The Knowledge Gap In Kids Football
Your child knows the WHAT to do…so why do they keep making the wrong decision on the pitch?
Knowing when to pass isn’t the same as knowing how to make that pass.
Here’s why saying the right thing doesn’t mean your child is learning the game
The Knowledge Gap
There are two types of football knowledge:
Declarative knowledge = “We need to create space!”
Procedural knowledge = Actually doing it in when it counts—under pressure.
Guess which one matters most in real games?
What Often Happens
A coach has a tactics board asking questions about pressing (for example):
A child might say:
“We should press here.”
But then doesn’t press when it actually matters.
Why?
Because real skill doesn’t come from repeating answers—it comes from perceiving and reacting in real time.
Learning Lives in Action
Football is a perception-action game.
It’s not about what you can say—it’s about what you can see and do…in the moment.
That’s why we focus more on coaching realistic, game-like challenges over too much time spent talking at the players or using tactics boards.
Situational vs. Reference Coaching
Reference coaching = asking questions
Situational coaching = learning by doing, with real decisions, space, timing, pressure.
For young children we use more situational coaching to build the right habits so players know what and how to do something instead of just knowing the answers without being able to do it when it counts.
What It Looks Like at Foot-Tech
Games-based sessions
Real decisions under pressure
Fun, fast-paced, and functional
Kids develop instincts—not just answers
Yes, we still talk about the game too and ask questions.
But everything we do is built to help kids act, not just analyse.
So we focus more on situational coaching in the younger years.
Because confidence comes from doing—not memorising.
Coaches & Parent, if your child/players keeps “knowing” what to do…but can’t do it under pressure…
It might not be a talent issue.
They might just need more time ‘doing’ and less time answering.
