Season 2026/27
Coaching Programme
Every player follows a clear, progressive development journey across the season. Training is organised into focused coaching blocks, with each block building naturally on the one before it.
Our Season
Block 1
Next block.Own the Ball
7 September – 16 October 2026
- Receive
- Manipulate
- Turn
- Protect
- 1v1
Block 2
Head Up
- Scan
- See
- Receive
- Recognise Pressure
- Decide
Block 3
Beat the Player
- Attack Space
- Change Direction
- Change Speed
- Disguise
- 1v1
Block 4
Connect & Create
- Pass
- Move
- Combine
- Support
- Create Chances
Block 5
Play Forward
- Receive Forward
- Pass Forward
- Run Forward
- Break Lines
- Penetrate
Block 6
Create & Finish
- Create Space
- Shoot
- Combine
- Finish
- Score
mind.
Players learn to see, understand and make decisions.
technique.
Players develop the ability to control, manipulate and execute with the ball.
play.
Players learn to apply their skills against opposition in realistic football situations.
Inside a block
Six Weeks
Here's an example of Block 1, the season opener for 26/27.
Building confident players who are comfortable with the ball under pressure.
What will players learn?
Week 1
Receive & Go
Using the first touch to move into space and prepare for the next action.
Week 2
Manipulate & Move
Developing close control and using different parts of the foot to move the ball effectively.
Week 3
Turn & Escape
Recognising pressure, changing direction and escaping into space.
Week 4
Protect & Keep
Using the body and the ball effectively to maintain possession when under pressure.
Week 5
Beat the Player
Developing confidence to attack opponents 1v1, change direction and accelerate away.
Week 6
Own the Ball: Challenge Week
Putting everything together through challenges, competition and lots of football.
Mind
Recognise space, pressure and opportunities to attack.
Technique
Receive, manipulate, turn, protect and dribble with confidence.
Play
Apply these skills against opponents and use them to create opportunities to score.
What we want to see
By the end of the block, we want players to become more confident in possession and increasingly able to:
- Keep the ball
- Escape pressure
- Attack space
- Beat an opponent
- Create chances
- Score goals
Why every week counts
The best week to start is this one. Your six sessions begin when you join, so there is no waiting for the next block to come round.
From there it is about being there every week. Each session builds on the last, and that is what moves a player on. Dropping in is great, but consistency is what makes real progress.
we want players to enjoy having the ball — and have the confidence to use it.
Train every week the block builds on — a membership holds the place.
Sign Up
In every session
Technology With Purpose
Every session incorporates ESA technology and SMARTGOALS alongside high-quality coaching.
The technology is selected to support the week's theme — through Block 1 that means interactive challenges developing reactions, awareness, ball control and decision-making. The same equipment measures players in testing sessions, so they can see what has changed.
Football. Competition. Goals.
We believe players learn by playing. Sessions include opposed practices, 1v1s, small-sided games and plenty of opportunities to score goals.
At the end of each school term, our normal programme gives way to Games Week.
One programme. Different challenges.
Players across The 7 Academy follow the same overall development journey.
The level of challenge, complexity, pressure and coaching is adapted appropriately for each age and ability level.
School holidays
Half-terms and school holidays provide different development opportunities, sitting alongside the main Academy programme:
- Half-Day Camps
- Masterclasses
- 3v3 Events
- Talent ID
- Testing Sessions
Start where the block starts
Join In
A membership holds your child's place for the whole block, so they train every week the programme builds.