nation’s passion for football as a vehicle for child development, delivering truly unique experiences to make memories that last a lifetime.

In the first episode of 2026, we are joined by David & Keith Mayer to discuss How To Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly. Insights are taken from the book they both published as co-authors. Keith has an extensive coaching background around the world and for the last decade with Liverpool FC Academy. David has also coached around the world as a UEFA A Licenced Coach, currently at Utah Red Wolves Academy. For even more insights, check out their book Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly, available on Amazon and major bookshops.

In the ninth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ross Embleton to discuss Talent ID & Recruitment In Grassroots FootballRoss is a highly respected English football coach, currently serving as Academy Head of Recruitment at West Ham United. With a background in youth development at clubs like Tottenham and Norwich, he is best known for his time at Leyton Orient, where he held roles including Head Coach and helped lead the club through a period of transition.

In the eighth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Ben Bradford to discuss grassroots goalkeeper coaching.Ben Bradford is an experienced and sought-after goalkeeping coach, who is a former academy Goalkeeping Coach for West Ham United Football Club. He has numerous qualifications, including FA Level 2 goalkeeper, FA Level 1 in Talent Identification, and FA Emergency First Aid. His coaching philosophy prioritises attacking-minded play with both feet and developing his goalkeepers' organisational skills and positive attitude. Ben was also the former Essex Regional Goalkeeping Scout for Cambridge United.Under Ben's guidance, many of his students have signed for professional football clubs, such as Man Xity, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Ipswich Town, Cambridge United, Southend United, Colchester United, West Ham United United and Milwall. 

In the seventh episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Paul McGuinness to discuss Individual Skill DevelopmentPaul McGuinness spent 24 years at Manchester United, where he served as Head Coach of the Professional Development Phase. During his time at the club, he played a pivotal role in the development of players such as Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck, and Axel Tuanzebe, among many others.As coach of United’s U18s, Paul guided the team to FA Youth Cup glory in 2011, overseeing a squad brimming with future stars, including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Ravel Morrison.After departing Manchester United in 2016, Paul spent four years as a National Coach Developer with The Football Association, helping to shape the next generation of coaches across the country. In 2021, he joined Leicester City’s academy as Head of Player Development, a role he held until September 2022.Paul now works as a consultant, providing mentorship to both players and coaches, and delivering coaching demonstrations and presentations across the football landscape.

In the sixth episode of 2025 our host Paul Barry is joined by Chris Ramsey to discuss being an effective grassroots football coach. Chris Ramsey MBE is a highly respected football coach and coach educator with decades of experience developing elite players and coaches. A former professional defender, he played for clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town. He coached England’s youth teams and held senior development roles at Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers. Known for championing diversity in football, Ramsey has mentored countless players and coaches, helping shape modern youth development in England. Awarded an MBE in 2019, he now plays a leading role in the national coaching structure, focusing on the progression of England’s 18s to 20s age groups.