• Continue the development of technique and game understanding in players.
• Devise practices that develop player's decision-making abilities in and out of possession and team tactics.
• Foster individual physical development, competitiveness and commitment to set goals.
• Promote commitment to maintaining intensity in training sessions.
• Continually provide objective and constructive feedback: this is important in maintaining confidence and focus.

PHILOSOPHY: DEVELOPING THE PLAYER

During this stage, players enter peak height velocity (PHV: the growth spurt associated with the onset of puberty), which means that coaches will have to differentiate between early, normal and late maturing players. Whilst a player may be 14 years old chronologically, they can be physically still 11 (late maturer) or up to 17 (early maturer). The physical development age of the player will dictate the physical input into their programme. As players' skill and game competence develops, technical - tactical development becomes more emphasised. During this stage, the player will be more identified as a committed athlete. This commitment should be reflected in the player being self-motivated, being able to work towards goals and being able to realistically evalutate their own ability. Being able to regulate the training and number of games of individuals at this stage will prevent overloading of the players capacities, and provide equitable playing opportunities for young players regardless of their ability. This means taking a player centred approach to balancing the demands put on talented players who may be approached to play for school, junior club, professional club, regional squads and Scottish age-group teams. The focus of training is still on development: players' natural desire to win on the park should be fostered by the coaches, but training should not be focused on preparing a team to win, but on developing the individual players.