What Actually Happens in a Technical Training Session?
When your child enjoys football, it is natural to wonder what they could be doing to develop their skills further.
Team training is an important part of a young player's development, but focused technical sessions can give players additional opportunities to work on the individual skills they use throughout every match.
At AFC Whyteleafe, our Technical Training sessions are designed to give young players more time with the ball, more opportunities to practise key skills and the confidence to use them in games.
But what actually happens during a session?
More Time on the Ball
One of the biggest benefits of technical training is simple: players get plenty of opportunities to have the ball at their feet.
Rather than spending long periods waiting for their turn, players are encouraged to be actively involved throughout the session. This means more touches, more repetition and more chances to practise and improve.
For young players, repetition is important. The more comfortable they become controlling the ball, the more naturally those skills begin to appear during matches.
Developing Close Control
Close control is one of the foundations of good football.
Players work on keeping the ball close, changing direction, moving with the ball and controlling it in different situations. These skills can help players feel more comfortable when they are under pressure from an opponent.
Technical Training provides the opportunity to practise these movements repeatedly in a supportive environment, helping players become more confident and composed with the ball.
Passing and Receiving
Football isn't just about what you can do when you have the ball at your feet. Being able to receive, control and move the ball effectively is just as important.
Sessions include activities that help players develop their passing and receiving skills, including the ability to control the ball and play their next pass quickly.
These are skills that young players can take straight into their team training and matches.
Learning to Make Decisions
Technical ability and decision-making go hand in hand.
Young players need to learn not only how to control or move the ball, but also when to use different skills.
Through games and practical activities, players are encouraged to make decisions for themselves. Should they pass? Can they turn? Is there space to dribble into? Should they keep possession?
The aim is to help players become more confident in recognising situations and choosing their next action.
1v1 Skills and Confidence
Being able to take on an opponent is an important part of attacking football.
Players have opportunities to practise 1v1 situations, working on techniques such as changing direction, using changes of speed and protecting the ball.
These situations can also help build confidence. A player who becomes more comfortable taking on an opponent in training is more likely to feel confident trying it during a match.
Putting Skills Into Practice
Technical training shouldn't be about learning skills in isolation.
Once players have worked on individual techniques, they need opportunities to use them in realistic situations. That's why sessions include games and activities where players can put their skills, movement and decision-making into practice.
The goal is to help players understand when and where they can use the skills they have been developing.
A Session Designed for Player Development
Every player develops at a different pace, and football should be enjoyable while still providing opportunities to improve.
Our Technical Training sessions are designed for young players of different abilities, whether they are already playing for a team or simply looking to become more confident with the ball.
The focus is on helping players develop their technique, understanding and confidence through practical, engaging football activities.f
Who Is Technical Training For?
AFC Whyteleafe Technical Training is available for Years 2–6 and is suitable for boys and girls of all abilities.
Whether your child is already playing regularly and wants to take their skills to the next level, or they simply love football and want more opportunities to practise, Technical Training can provide an additional environment for development.
Sessions take place on Thursday evenings at Warlingham School, providing an indoor training environment where players can focus on their football skills.
Give Your Child More Opportunities to Develop
Sometimes improving as a footballer isn't about doing something completely different. It's about getting more opportunities to practise the fundamentals, building confidence through repetition and learning how to use those skills in real football situations.
That's what our Technical Training sessions are designed to provide.
Want to see whether Technical Training is right for your child?
Get in touch with AFC Whyteleafe or book a trial session and give your child the opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence and get more out of their football.
AFC Whyteleafe Technical Training – more touches, more practice and more opportunities to develop.