How the best football academies in the world develop their players with Jack Ade, Matt Allen and Perry Stewart

Pacey Performance Podcast

On this week's Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Head of Performance at Rangers FC, Jack Ade, Head of Academy Performance at Arsenal FC, Perry Stewart and Head of Academy Physical Development at Tottenham Hotspur FC, Matt Allen. This episode was recorded as a video roundtable in 2021 when Jack was leading the academy at Liverpool FC. Its an all-star line-up when it comes to physical development in football.

In the first half of this episode, Jack talks about planning and periodisation and how he maximises training time when contact time is limited. This will certainly resonate with those out there that have worked in the acadmey environment. We then dive into a discussion about the variation in training focus across the age groups which is where Matt gives some great examples from Tottenham.

In the second half we discuss training individualisation and coaching speed at the academy level. Here, Perry gives an insight into how he uses maturation data to inform training and how its impact has changed over time. Then we finish off with some questions from those who were on the live roundtable including how to get a job in academy football.

For anyone in or wanting to get into a football academy as a performance specialist, this one is for you.

Main talking points -

• Planning and periodisation
• Maximising training time when contact is limited
• Structuring sessions with large groups and few coaches • Training focus variation through the age groups
• Testing and monitoring
• Managing periods of rapid growth and maturation
• What KPI's/performance markers are you assessing regularly
• Training and individualisation
• Is individualisation a myth? When should academy S&C coaches be looking to individualise training?
• Training speed
• Tips for people wanting to get into academy football