Competitive Training · U8–U12 (ages 7–12)
Competitive Development
Programs
Two 6-week phases. Developing the physical qualities that let kids become excellent athletes — not training 8-year-olds like mini pros.
First-step quickness, acceleration, deceleration, landing, lateral push-off, reactive agility.
Ball mastery: dribbling, receiving, turning and manipulation — then at speed.
Single-leg stability, squat, hinge, push, pull and core control — bodyweight first.
Program at a Glance
- Space
- 24 × 36 ft turfed shop
- Group size
- Max 6 athletes per group
- In-Person
- 1 × 60 min in-person training / week
- Home Training
- 2 × 30 min home training sessions / week
- Home kit
- Soccer ball, small clear space, cones or household markers; optional band or light dumbbell (no-equipment swaps provided)
- Testing
- Week 1 baseline · Week 6 short retest · Phase 2 tests new athletes only
The Three Levels
Every week includes all three levels. Your coach assigns each athlete a level after day one; switch levels on any week page.
New to structured training or still building base movement.
- Twitch: Landing, posture, short starts
- Ball Mastery: Close control, toe taps, sole rolls
- Strength: Bodyweight basics, technique first
Some training background; moves with confidence.
- Twitch: Faster contacts, change of direction
- Ball Mastery: Turns, receiving, both feet at speed
- Strength: Single-leg and core progressions
Advanced athletes only — usually after several phases.
- Twitch: Reactive jumps, bounds, sprint starts
- Ball Mastery: Combination moves under pressure
- Strength: Loaded work; equipment needed (no-equipment swaps listed)
Phase 1
6 weeks Password requiredThe first 6-week phase: baseline testing, then six weeks of twitch, ball mastery and strength at each athlete's level.
Testing day + landing, posture and first touches
Landing, squat pattern, core and close control
Acceleration posture, quick feet and single-leg control
Deceleration, change of direction and receiving to stop
Faster ground contacts, power and turning
Retesting + a showcase of the phase's skills
Phase 2
6 weeks Password requiredThe second 6-week phase: fresh baseline, then harder progressions at each athlete's level that build on Phase 1.
Fresh testing + lateral speed and turns
Cutting, hinge and push strength, turning with the ball
Reactive starts, receiving across the body, pulling strength
Unpredictable change of direction, single-leg strength
Ball mastery at speed and explosive power
Retesting + skill showcase, progress reports