Academy Program – SwitchedOn Saints

THE ACADEMY PERFORMANCE PLAN

CREATING YOUR PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE

Powerful and adaptable, The Academy Performance Plan is the player centered strategy that ensures our Club consistently produces young players who compete at the highest levels of professional soccer. The same plan is available to our global partners.

It provides a systematic approach for you to deliver The Southampton Way – the defined playing style and the coaching philosophy at the heart of our Club.

By providing direct access to our strategy, people and expertise, the Academy Performance Plan provides a framework for you to maximize the potential of your players and embed a culture of excellence within your Club at every level.

The Southampton Way – Player Development Model

1. Technical Excellence

Players are developed the Southampton Way—to be confident, creative, and technically outstanding. Training emphasizes ball mastery, intelligent movement, and precise execution under pressure. Our UEFA-licensed coaches, guided by Southampton FC’s renowned development philosophy, inspire players to control the tempo, pass with purpose, and finish with precision. Each session builds complete footballers who think quickly, act decisively, and play with both flair and discipline.

2. Tactical Awareness

We teach players to understand the game, not just play it. Sessions focus on positional intelligence, transitional play, and decision-making within our academy’s game model. Players learn how to read the game, adapt to various systems, and make effective tactical choices. Through video analysis, small-sided games, and structured match scenarios, we ensure players develop a deep understanding of roles, responsibilities, and how to influence the outcome of the game as part of a collective unit.

3. Physical Development

Our physical program mirrors elite professional standards—integrating strength, speed, endurance, and movement efficiency. Each player follows an age-appropriate athletic plan designed to enhance performance while preventing injury. Our focus is not only on power and agility but also coordination, flexibility, and recovery. With expert support from sports scientists and conditioning specialists, athletes develop the physical resilience needed to meet the demands of the modern game.

4. Psychological Growth

We develop mentally strong, self-aware, and resilient young people. Mental performance sessions help players handle pressure, set goals, and build confidence through reflection and feedback. Our environment encourages a growth mindset—where challenges are embraced and learning never stops. Players are taught to lead, communicate, and perform consistently through focus and emotional control, creating individuals who excel both on and off the pitch.

5. Lifestyle & Character

At Southampton, we believe good players are built on great people. Education, nutrition, rest, and conduct are integral parts of our program. Players are mentored to live as professionals—balancing football, academics, and personal life with discipline and integrity. Our holistic approach builds character, leadership, and a lifelong respect for teamwork, humility, and community contribution.

KIT

OUR OBJECTIVE

To nurture our defined playing style in all our Academy teams and deliver our coaching philosophy that provides player-centered, holistic and phase specific support to each Academy player.

OUR STYLE

The Southampton Way is our defined playing style and it’s delivered in two parts: Our Culture – how we act, behave, our values Our Football Philosophy – playing and coaching

OUR APPROACH

This is how we deliver Southampton Way across coaching, sports science, medical, education, welfare and recruitment.

OUR PRODUCTIVITY

Ultimately, we are defined by results. We have a proven track record of producing players who perform at the elite level.

SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Individual Development Plan

It provides a systematic approach for you to deliver The Southampton Way – the defined playing style and the coaching philosophy at the heart of our Club.

Video Analysis

As part of the program, players benefit from detailed video analysis sessions. By studying the European style of play, athletes gain deeper insight into the game, allowing them to recognize strengths, target areas for growth, and elevate their overall performance.

Elite competition

Our student-athletes will compete against other elite school programs together with tournaments in the USA and UK. An annual coaching and academy experience trip to Southampton FC in the UK will be available to all players.

PLAYER REPORTS

We will compile a professional player report noting strengths and weaknesses and say how the player can improve, identify current level of performance, and recommend next steps. This will greatly help our coaches with each players Individual Player development Plan.

High School

Players 16-18 years of age will be selected to play against our UK international Premier League and EFL partner teams. These could be teams such as Robie Fowler Academy “Liverpool FC partner academy”, Thomas Bennett Academy “Chelsea FC partner academy”, Queens Park Rangers high school academy to mention just a few.

An annual coaching and academy experience trip to Southampton FC in the UK will be available to all players.

Elementary and Middle school

Fixtures will be arranged against other school teams will be arranged.

An annual international tour will be arranged to Southampton FC in the UK where players will play other academy teams.