In every sport it is vital that you analyse and understand what is required in order to be successful. This knowledge then allows coaches to guide and develop each athlete to help them reach their potential. Research has shown that it is vitally important that we introduce basic physical literacy at an early age; these FUNdamental principles of movement will provide the core skills which must be in place in order for the athlete to build up on and develop.

UDG's development plan includes implementing a four tier player development model (4TPD) and targets the key points and aims throughout a players development.

4 Tier Player Development Plan

This is a vital stage where participants are capable of learning new skills at an accelerated rate and where most movements are learnt effectively. The FUNdamental movements (A,B,Cs- agility, balance and coordination) that are the building blocks and cornerstone for all sporting movements are effectively developed here.

It is also during this part of the tier where we place vital importance on the holistic development (social, psychological, personal and emotional) of each participant so that each participant not only learns how to perform a technique but is also capable of making simple decisions and understands how and why it needs to be done.

The main part of this tier is FUN! This so each participant learns to enjoy and love physical activity.

These skills are developed through both our Multi skills and little stars programmes.

This part of the tier system allows performers to take part in sport and develop and build on all the skills learnt in tier 3. The target here is to simply ensure that all participants are having fun and are enjoying being physically active. During this tier emphasis also is placed on the social aspects of physical activity but still offers the opportunity to be challenged.

This tier also continues to help educate all of the participants about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and fitness but in a stress free way where there is no pressure on them to perform, simply to play for the enjoyment that they get out of it.

The UDG junior/development Academy allows all of the aims from this tier to be achieved and completed by all participants.

This tier focuses on players that are motivated and determined to improve their performance levels. At this stage the performers refine and perfect their technical skills but also understand how to make the correct decisions during performance. Tactical knowledge is also integrated into each session and more complex skills are added to ensure that all players are challenged.

At this stage players are also taught to understand the importance of other factors that play a huge part in their development (these include nutrition, physical conditioning, psychological factors and how to correctly prepare and recover before and after games/ training) and take ownership and responsibility for themselves in these areas.

The UDG elite soccer academy is specifically tailored to suit players with aspirations to achieve their potential and possibly make the final step up to elite performance.

This tier is for the players that potentially have the physical attributes, psychological skills and soccer ability to make it to the top.

The skills, techniques and knowledge from all of the earlier tiers build to peak here. The players here are expected to be highly motivated and determined to succeed if they are to be successful. Here the players are constantly challenged to perform the correct skills and techniques in high tempo game specific sessions making the right decisions when it counts. All aspects of the player will be analysed and worked on but specific emphasis will be placed on tactical knowledge and position specific development.

Again the UDG soccer academy is specifically tailored for these players and the links that we have in professional soccer allows us to give people the opportunities to make it to the very top.

This 4TPD plan has been revised and put together by the Ultimate Development Group to increase participation and performance levels within their pathways. Participants of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to be part of our tier system and get out of sport whatever they want to!