How Is The Training Followed?
All communication, training and coaching takes place inside our Elite Football Athlete Programme training app. It's not available publicly, once you enroll you'll receive the link to download the app.
How Is The Testing & Analysis Done?
You'll follow a short series of simple pre-recorded videos, showing you how to set up and perform each test. You'll video yourself performing each test and then send those videos across to our team in the app for analysis.
What Ages Is This Programme Suitable For?
The programme is suitable and scalable for players between the ages of 9-18, whether they are a complete beginner or have S&C training experience.
I'm Concerned About My Child Lifting Weights
Please
read this article which is addresses many common concerns (and myths) around this topic that you may have. Please rest assured that you are in safe hands, the entire programme is centred around safety and the training being appropriate for youth footballers, as well as providing high levels of personal support.
Is It For Male And Female Players?
Yes the programmes is suitable for both males and females.
Is It For Players Of All Positions?
Yes the programme is suitable for players of all positions. Every player can benefit from becoming: stronger, more agile, fitter, more explosive, optimising their mobility/flexibility and faster over a range of distances.
Will They Risk Over-Training?
The risk of over-training is extremely low. Firstly because all of the training is carefully planned and progressed to unlock athletic progress at the same time as reducing injury risk and avoiding over-training, and secondly because you can simply message us at any time within the app if you ever have any concerns which can quickly be addressed and resolved.
Does The Programme Also Cover Off/Pre-Season Training?
Yes the programme covers both in and off season.
Can The Programme Be Followed From Home?
Yes the entire programme is designed to be easily followed from home with a basic range of equipment and in a small space. You will just need access to a local pitch or field for any pitch based sessions.
What Equipment Will I Need?
A standard gym will have everything you need and beginners will start by mainly utilising bodyweight and bands, but if you want to be completely set up to train from home, here is an ideal list:
• Selection of light to medium weights - can be kettlebells or dumbbells
• Selection of mini and pull up resistance bands
• Swiss ball
• Bosu or some form of stability cushion
• TRX or suspension trainer
• A bench
• Pull up bar
• Light and medium weight medicine ball
• A set of markers (if you have hurdles and agility poles too then great)
• A height adjustable step or box
How Much Time Is Required Each Week?
Apart from the pitch session, all sessions can be done from home. Here is how an in-season training week would typically look:
• Monday: Rest
• Tuesday: Lower body session (40 mins)
• Wednesday: Upper body session (40 mins)
• Thursday: Pitch session (15 mins)
• Friday: Core & injury prevention session (40 mins)
• Saturday: Pre-match routine (20 mins)
• Sunday: Recovery day routine (30 mins)
How Do I Communicate With The Coaches Inside The App?
The built in app messenger enables you to send text, voice notes and videos to our coaches. You can message us at any time if you have a question or need help and we'll message you back asap on the same day, usually within 30 minutes during the day.
You can also send us videos of your exercises if you would like feedback on your technique/form. Please note that all communication must be done by a parent or guardian aged 18+.
Where Are You Based?
Matchfit Football is based in England, UK and was founded in 2016, although James has been studying and coaching football S&C privately since 2008, and is now located in Devon, England. James and his team have coached and guided thousands of footballers during that time both online and in-person, now training players worldwide exclusively through our online training platform.
What does the programme training cover?
It's a complete football S&C training system: strength, speed, agility, quick feet, balance, stability, coordination, movement mechanics, stamina, mobility, flexibility, injury resilience, confidence, focus, and self-belief.
It also includes warm-ups, cool-downs, pre-match routines, recovery sessions, and more.
How soon will we see results?
Many players see visible progress within just a few weeks — some even after their first week.
That said, the maximum window for measurable improvement is 90 days, as long as sessions are completed consistently.
What if I'm my child is complete beginner?
That’s totally fine. Many of our players are. We'll guide them from the ground up and ensure they’re never doing anything too advanced before they’re ready.
What if my child already has S&C experience?
That works too. We can start them with slightly heavier loads or with more complex exercises - tailored to their level.