Not much landed from the FA this week that changes the rules, so this round-up is about things worth doing with what is already there, plus one date that catches everyone out.
The clocks go back on Sunday
British Summer Time ends on Sunday 25 October. If you train outdoors in the evening, the light will go sooner than it did last week. Check where you are training and whether the pitch has lights, and tell parents about any change of venue or time before Tuesday, not on the night. A plan for a dark session helps too: my piece on planning a grassroots football training session goes live this morning and works for a smaller space as well.
Play Safe Weekend has been and gone, the point has not
The FA's Play Safe Weekend ran on 3 and 4 October under the theme Keep Up the Convo. The ask of clubs was simple: make regular time for children to say how they are getting on, and listen when they do. Everyday moments count, such as the car journey home, drop-offs and the touchline. The FA also encourages parents and carers to do its free online safeguarding awareness course, which takes about 25 minutes. If your club has not shared that link with parents yet, do it this week.
On the same theme, the FA's learning site ran a piece on 9 October about how Liverpool FC create space to hear young players' voices. I would read it before Sunday.
Dates for the diary
The FA lists Silent Support Weekends for youth football on 14 and 15 November 2026 and 13 and 14 March 2027. Tell your parents now so nobody is surprised. My piece on running a parents' meeting is a good way to set that up.
What went up on Trac
Last Friday it was how to give a half-time team talk, which pairs well with a listening habit: ask one question before you say anything.
One thing to do this weekend
After Sunday's game, ask each child one question on the way home or at the final whistle that is not about the result. Then listen to the answer.
That is the round-up. If there is something you want covered, or you want a hand with your club site, drop me a line through contact.