Working with children needed specialist knowledge and understanding, which I gained through a mentor working with children and completing children fitness courses.

Coaches need to have a  real understanding of how to bring the best out of young soccer players. The problem is that most of the information out there is based on adult training methods. That’s because the adult body, with regard to training, has been studied pretty thoroughly and that is where the expertise has been developed.

Children have a changing physiology that requires training strategies that adapt and work with a growing body – studies relating to children’s soccer training needs are pretty hard to come by. It’s best to go to specialist sources to put together tailor made soccer training programmes that work with the biomechanics of a growing young body.

Picking up fitness and soccer drills aimed at adults and using them for kids can be damaging and lead to injury problems.

For instance, a child using the wrong running technique can lead to a number of problems including back problems, knee injuries, ankle and hip injuries. Performance is also negatively affected in the areas of speed, agility, strength and explosive power.

The bottom line is, to give children the best chance to play professional soccer, don’t just treat them like mini-me’s or mini-adults. Give them  the best chance by working with their growing physiology.