I’ve been spending significant time refining multiple developmental models here in Madrid, alongside publishing a series of white papers and long-form articles on Substack. I’m now migrating that work here to centralize the research, frameworks, and ongoing thinking in one place. More to come.

At Forms Academy, we place children in training environments designed for growth. This sometimes means boys and girls train together, or younger players train with older ones. At other times, an older player may train with younger peers. These decisions are not about fairness in the short term but about what is best for each child’s long-term development. Boys and Girls in the Same Session Boys and girls build football skills through the same brain and body processes. Training together gives both groups valuable benefits. Girls often face faster speeds of play, which sharpens their decision-making. Boys encounter different movement and rhythm patterns, which force them to adapt. This variety helps all players become more complete and resilient. Younger Players Training with Older Younger players grow when they are pushed just beyond what feels comfortable. Training with older players increases the speed of decision-making and helps them adjust to higher physical and cognitive demands. It also allows older players to lead and refine their technique against younger, faster opponents. Older Players Training with Younger Sometimes, an older player needs to train with a younger group. This can happen when they need to rebuild confidence, recover from injury, or correct technical gaps that would otherwise be hidden in faster environments. Slowing the game down allows them to reset their foundation before moving forward again. It is not a punishment but a smart developmental step. Training Up is Not the Same as Playing Up Parents often ask why their child cannot simply play up in games if training up is helpful. The answer is that training is controlled and guided by coaches. We can raise or lower the level of challenge, stop, or adjust as needed. Games cannot be adjusted. If a player is not ready for the speed and physicality, they may get fewer touches, lose confidence, or develop poor habits. Training is where we create stretch. Games are where children consolidate what they have learned.

Check out the discussion here or go straight to the Classrom