What Is Technical Development—and How Does It Help Your Child?

You’ll often hear us describe CPS as specialists in technical development. But what does that actually mean? And if your child already trains with a football team, what does it add?

For us, it means giving players dedicated time to practise the techniques they use throughout a game—with plenty of contact on the ball, structured practices and coaches who help them understand how to improve.

Why we focus on technique

My belief in technical development comes from my own experience as a player, moving from grassroots football into an academy environment.

One of the biggest differences I noticed was the opportunity to work repeatedly on the fundamentals of my game. The structure, coaching and repetition gave me time to focus on specific techniques, and I could see the difference in my own ability.

That experience helped shape what we do at CPS: give children access to a focused coaching environment where they can work on those foundations alongside their usual football.

What does technical development include?

Technique matters wherever your child plays on the pitch. It includes skills such as:

• Playing accurate short passes.

• Using different techniques for longer passes and through balls.

• Dribbling and controlling the ball.

• Developing the techniques needed when defending.

It isn’t just about learning something that looks impressive. Often, it means becoming more consistent at the simple actions that happen again and again during a match.

A short pass might look straightforward, but its accuracy, weight and timing all affect what the next player can do with the ball.

What does a CPS session look like?

Our coaching principles are simple: plenty of repetition, frequent involvement and clear feedback.

We aim for players to make around 50–100 passes during a session, with short, sharp practices creating lots of opportunities to work with the ball. That is a coaching target, rather than a guaranteed count for every child in every session.

But repetition alone isn’t the whole point. Players also need help understanding what they are practising and how to improve it.

We work to a 10:1 player-to-coach ratio, using structured practices where coaches can break down techniques, explain adjustments and give players opportunities to try again.

The aim is a purposeful, energetic session where children spend plenty of time involved, practising and learning.

How does this fit alongside grassroots football?

Grassroots teams play a hugely important role in children’s development. They provide opportunities to enjoy football, build friendships, understand teamwork and experience matches.

Many also deliver excellent technical coaching. However, a team’s training time has to cover a lot: individual skills, positions, team organisation and preparation for games. Volunteer coaches often manage all of that with limited time, space and resources.

CPS provides additional time specifically for technical work.

We want our sessions to complement what children do with their existing teams. They can spend focused time practising individual techniques with us, then have opportunities to use those skills in their wider football.

What progress might parents notice?

Progress will look different for every player. Children arrive with different experience, confidence and starting points, so there is no single timetable everyone follows.

Over six to eight months, we have seen substantial improvements in some players who train with us regularly. Parents have also told us they can see a difference in their child’s football.

Those observations are encouraging, but they aren’t a promise of a particular outcome. Technical training is one part of a player’s development, alongside their team football, enjoyment and other opportunities to practise.

Our focus is on giving each child consistent opportunities to work on their game and move forward from their own starting point.

What we mean by “technical development specialists”

At CPS, we believe the fundamentals deserve dedicated attention.

That means a structured environment, plenty of purposeful repetition and coaches who help players understand the techniques they are practising.

Whether your child wants to feel more comfortable playing for their grassroots team or has ambitions to play at a higher level, our aim is to help them build their skills and explore their potential.

Interested in trying a session? Book a free CPS trial, or visit our Parent FAQs for practical information.