Strength, movement & injury prevention · 4 minPanel-informed guide
How much football is too much?
"How do I know when my child is doing too much?"
More football is not automatically better football. Loading a young, growing body without recovery is one of the most common reasons junior players burn out or get injured.
The signals to watch
Persistent soreness, drop in enjoyment, sleep changes, irritability after sessions, recurring niggles in the same area.
Why it matters more in growth spurts
Bones, tendons and muscles develop at different rates. Volume needs to flex with growth, not stay flat or escalate.
What to do
Audit the full week including school sport. Build in deliberate rest days. Talk to coaches about modified loads. Prioritise recovery over adding sessions.
Parent takeaway
If something is hurting, the answer is rarely more training.
Questions to ask
- How many football sessions does my child do across school, club and extras?
- Are there at least one or two non-football days per week?
- Has anything changed physically (height, weight, soreness)?
Common mistakes
- Pushing through pain.
- Adding strength work without reducing football volume.
- Treating recovery as optional.