Performance Phase | 13-15 year olds

Youth Football

DEVELOPING THE PLAYER

Football Training Plan: Refinement Period

Age Group: 13–15 years

Phase: Refinement Period

Field Size: Full-size pitch (11v11)

Session Objectives

• Refine and perfect technical and tactical skills
• Develop advanced physical capabilities
• Introduce position-specific responsibilities
• Promote team structure and communication
• Increase training intensity and realism under pressure

Session Components Breakdown

Technique – 30%

• Individual Technique (10%)
  • Precision passing, control under pressure, dribbling in tight spaces
  • 1v1 skills with increased complexity
  • Advanced ball manipulation and two-footed development
• Group Technique (20%)
  • Combination play (overlaps, third-man runs)
  • Quick passing in small spaces (e.g., 5v2, rondos, positional games)
  • High-speed execution of technical actions in game-like situations

Tactics – 40%

• Individual Tactics (20%)
  • Decision-making based on pressure, timing, space, and positioning
  • Role-based understanding (e.g., fullback overlapping, striker pressing)
  • Tactical duels: when and how to press, cover, or intercept
• Group/Team Tactics (20%)
  • Structured team shape: attack and defense
  • Compactness and spacing between lines (defense–midfield–attack)
  • Static phases (corners, free kicks, goal kicks – both attacking and defending)
  • Transition play (pressing after loss, counter-attacks)
  • Complex cooperation exercises: movements off the ball, rotations, support angles

✔ Emphasis: All tactics taught through realistic game formats with pressure, opponent interaction, and match-specific objectives.

Physical Development – 30%

• Speed Components:
  • Reaction speed, acceleration, explosiveness, sprinting
• Endurance:
  • Basic (aerobic), anaerobic capacity, and sprint endurance
• Strength:
  • Body weight exercises
  • Paired work and resistance using medicine balls
  • Use of gym and functional training tools (cones, ladders, bands)
  • Posture and spine safety is a top priority
• Motor Coordination & Flexibility:
  • Agility, rhythm, balance, elasticity
  • Neuron-muscular coordination circuits

✔ Methods:

• Circuit training, small competitions, and football-specific fitness activities integrated with technical or tactical elements

Game Formats and Match Play

• 11v11 on full-size pitch
• Emphasis on:
  • Positional roles and team structure
  • Communication and leadership on the field
  • Match-like intensity and decision-making under time/space pressure
• Include:
  • Set plays, build-up from the back, pressing traps, etc.

Key Themes

• Role-based education: “What is expected from me in my position?”
• Synchronization of lines: defensive, midfield, and attacking cohesion
• Tactical flexibility: reacting to different formations and in-game situations
• Constant communication and awareness