• Encourage players to develop potential, demonstrate independent thought and skill execution and performances relative to overall team strategy in practice and competitive situations
• Physical development is optimised and the player learns to adapt training to maximise competitiveness in matches whilst still training for longerterm development aims
• Providing objective and constructive feedback, and involving players in reviewing this, to maintain confidence and focus

PHILOSOPHY: PREPARING TO COMPETE

This stage is focussed on improving core skills and tactical application (with positional specificity) in competitive environments. Building on this, there is also an emphasis on individualised physical development, with strength, power and anaerobic power (with aerobic endurance being developed as a consequence of appropriately designed anaerobic endurance training) being the focus of the training programme. There needs to be increased player and coach responsibility and expectation for commitment to achieving success. This means the player having full responsibility for managing their lifestyles to fully support the playing, training and education demands that will face players of this age. Investing in appropriately managed, player centred programmes at this final development stage will enable more young Scottish players (who are better prepared) to move through to the professional game. National teams give our young players a developmental experience of competing in International football.