Schedule, Number of Sessions, Number of Drills

​The annual schedule covers 38 weeks of work with three sessions per week plus a game, including pre-season preparation through the end of the season, for a total of 112 training sessions and around 300 different drills.

Session Structure

​Each training session lasts a maximum of 90 minutes and is organized according to a structure that stays consistent throughout the season, made up of a pre-training phase (Arrival Activity) lasting up to 10 minutes and offered once or twice a week, a core block made up of 9 phases (Performance, Orientation, Duels, Finishing, Depth, Game Understanding, Defensive Skills, Set Pieces, Game) lasting up to 70-80 minutes, and a post-training phase (Third Half) lasting up to 10 minutes and offered once a week.

Key Principles of Play for the U13-U12 Category

​The key principles of play that form the backbone of the program for the U13-U12 category (developed in non-standardized form throughout the season and through a variety of tools) are: fun, cooperation, and self-directed play drills (for the Arrival Activity phase); passing, oriented control on the final pass, ball control under pressure, combining technical skills, 2-3 player combinations, communication during play (for the Game Understanding phase); getting open, creating passing lanes and diagonal runs (for the Depth phase); playing beyond the lines of pressure, isolating 1v1 play in a specific area of the field, the ability to win duels (for the Duels phase); building from the back (always involving the goalkeeper) and transition, managing numerical superiority, decision-making ability (for the Depth phase); finishing, specific offensive movements to get open, attacking the goal and shooting (for the Finishing phase); individual and collective counter-pressing, concepts of protecting the goal and positioning, tackling, individual and collective pressing (for the Defensive Skills phase); set-piece challenges including from spots farther from the goal, corners and direct free kicks, managing throw-ins and goal kicks (for the Set Pieces phase); balance and reaction, general coordination skills, agility and quickness, strength (for the Performance phase); themed/conditioned games and free play (for the Game phase); individual and group exercises (for the Third Half phase).