MORE FOOTBALL TRIALS BY FOOTBALL CLUBS HOLDING FOOTBALL TRIALS

Reading FC Academy Open Trials Official Application Process

Potential players are occasionally invited in for a trial period of up to eight weeks with Reading FC Academy.

Here is the official route to get a trial with Reading FC

If you would like a player to be watched by Reading Football Club then please send in as much information about their playing career, including a fixture list for the club they currently play for, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Our recruitment department may then decide to send a scout to watch the player.

As well as contacting the Recruitment Team with full details of a youngster's playing history, it is also possible for talented children to be spotted through our Football in the Community scheme.

MK Dons Academy Football Trials Application process

If you want to apply for trials at MK Dons this is the official route to apply.

please e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details to include in your email;

1. Your full name

2. Your full address including postcode

3. Your contact telephone number

4. Your age

5. Your date of birth

6. School(s) attended

7. The position you prefer to play

8. Your footballing CV or background

9. The current team you play for

10. The fixtures of your current team

11. Any other relevant information, for example, previous experience playing at a Professional Football Club’s Academy

12. Confirmation that you hold a British or EU passport

Please make sure you include your fixtures, including dates, kick-off times and venues, if known.

Please note: The Academy is restricted by time/distance within the Foundation Phase (U7-11) and Youth Development Phase (U12-16). Within the Foundation Phase, travelling is limited by 1 hour and in the Youth Development Phase, travelling is limited by 1 hour 30mins.

An e-mail confirming receipt will be sent to individuals applying for a trial.

This information will then be passed onto one of our scouts, who will report to the Head of Recruitment and Head of Academy Coaching with his recommendation. 

Trial enquiries should be sent to the Academies Head of Recruitment, Daz Waring:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Players must enclose their football CV

Kings Lynn Town FC

For general Trials with Kings Lynn Town FC please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. enclosing a CV Thank you

Crawley Town FC

Are you currently in Year 11 or 12? Interested in a career in football? Email

to apply for our trials this Easter: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Players must pre-register

Birmingham City Official Player Recruitment Process

The player recruitment department is tasked with the monitoring, selection and transition of players operating outside of our Academy environment. The recruitment team will work collectively with our coaches to the identification of players within the three phases of the player pathway.

The priority of the department is to recruit, develop and produce players able to reach the Academy’s core purpose. This process is player centered, focusing on the identification of players able to excel in one or more of the four corners associated to player development and, where possible predominantly recruit from a catchment area within an hour of Birmingham. The strategy will be collaborative in nature, planned and aligned to the profiles through each of the development phases where appropriate.

PRE-ACADEMY

The Pre-Academy is a development programme designed to identify, assess and nurture local talented individuals between 6 - 8 years of age. The primary aim is to develop technically gifted individuals for our U9’s squads who become accustomed to the club’s culture and playing philosophy through weekly training sessions and games, allowing for an easy transition into the Academy way of life. The major emphasis of the programme is technical development. With the use of the clubs training facilities, and a structured coaching syllabus and games programme, our UEFA qualified Academy staff seek to increase player to ball contact time in a fun, inclusive and professional environment.

COMMUNITY TRUST

The Club has a very large Community Trust scheme operating a number of local coaching programmes. The Community Trust run a shadow squad programme for U12-U14 players participating on a weekly basis in a number of local grass root leagues. There is also a full time programme for the U17-U19’s.

Players from within the Community Trust programme can be directly recommended by a member of staff for a trial period. In addition to this, each Community Trust coach working within the shadow squad and on the U17-19 programme acts as a spotter, recommending opposition players they have seen in the fixtures that their respective teams have participated in.

SCHOOLS FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Within the West Midlands area there is a thriving schools football programme. Through community links, it has been identified that there are some young players who only participate in schools’ football and may not be observed participating in local grass root fixtures. There are a number of reasons for this, the most common being a recent move to the area or little/no parental support.

The Academy continually supports West Midland District Schools at both primary and secondary level allowing the use of the training facilities for prestigious games in their calendar. School staff are also invited to Academy CPD events in order to aid their development as coaches. This relationship means there is the opportunity for talented players who are identified by school staff to be recommended directly to the Recruitment Manager/Officer. This may lead to an observation, and if suitable, an invitation to the Academy trial process.

TRIAL APPLICATION

The Academy is always on the lookout for local talented young players. Should you or someone you know, wish to be considered for a trial please follow the procedure set forth below. Players between 9 and 18 years old are asked to send their playing CV and cover letter to the Academy Recruitment Manager and Officer.

Please make sure to include the following:

Player Name
Player Date of Birth
Approx Height and Weight
Contact Address and Telephone Number
Current Club**
Previous Clubs
Details of Previous Trials
School Name
Player Position
Any Representative Honours
** Please include a fixture list of your current team making sure to include location and kick off time.

Upon receipt of your contact the recruitment department will make a decision as to whether a scout will attend your games.

Head of Player Recruitment at Birmingham City Simon Jones This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ASSISTANT ACADEMY MANAGER & HEAD OF COACHING  Stuart English  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cambridge United Academy Trials Official Process 

Cambridge United Football Club are constantly looking for talented young players to join our performance pathway.

If you are looking for a trial in the Academy please send your football CV to Jordan Collins Head of Academy Recruitment by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your Genuine & Official Application for Trials at Port Vale Academy... 

-Please note that in accordance with FA Premier League rules trials can only be offered to players in the Under 9 to Under 11 age group if the player lives within one hour's traveling time of Port Vale Academy.

-Trials can only be offered to players in the Under 12 to 16 age group if the player lives within one-and-a-half hours traveling time of Port Vale Academy.

Players are asked to send a covering letter highlighting your footballing experiences to the Academy by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. players over 16 can apply and also for the Education Scholarship programme

Name:
Age:
School Year:
D.O.B
Address / Contact Number:
Height:
Weight:
Position:
Attributes:
Playing History:
Next 3 fixtures / Venue / Kick off time:

Due to the amount of trial inquiries we receive, please fill out with as much detail as possible, any videos or clips of you playing will help the recruitment process.

On receipt of your email, the recruitment staff will make a decision as to whether a scout will watch your games.

If the recruitment staff feels that the player has shown potential to play at Academy level, an approach will be made to the manager of your club as well as your parents and you will be invited in for a trial with Port Vale Football Club either through our Development Centre’s or into your Academy age group.

St Albans City FC Football trials opportunity
Clarence Park
St Albans
AL1 4PL

Players aged 16 to 18 Only please send CV to emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This information is only visible to Full Members.

Josh at Halesowen Town Academy has informed us of the following trials

Halesowen Town FC Academy Football Trial Dates Announced

These trials are held in the West Midlands of England

for Male footballers Ages 16/18

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info on these trials please inform him Tony at Tony's Soccer School sent you

For Mens Soccer trials in UK Please also Contact for trials and tell them Tony sent you This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Morecambe FC Academy will be hosting player trials

The open trials are for Under 7 to Under 14 age groups (Year 2 to Year 9) and will take place at the Academy training venue, Lancaster & Morecambe College, Morecambe Road, Lancaster LA1 2TY.

Advance booking is essential. We will not be able to accommodate players on the day who have not booked a place.

For more information, please contact Tom Bryan, Academy Head of Recruitment:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

To apply for this trial with Watford FC Academy please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Mansfield Town Football Club are on the lookout for talented young footballers to become part of our September performance group intake.

Havant & Waterlooville FC Academy Open Trials 

PRO FOOTBALL ACADEMIES UK

North London Academy Trials 16 to 19 year olds

New River Sports Centre White Hart Lane London N22 5QW DM us or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ROMFORD FC ESSEX WOMENS FIRST TEAM

Announcement so EXCITING to launch our very first women's 1st team 

this is a massive step we have wanted to take in ladies football and we are ready If you are interested in trials with our first team or our newly launching academy get in touch 07546334073

Stockport County FC Football Trials

Trials are available for start in September so you can Apply for this trial for Stockport County Here copy and paste in your search bar. http://stockportcountyacademy.co.uk/trials/ 

 RUGBY TOWN FC TRIAL  - YR 11/12 FULL TIME FOOTBALL BTEC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. EXPERIENCE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES as a Valley scholar

Brentford FC Football Academy Trial Dates

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has announced that the next trials for its Football Development Centre (FDC) will take place  at Uxbridge High School. The FDC offers talented young players the opportunity to receive elite coaching– enhancing their skills in a player-centred environment.

What does the Football Development Centre involve?

With elite football coaching spanning more than 18 years, players will attend weekly training sessions at venues in Southall, Twickenham and Uxbridge. Goalkeepers are catered for with specialist coaching staff. The FDC includes term-time training in the evening and a structured development match programme against other football sports trusts such as Coventry City, Ipswich Town, MK Dons, Oxford United, Wycombe Wanderers and many more.

Plus, there are established Performance Squads as a level up from the current FDC programme. This initiative provides capable players with the opportunity to play against more skilled teams.

What is the benefit of joining the Football Development Centre?

Parents have highlighted the positive impact our FDC has had on their children.

Damian Christian, whose son attends our FDC, said: “We would like to thank the Brentford FC Football Development Centre and all the coaching staff for helping with Frankie’s footballing progress. He has thoroughly enjoyed the training after joining aged seven, the coaches and methods used by the development centre has had an incredibly strong and positive effect on him as a person and player.”

Simon Cairnes agrees: “When the boys play against other opposition, their superior skills, positioning and tactical knowledge really shines through and shows just how well they are coached.”

What is the criteria for the trials?

The trials are available to:

• boys in school years 1 to 11
• boys who live in Hounslow, Ealing, Richmond, Hillingdon and Spelthorne.

Excitingly, the Football Development Centre will run sessions from Gunnersbury Park’s new sports hub from September. The new £13.8 million sports hub will provide top-class facilities – including two outdoor floodlit artificial grass pitches.

How do I sign up?

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maidenhead Academy football trials

Our Maidenhead United Football Club Academy trials are taking place at the College 

This is for players aged 16 to 19

To register your interest or find out more please email the team at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 ROMULUS FC FOOTBALL TRIALS

With an excellent reputation in both education and sports achievements, Romulus Academy are

holding trials for 16-18 year olds at Castle Vale Stadium, B35 7NH. Contact Richard on 07956187016 for details. 

 Academy of Sport – Trial dates and Open Days AGE 16 TO 18

Come along to one of our trial sessions, meet the coaching team and show us your sporting skills.

FOOTBALL ACADEMY KETTERING CAMPUS
To register your interest in our Football or Rugby Academy or to book a place at a trial session, please contact our team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01536 413123. 

Official Benfica Trial Opportunities Here

Dunstable Town FC U18 PLAYERS FOR CURRENT AND NEXT SEASON

Dunstable Town are planning for next season, looking to add ambitious talent 

If your interested please contact Wayne upton This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tyler dunnell This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hounslow Football Academy trial

AC United Youth Academy football trials

We will be holding trials for the following age groups for next season

:U8s-U16s

If you are interested please email us - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

WATFORD FC FOOTBALL TRIAL DATES

Here is the full selection of Football Trial dates being offered by this Club. Abilities, Ages, Levels.

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WATFORD FC TRIAL

North Herts College Football Academy Trials (16-18 YRS OLD) 

All trials will take place at the North Herts sport centre grass pitch,

Address : North Herts college, Cambridge Road, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 OJD

Trialists will need to wear , moulded or astro turf boots and shinpads.

These trials have now passed

We keep past trials so you can use the information to make enquiries for next trials

Nuturing Talent - the Watford Way

The aim of the Player Development Centres is to provide a professional environment in which to develop skills and techniques. 

The Player Development Centres cater for talented young players who have attended Trust projects and were identified by the coaches as well as those who have been invited following a succesful trial. Once at the centre players work to a syllabus designed to develop all aspects of their game. 
The PDC’s work closely with the Watford FC Academy and talented players may earn the opportunity to play Academy football.

Player Development Centre Venues:

• Watford - Outfield and Goalkeepers 7-16 year olds
• St Albans- Outfield Only 9 -14 years olds
• Ashlyns - Outfield and Goalkeepers 7-17 year olds
• Harrow - U9 - U15 year olds

New look player development centre in Hitchin, to trial to be a part of this centre, see image below;

Trials above will be held at Fullerians Rugby Club, Coningesby Drive, Watford, WD17 3PB AGES 16 TO 19

Apply for them here

WATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB FOOTBALL ACADEMY TRIALS

Delivered by Watford Football Club's Community Sports and Education Trust in partnership with North Herts College, this course offers promising young players the chance to train and study as professional athletes whilst making the transition into the senior level/professional game.

The first trial is Saturday 11th Feb 10:30am – 2pm. 2017

For more information on this trial, click here.  To book your place, click here.

Come back here regularly fr more updates on trials

Here is the very latest information we have regarding trials

Although dates may have past we advise you the contact details as the way to apply for trials or for them to send them to you.

We update all trials daily so visit here regularly and check your emails for update also.

Please do not be alarmed if dates have passed these are just the open trials, you can follow the procedures in this page and just use the contact information in this page.

Even if they do not meet your age, use this as the direct way to contact them and they can advise you further.

Contact Academy Director

Here is the full selection of Football Trial dates being offered by this Club. Abilities, Ages, Levels. 

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JOIN THIS FOOTBALL CLUB HERE!

Apply for Football Trials, Dates, Information & Academy Entry Requirments >> Here

WATFORD FC CONTACT ADDRESS

Contact details relating to contacting this Club

{module how to join this club here custom}

WATFORD ACADEMY
Vicarage Road Stadium,

Vicarage Road,

Watford, Herts, WD18 0ER
T 01923 496 243 F 01923 496 265

E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
W www.watfordfc.com

CONTACTS
CLUB SECRETARY GAYLE VOWELS

T 01923 496 223

E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HEAD OF ACADEMY CHRIS MCGUANE

T 01923 496 243 M 07825 626 236

E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR LESLEY WATTS

01923 496 243

E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HOME VENUE
UCL Sports Ground

ADDRESS
Bell Lane,

London Colney, Herts AL2 1BZ

Watford FC Job Vacancy

Premier League Club, Coaches Required.Apply Here

Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust are seeking highly motivated, responsible and committed individuals to work within its expanding community programme. 

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience of working within grassroots football preferred. 
• Minimum of a Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football Award.
• In addition to this applicants must hold up to date emergency aid and child protection certificates, and be willing to complete a full FA CRB check.
• Full driving licence

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE STANDARD TRIALS

A selection of Football trials offering trials for ability players of the standard Football Championship League Teams.

FOOTBALL TRIALS IN THIS AREA

WATFORD FC Play in the local area, you can find more Football Trials in this area.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE CLUBS TRIALS

Here are more Football Clubs offering trials at Football Championship League Clubs

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE CLUB CONTACT ADDRESSES

Contact addresses & information for clubs in the same league.

FOOTBALL TRIALS BY LEAGUE

Select which League you want Football Trials for.

FOOTBALL TRIALS BY COUNTY. 

Find trials by searching your local County including a Number of Countries.

FOOTBALL TRIALS BY PLAYING ABILITY.

A list of clubs offering trials, enabling you to find the trial that meets your playing ability.

FOOTBALL TRIALS BY DATES.

Your selection of Football trials for a variety of clubs by date order.

FOOTBALL TRIALS BY AGE GROUP.

You can choose all football trials by age groups. Select the age group

relating to your age playing requirments.

PLAYERS REGISTERED. All registered players with Tony's Soccer School, who are seeking or attended

or playing at the same level, Ability and Location as this Club.

Add your CV. You can join Tony's Soccer School and add your CV and submit it here

WATFORD FC TRIAL LOCATIONS

Locations of Football trials where they are operated from relating to this club.

WATFORD FC YOUTH & ACADEMY

Information relating to everything concerning the youth and acdemy of the club.

ACADEMY

Information of Other Premier League Academies

WATFORD FC ACADEMY PLAYERS

WATFORD FC COACHING STAFF

WATFORD FC JOBS

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Watford Football Academy is developed in order to invest in upcoming footballing talent and provide the network, coaching, health and lifestyle advice that each player needs to make a successful career in football. If you are looking for a career in football, and live in the Watford catchment, then your best chance will be to join Watford Academy.

About Watford Academy

Watford Academy offer an advanced football development and education programme supported by expert and dedicated staff. Watford Academy is located at: London Colney, B556, Hertfordshire AL2 1BZ

Watford Academy use advanced technology and coaching methods to develop their players. They are actively looking for upcoming talent to join their academy, and are very selective about who gets in, as competition is tough.

With the changes that have taken place in the football academy system. Academy Category 1 clubs are now free (U12+) to recruit from all over the nation.

Previously, Category 1 clubs could only recruit talent within a 90 minute travelling time to the academy, but the FA have reconsidered this following thinking that the best talent should only fairly be allowed to play in the best academies even if they do not live nearby. This gives the very best talent the very best chances of success, thus growing our home grown talent for the international stage.

This has seen a rise in host families being recruited at Watford Academy, to help house young promising talent in safe family environments.

Upcoming Fixtures at Watford Academy

Watford Academy has a whole programme of upcoming activities, fixtures and events. Check the times of each match or look up the match venue for any of the Watford Academy age groups.

How to get a trial at Watford Academy

You must be selected to have a trial at Watford Academy, so it is important that players are spotted in the right places at the right times. For some players, they prefer a direct approach sending in links to videos of themselves playing football, but it is worth bearing in mind that clubs recieve thousands of these videos each week and simply don’t have time to watch them all and go about their daily business, so the most effective way of getting scouted for a trial at Watford Academy is to join a Watford FC Soccer Schools. Scouts regularly select young players from soccer school sessions and invite them to trial at the development centres for Watford, and anyone can play in their soccer schools so it offers an open door for all to get spotted.

It is also particularly good planning to take your child to soccer schools as soon as they are old enough, as their competition will be doing the same, so it enables them to develop their talents in line with the same level as their peers.

How to get scouted by a Watford Academy scout

Watford Academy scouts offer players the chance to trial. Many players are lucky enough to find themselves in the right places when scouts are watching games, but Watford are also very aware that good talent can slip through the net, so do offer players the chances to directly contact them with the below details.

Understandably they are unable to respond to everybody due to the volume of applications, but this does serve as an effective way to alert scouts about talent looking to take their football to the next level and secure a trial for Watford Academy.

To get scouted for a trial, Watford Academy will require the following information:

• Players CV
• Covering Letter
• Players Vital Statistics: Players position, Age, Date of Birth, Height, Weight, contact email/phone/address, current club, previous clubs, detail of any trials already attended, any representative honours such as school, districts, county etc
• Players school they attend
• Fixture list of your current team, including location and kick off time to be passed to scout

Watford Academy will assess your application and decide whether or not to send a scout to watch the game.

Syllabus at Watford Academy

The training programme at Watford Academy is broken into technical and tactical training, with a special module for Goalkeepers. The below demonstrates:

• The professional development phase at the Watford Academy
• The youth development phase at the Watford Academy
• The foundation phase at the Watford Academy
• The youth / professional development phase at the Watford Academy
• The foundation development goalkeeper phase at the Watford Academy

Professional Development Phase at Watford Academy

Outfield Players – Technical

• Passing – Playing forwards through tight passing channels
• Receiving the ball – Receiving the ball in the air to pass in the least number of touches
• Passing – Generic passing practises to move the ball on two touches
• Running / Dribbling with the ball – Developing the 1st touch to break through a variation of receiving surfaces
• Running / Dribbling with the ball – Variations in the dribble to advance in 1 v 1’s
• Shooting – Shifting the ball to get shots off under pressure
• Passing – Keeping the ball moving for a long period of time
• Manipulating the ball – Shifting the ball across the body with a variation of surfaces
• Turning – Turning away from pressure and protecting possession of the ball

Outfield Players – Tactical

• Possession (Playing out from the back) – Midfield rotation to receive high and low open up passing channels
• Possession (Retaining the ball to penetrate) – Working in front or behind opponents to retain the ball looking to play forwards
• Possession (Game management) – Playing with and against an overload (the extra man)
• Attacking (Counter attacking) – Breaking from the defending third
• Attacking (Centrally) – Playing between lines and breaking lines with and without the ball
• Attacking (Wide areas) – 1 v 1’s, 2 v 2’s to create goalkeeping opportunities
• Defending (Individual) – Approach to the ball dependent on the opposition and area of the pitch
• Defending (Groups & Units) – Defending later and deeper
• Defending (Making play predictable, Regains and Possession Decision) – Pressure as the team/group hunting the ball for quick regain

Goalkeepers

• Goalkeeper support – Variety of passes and support for players in possession
• Goalkeeper support – Awareness of best option looking to penetrate with distribution
• Goalkeeper support – How the goalkeeper can affect the state of the game
• Goalkeeper defending – How to deal with 1 v 1 situations in game situations
• Goalkeeper defending – Early shots always being set in and around the box
• Goalkeeper defending – Positioning and decision making in dealing with the cross
• Goalkeeper communications – Organisation and support to the defender
• Goalkeeper communications – Communications to players away from the ball
• Goalkeeper communications – Developing the goalkeeper to compact

Foundation Phase at Watford Academy

Outfield Players – Technical

• Protecting the Ball – Setting the scene for receiving on the safe side – guidelines for success
• Passing – Short, quick and high tempo passing in small groups
• Receiving the Ball- Developing the set as part of link play to move the ball forwards
• Turning – Developing turns under passive pressure to include disguise
• Shooting – Longer distance shooting relevant to the age of the group
• Running / Dribbling With the Ball – Long and thin practices to practice breaking into space from a dribble or receiving the ball
• Shooting – One touch finishing around the goal on angles with pressure approaching
• Passing – Passing within larger areas focusing on techniques to a longer pass (floor / aerially)
• Manipulating the Ball – Quick foot movements to manipulate a small skills ball

Outfield Players – Tactical

• Possession (Individual) – Developing players to receive the ball and maintain possession on their safe side
• Possession (Group Play) – Develop players to receive and play away from pressure in small groups
• Possession (Directional) – Possession / wave practises maintaining the speed of the ball from start to finish
• Attacking (Individual) – Changes of direction and speed to beat opponents
• Attacking (Groups) – Small group attacking practices (4v4, 5v5). Movement/combinations to create and exploit space
• Attacking (with/against overloads) – Small sided games working on creating and exploiting space on the transition
• Defending (Pressure the Ball) – Basic principles to approaching a player in possession
• Defending (Small Groups) – Possession based practices focusing the change of roles based on the movement of the ball
• Defending (Regaining to Play) – Regaining the ball and countering to a scoring conclusion

Goalkeepers

• Goalkeeper support – Passes and throws to start play
• Goalkeeper support – Choosing the best distribution option
• Goalkeeper support – Using the ball quickly after making a save
• Goalkeeper defending – Throw ball situations and close range shots
• Goalkeeper defending – Attacking the ball and parrying away to safe areas
• Goalkeeper defending – Making recovery saves within the game
• Goalkeeper communications – To defenders individually and as part of a unit
• Goalkeeper communications – Developing the ability to be clear and concise
• Goalkeeper communications – Start positions in relation to the ball

Goalkeeper Youth / Professional Phase at Watford Academy

Goalkeepers – Technical

• Distribution – Out of the back to the best option and supporting the play
• Crossing – Dealing with deep crosses into the 18 yard box and transition to distribute
• Shot Stopping – Into line and down the line of the ball for angled strike
• Handling – Dealing with low balls around the set position inclusive of the 1v1 encounter
• Shot Stopping – Dealing with low, medium and high dives from a central and angled strike
• Crossing – Dealing with crosses centrally and to front post areas
• Shot Stopping – Dealing with close reaction shots, double and triple saves
• Distribution – Technique of starting counter attacks, choice of delivery
• Crosses – Dealing with crosses centrally and to the back post area

Goalkeepers – Tactical

• Goalkeeper support – Start play using a variety of passes and providing angles for support for players in possession
• Goalkeeper support – Awareness of best option looking to penetrate with distribution
• Goalkeeper support – Managing the game and understanding how the goalkeeper can affect the state of the game
• Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with 1v1 game situations
• Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with early shots always being set in and around the box
• Goalkeeper defending – Positioning in relation to the ball, decision making on dealing with the cross
• Goalkeeper communications – Organisation and support to the defender (clear and concise information)
• Goalkeeper communications – Communications to players away from the ball
• Goalkeeper communications – Developing the goalkeeper to compact play through the line taken by the defending players

Goalkeeper Foundation Phase at Watford Academy

Goalkeepers – Technical

• Handling – Footwork set in position with a variation of serves
• Distribution – Playing out from the back from feet and hands, providing angels of support
• Handling – Variation of handling practices concluding with penetrative distribution
• Shot Stopping – Dealing with 1v1 encounter
• Shot Stopping – Low, medium and high diving sales from central
• Distribution – Technique of longer distribution for feet and hands (classic counter attacks)
• Shot Stopping – Speed of movement across the goal in the line down the line of the ball for an angled strike
• Handling – Technique of dealing with low balls in and around the body
• Crossing – Basic technique and positioning (in relation to the ball) covering balls into front middle far areas

Goalkeepers – Tactical

• Goalkeeper support – Using a variety of passes and throws to start play
• Goalkeeper support – Choosing the best distribution option
• Goalkeeper support – Using the ball quickly after making a save
• Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with through ball situations and learning how to deal with cross range shots
• Goalkeeper defending – Attacking the ball and parrying away to safe areas in game situations
• Goalkeeper defending – Making recovery saves within the game
• Goalkeeper communications – Communication to defenders individually and as a unit
• Goalkeeper communications – Developing the ability to be clear and concise
• Goalkeeper communications – Set positions in relation to the ball

Join Watford Academy

For direct communication with the Watford Academy, you can visit the Watford Academy website.