U7-U8 Football Pre-Academy Player Guide

The most promising 7 and 8 year olds in a professional development environment, and the parents supporting them towards the academy pathway.

60 detailed content cards across 19 chapters, a numbered contents page, a Your Top Tips summary, and a closing message. Covers welcome and mindset, the right attitude and standards, coachability and learning, ball mastery, first touch, passing and vision, dribbling and 1v1, shooting and finishing, game intelligence and scanning, movement off the ball, defending, mental performance, individual practice, nutrition and hydration, sleep and recovery, physical development, through the season, the pathway and the U9 decision, and preparing for the academy. Includes 11 practice drills.

A young player with academy-standard ball mastery under pressure, a first touch and scanning habit that create time and space, bravery and skill in the 1v1, sharp decision-making, strong mental standards, and the perspective to handle the U9 decision, signed or not, with their confidence and love of the game intact.

Part of the Sports Progression Hub U7-U8 football range, the premium top tier above the Grassroots and Elite Player Guides, and the culmination of the U7-U8 player pathway before U9 academy football. Handles the U9 signing decision and non-selection with genuine care, keeping the child's wellbeing and love of the game central. Produced in the Sports Progression Hub house style and ready to use straight away.