2020 Development Centres

 

Background

In December 2010, former First Minister Henry McLeish delivered his Review of Scottish Football, which laid bare the challenges facing our game. The Scottish FA immediately began work on a new strategic plan, Scotland United: A 2020 Vision, incorporating a performance strategy to nurture the country’s best players and establish a clear pathway into the Scotland National Teams.

The 2020 Development Centres are a crucial first step on the pathway, widening the pool of talented male and female players at the base of the Performance Pyramid. The programme is designed to be aspirational and to help players in primary five, six and seven to achieve their full potential.

The Programme

The 2020 Development Centre programme involves weekly two-hour training sessions over a 36 week period. The coaches delivering the programme will provide relevant and challenging content each week in line with with the following session framework:

- Dynamic warm-up activity including speed and agility training

- Micro training sessions to fine-tune technique 

- Game-related practices with a focus on possession

- Micro training sessions to fine-tune technique 

- Game-related practices with a focus on positioning   

- Game play and coaching in the game 

 
In addition to the weekly training sessions, players will receive:

- A homework programme of creative player activities

 

- Twice yearly player assessments

 

- Individual practices to develop their strengths and improve weaknesses

 

- Educational presentations on diet and nutrition and speed development
 

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