Presentation looking at the athletic development and physical training of youth football / soccer players. The key areas the presentation covers are; - Fitness testing: performance profiling, total score of athleticism (TSA), movement screening. - Assessing physical maturity: Relative Age Effect (RAE), predicted height, bio-banding, peak height velocity (PHV) - Monitoring training load: GPS analysis, heart rate analysis, small sided games (SSG). - Youth training techniques: Multi sports, strength training, managing growth, resisted sprints.

1. Chris Hattersley – MSc, BSc, ASCC, CSCS, CES
Athletic Development For Youth
Footballers

2. Overview
• Creating the modern day player.
• Long term athlete development for football.
• Performance profiling.
• Investigate mechanisms that regulate growth.
• Suggested athletic development programme
through the phases.

3. Modern Day Player
Key requirements;
-Play 50 games per season.
-Consistently cover 12km per game total
distance & 1000m high intensity distance.
-Play 2 games a week over a 4 week period
without performance dropping.
-Excellent short distance acceleration, 10
metre time < 1.2 sec.
-High strength-body mass ratio.
-Body fat < 10%.
-Implements good recovery practices & injury
prevention methods e.g. good diet, yoga etc.

4. LTAD Model
Learning to train 9-11 years old Training to train 12-14 years old Training to compete 15-16 years
old
Training to win 16-18 years old
Fundamental Movements Growth Management Scholarship
Preparation
Professional Development
Programme focussed towards
multilateral development of
athleticism.
Main focus on managing growth /
introducing players to more
intense programme.
Programme designed to prepare
players for full time scholarship.
Full potential progressively
achieved.
Teaching of fundamental
movement skills.
Increased training time. Post-peak height velocity Comprehensive support from
sport science and medicine
professionals.
Orientated towards enjoyment. Adolescent growth spurt. Gradual progression in training
overload.
Advanced physical training
techniques utilised.
Main adaptations are
neuromuscular.
Structural adaptations driven by
increase in anabolic hormones.
Completely individualised
programme.
Close monitoring to avoid
overtraining e.g. HR, GPS,
wellness.
High emphasis on co-ordination
/ varied locomotor patterns.
Limb growth may require
refinement of skill and technique.
Increased number of gym / injury
prevention sessions.
Aerobic and anaerobic systems
trained for maximum output.
Introductory nutrition &
psychology workshops.
High emphasis on proprioception
/ neuromuscular control.
Higher emphasis on football
specific conditioning work.
Strength training maximised.
Develop athletic base through
mixed activities.
Individualised athletic
development groups.
In depth movement screen
analysis.
Improving recovery from
competition.
Fun multi-sport experience. Strength training introduced,
learning then loading.
Nutrition & psychology workshops
for high performance sport.
Advanced movement screen /
individual prehab.
- Need to be aware of how all body systems and tissues physically mature and construct programmes based on each
stage of development. Progressive long term programme.

5. Programme Considerations
To develop physically and psychologically robust players it is essential to demonstrate
excellence in the following areas on a daily basis;
• Data analysis and presentation.
• Training load monitoring and management.
• Programme design and practical execution.
• Nutritional and recovery practices.
• Player education.
• Coach-player, coach-parent and coach-coach relationships.
• Research and Innovation

6. Total Score of Athleticism
• A single score and rank of the players physical
capacity.
• Sum of z-scores;
- YIRT2
- 10m
- 20m
- Arrowhead Agility
- CMJ
• Can be used within age group, across phase or
to assess players on similar level of maturity.
• Players that score the highest also
demonstrate the best match running
performance.
• ‘TSA as an indicator of match running
performance in elite youth soccer players.’

7. Performance Profile
• Physical benchmarking using
radar chart.
• Based on norms, not z-score.
• Identifies strengths and
weaknesses.
• Easy visual interpretation for
coaches and players.
• Progress is also monitored in
relation to the previous testing
results.

8. Assessing Maturity
• Wrist / Hand X-ray is the gold standard
(Gilsanz & Ratib, 2005). Level of maturity
assessed by the epiphyseal fusion of the
phalanges, radius and ulna.
• Relative Age Effect (RAE) charts are
created for each age group and the whole
academy.
• Regression equation put forward by
Mirwald et al (2001) used to assess
physical maturity / years from peak
height velocity PHV)
• Predicted height is assesed using the
equation provided by Sherar & Lauren et
al (2002). Bio-bands are then created
from the players percentage of adult
height.

9. U9-11’s Programme
Ajax Athletic Skills Centre

10. U9-11’s Adaptations
• Main adaptations are neuromuscular due
to high degree of neuroplasticity during
these ages;
- Cerebral Maturation (Motor cortex, parietal
lobe & cerebellum)
- Myelination of neurons (Spinal cord &
peripheral nerves)
- Intramuscular co-ordination
- Intermuscular co-ordination
- Limited changes in muscle architecture
during this stage.
Players need to learn to calculate and co-
ordinate as many movements as possible
= Fundamental Movements / Motor Control

11. U9-11’s Programme
- Fun, movement based sessions, coach
sets structure then provides limited
input.
- Should be as creative as possible.
- ‘Performance Playground’
- Multi-sports programme.
- Climbing, tchoukball, volleyball,
gymnastics, parkour, capoeira, sprint
mechanics, tag rugby, badminton,
tennis, table tennis, basketball, strategy
games, judo, tag games.
- 3 x 10 mins twice per week.

12. U12-14’s Adaptations
• Onset of puberty and peak height
velocity, main adaptations;
- Increase in circulating anabolic
hormones regulated by
hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- Musculoskeletal growth is caused
by increased amount of hormone-
receptor interactions allowing the
hormones to interact with the
relevant tissues.
- Muscle fibre differentiation
- Neural development continues

13. U12-14’s Adolescent Awkwardness
• Adolescent Awkwardness;
- Limbs increase in size and mass =
bigger levers that are capable of
creating more force.
- This rapid growth of the tissues alters
the brains proprioceptive mapping of
the body which impairs co-ordination.
- May lead to decrements in motor
control tasks i.e. running, agility,
sporting skill.
- Body out of balance & increased risk of
injury
= Growth Management

14. U12-14’s Programme
• High emphasis on mobility, multi-
planar strength, neuromuscular
control and proprioception.
• Develop basic competencies in the
gym, foam roll, mobility, pre-
activation.
• Introduce to yoga and pilates, more
advanced support, nutrition,
training load, education etc.
- 1 Multi-sport session
- 1 Athletic development session
- 1 Gym session

15. U15-16’s / U18’s Overview
• Post PHV, the focus is now on preparing players for the
scholarship. Must be aware of late developers. Key areas;
Area U15/16 U18
Match Running
Performance / Fitness
(GPS profiles)
x 1 x 1
Strength & Conditioning
(Learning then loading)
x 2 x 3
Injury Prevention
(Advanced screening /
individualised)
x 2 x 3
Player Education
Players must be knowledgeable on key areas related
to their performance.

16. Physical Monitoring
• External load - GPS analysis allows
us to monitor movements,
distances and running speeds
during training and games. Key
metrics; TD, HID, Acc:Dec, max
velocity.
• Internal Load - Heart Rate analysis
provides a measure of internal
training load. Max HR, mean HR &
time over 85% max HR.
• Psychophysiological load – Players
perception of how hard training
was. RPE 1-10 x time of session.

17. Training Load
• Weekly target 30km total
distance, 2500m high
intensity.
• Rolling 5 game averages of
physical match
performance.
• Training stress balance,
acute & chronic load to
monitor injury risk.
• Email reports are sent out
to players and coaches as
close to the previous
session as possible.

18. Fitness
• Improve VO2 Max, lactate
tolerance & high intensity
running.
• Must also condition players to be
able to tolerate match specific
actions with a high level of
musculoskeletal loading such as
accelerations & decelerations.
• Sport specific training is the most
appropriate approach by
manipulating SSG’s.
• Coach education important.

19. Integrated Approach to Conditioning
- All physical requirements can be met through the manipulation of football drills.
- Sport Science provide training guidelines on a daily / weekly basis.
- Coaches manipulate drills to obtain desired technical, tactical and physical outcomes.
Plan
Do
Review Target of 600m
High intensity
distance
- 7 v 7 Big Pitch
- All players in attacking half to score
- 3 x 7 min games
- Analyse GPS
- Were the W:R
ratio, pitch size
and rules
appropriate?

20. Speed Training
• Straight line running power is critically
important for performance.
• Gym based strength training very
important, but resisted sprints more
specific.
• Overload sprint mechanics and
locomotion movement pattern.
• Increase peak leg extension forces of
stance leg = increased stride length.
• Sledge, parachute, ramp, vest - Each
type trains a distinct component of
acceleration.
• Should be used in conjunction with
plyometrics that develop a similar
component.

21. Acceleration Programme
Initial Acceleration Early Phase
Acceleration
Late Phase
Acceleration
Late Phase / Max
Velocity
Distance
- 0-10m -0-20m
30-40m 30-60m
Emphasis
- Net concentric power generation
- Longer ground contact time
- Horizontal ground reaction forces
- Net eccentric power dissipation
- Shorter ground contact time
- Vertical ground reaction forces
Resisted Sprint Sledge Sprints:
5 x 7.5m @ 20kg, 5 x
15m @ 15kg,
Parachute Sprints:
8 x 25m
Vest Sprints:
4 x 20m @ 10kg,
4 x 30m @7.5kg,
4 x 40m @ 4kg
Hill Sprints (3°):
6 x 30m,
4 x 40m,
2 x 50m
Plyometric 1 DB Jump Squat
5 x 5 @ 30kg
Box jumps:
5 x 5 @ 30 inch
High hurdle rebound
jumps:
5 x 3 @ 0.76m
Depth jumps:
5 x 3 @ 16 inch,
Plyometric 2 Single leg standing long
jumps:
4 x 5
Single leg bunny
hops:
4 x 5
High hurdle rebound
jumps:
5 x 3 @ 0.84m
Depth jumps:
5 x 3 @ 24 inch

22. Strength Training - Benefits
• During late adolescence a major
emphasis should be placed on
strength training due to the
numerous performance enhancing
effects it has;
- Large increase in muscle mass / CSA
+5-15kg during scholarship
underpins developments in strength
and power.
- Muscles become more resistant to
fatigue. Switch on genes that limit
eccentric stress and prevent damage
to the sarcomere. (titin kinase –
alpha actinin ACTN3).
- Injury prevention, maintain muscle
balance, posture and fine tune
movement patterns.

23. Strength Training - Considerations
- Programmes use the appropriate
training stress to create the local
and systemic responses required
for adaptation.
- Multi joint movements that
activate large amounts of muscle
mass are used to generate a
enhanced hormonal response.
- High amounts of tension are also
necessary to activate high
threshold motor units in order to
stimulate neurological adaptations
and hypertrophy of FT fibres.

24. Strength Programme Design
Key Movement Patterns
Squat Lunge/Step-
up
Horizontal
Push/Pull
Vertical
Push/Pull
Hinge Rotate
Jump & Land Brace
Programming For Functional Hypertrophy
Training Variables Example Session
No. of
exercises
6-8 Back Squat 4 x 7, 4 x 5
Sets 4-8 RDL 4 x 7, 4 x 5
Reps 4-8 BB Walking
Lunge
6 x 5 each leg
Rep Vol 150-300 Push Press 3 x 7, 3 x 5
Load (% 1RM) 80-90% Wtd Chin Ups 2 x 8, 2 x 6, 2 x
4
Rest Interval 2-3 min Bench Press 2 x 8, 2 x 6, 2 x
4
Tempo 2 – 0 - 1 Core

25. Injury Prevention
• Screening should focus on static
and dynamic posture, lower limb
alignment and lumbo-pelvic core
function.
• Injury prevention sessions
informed by trends from
screening for group and
individual work.
• Photo’s used to improve analysis
and provide feedback to players.
• Physio’s perform additional
assessments LLD, laxity etc.
• Release – lengthen – activate -
integrate.

26. Posture

27. Nutrition
Nutrition is the most regular performance enhancing factor!
Compete
Train
Eat 900-2000 times
5-70 times
300-800 times

28. Recovery
• Chocolate milk – 3:1 carb to protein
ratio. Rehydration, increase protein
synthesis & glycogen re-synthesis.
• Ice bath – 10 mins at 12°. Reduce
DOMS and sympathetic stress.
• Tart cherry drink – reduce oxidative
stress & free radical damage.
• Foam roll – increased muscle and
tendon blood flow, reduce DOMS.
• Large meal – High GI carbs & protein
to replenish substrate stores &
optimise muscle damage repair.
• Sleep – stimulates further
regeneration and alleviates
psychological fatigue.

29. Player Education
The modern player should have a high
level of knowledge regarding their
physical performance. Presentations
should be delivered in the following
areas;
- Match running performance.
- Match preparation and recovery.
- Strength training and injury
prevention.
- Nutrition and supplementation.
- Interactive, lots of practical
examples.

30. Barriers to Player Development
• Many of the challenges faced
during player development
are social / psychological.
• Must limit each barrier to
provide the optimal
environment to progress.
• Individual approach creates
more buy in.
• Reinforce discipline and
positive behaviours.
• When this is done
consistently this creates
culture.

31. Key Research

32. Key Research