Every age has a different job.

4–5 · First kick

Play, ball mastery and falling in love with the game. Sessions stay short, fun and full of touches.

5–6 · First kick

Lots of ball, lots of smiles. Both feet, simple games, no long queues.

6–7 · Foundation

Both feet, 1v1s and game-like practices. We watch how a child receives, turns and enjoys the contest.

7–8 · Foundation

More 1v1s, first looks up, and the habit of playing with both feet. Still a game, not a lecture.

8–9 · Discovery

Scanning, passing ranges and decision-making under light pressure. The first age many academy scouts attend.

9–10 · Discovery

Technique at a higher speed. Passing with a picture, and the courage to receive on the half-turn.

10–11 · Development

Position play without locking a child in too early. Technique at speed and the habit of playing forward.

11–12 · Development

Scanning, both feet and 1v1s at game speed. Academy and county scouts are out every week at this age.

12–13 · Specialising

Physical growth, game intelligence and a clearer role. Feedback gets more specific — and more honest.

13–14 · Specialising

Bodies change fast. We watch the habits that survive the growth spurt, not one good month.

14–15 · Youth

Tempo jumps. Role, both feet and the decisions in the middle third start to separate players.

15–16 · Youth

Scholarship windows, school-club balance and the jump in tempo. Analysts look at habits, not just highlights.

16–17 · Pathway

Scholarship year. The file has to be honest about level, role and what a club would actually see.

17–18 · Pathway

Scholarship, college, non-league or a first pro deal. Exposure has to be targeted, not scattergun.

18+ · Senior

Non-league, semi-pro and late developers. We match players to clubs that actually watch this level.