Most parents focus on their child's technical ability when preparing for a football academy trial. But at U10–U16 level, the first thing a scout sees is physical output — how fast the player accelerates, how quickly they recover, how efficiently they move. Technical ability is assessed in the match phase. Physical readiness is assessed from the first warm-up.
Academy scouts at Category 1 and Category 2 clubs have seen thousands of technically gifted players. What separates a player who gets signed from one who doesn't is often physical — sprint speed, change of direction, physical presence relative to age peers.
Category 1 and 2 academies use a combination of internal benchmarks and scouting data to assess physical readiness. While every club has slightly different thresholds, the following are typical benchmarks for UK youth academies:
*Benchmarks are approximate and vary by club and playing position. EPP assessment provides position-specific comparison data.
If your athlete has a trial date confirmed, 6 weeks is enough time to make a meaningful difference to physical output — provided training is focused and data-led. Here's a framework:
Weeks 1–2 — Baseline and assessment. Get a full performance assessment done immediately. You need to know exactly where your athlete sits against the benchmark before you can train to close the gap. This is where EPP's testing is most valuable — you get the data within 48 hours and can build the next 4 weeks of training around specific deficits.
Weeks 3–5 — Targeted training blocks. If the data shows a deficit in acceleration (0–10m), training should focus on hip extension mechanics, ground contact time and starting position. If the deficit is in change of direction, the focus shifts to deceleration mechanics and plant foot technique. Generic speed training without data is essentially random.
Week 6 — Sharpening and readiness. Reduce volume, maintain intensity. A well-tapered athlete will produce faster times on trial day than one who is fatigued. Sleep, nutrition and mental readiness matter in the final week.
EPP provides athletes with a full written performance report containing their sprint splits, change of direction scores, bilateral strength ratios and force-velocity profile. This report can be shared with the academy as part of the trial application.
Some Category 2 clubs and development centres actively request performance data from independent providers as part of their pre-trial screening. Having a verified EPP report — from Alexander Stadium, Birmingham — demonstrates physical readiness and athletic credibility before the player has touched a ball.
Ben Royal, EPP's founder, holds the FA Level 2 Football Performance Scout Award (FPSA) and works directly with local professional academies. In some cases, EPP data directly supports trial recommendation conversations.
Arrive 30 minutes early. Complete a thorough warm-up independently — don't wait for the structured warm-up. Scouts form impressions in the first 10 minutes based on how an athlete moves, their body language and their energy levels.
Play simple. Academy trials are not the time to attempt things outside your comfort zone. Scouts want to see reliable decision-making under pressure, not spectacular failures. The 90th percentile of academy signings are players who were consistently good, not occasionally brilliant.
Maintain energy for the match phase — that's where signing decisions are made. If you've done the 6-week physical preparation properly, you should feel fresher in the second half than most other players on the pitch.
Sprint testing, agility analysis and force-velocity profiling at Alexander Stadium Birmingham and Platt Lane Manchester. Full written report within 48 hours.