October Half-Term Academy Player Development Day

Day Schedule

• 09:30 – Player Arrivals: Players arrive, check-in with Academy staff and prepare for the day’s sessions.

Technical & Physical Development (09:30 – 12:00)

• 09:30 – 10:00 | Ball Mastery Warm-Up: Individual ball mastery, focusing on skill, coordination, and balance.
• 10:00 – 10:40 | SAQ Session (Speed, Agility, Quickness): Short, football-specific high-intensity sessions to develop acceleration, reaction time, and change of direction.
• 10:40 – 11:20 | Strength & Conditioning (S&C): Core stability, mobility, injury-prevention, and light functional strength exercises.
• 11:20 – 12:00 | Technical Passing Circuits (High Tempo): Emphasis on scanning, movement, rhythm, tempo, and accuracy under pressure.
• 12:00 – 12:40 | Lunch Break

Tactical Development (12:45 – 2:45pm)

• Session Overview: Tactical games highlighting topic-specific scenarios set by the Coach. Coaching interventions reinforce key points. Short game durations (10 mins) maintain intensity and focus.

Key Tactical Topics

• Attacking in the Final Third – Creating and exploiting scoring opportunities
• Midfield Transitions – Quick reactions from attack to defence and vice versa
• Defending in a Low Block – Compact shape, discipline, and communication
• Counter Attacks – Fast breaks and decision-making in transition
• High Press – Coordinated pressure, triggers, and recovery runs

Coaching Focus

• Individual roles and responsibilities within each tactical scenario
• Team structure and collective objectives
• Understanding why each tactical adjustment is made, enhancing game intelligence