Smithway Player Development Program
A complete Full Year home training path designed to build confidence, control, and game-ready skill one concept at a time.
How the Program Works
The Smithway Club-Year Program follows a full Year development path no matter your start date.
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The year is organized into 12 four-week development blocks, with 4 Beautiful Game Gap weeks. Each block introduces three connected concepts, followed by a fourth week of review and game application.
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Your player always knows what to work on next without being overloaded with too much information at once.
Program Includes:
- 52 weeks of structured training
- 12 Four-week development blocks
- 4 Beautiful Game Weeks
- Blocks = 3 concept weeks followed by 1 review week
- Short, repeatable home sessions
- Training videos
- Easy to Follow field guides
- game-based review activities
- Consistent technical development at home
How to Use This Program
• Start with Block 1 Week 1
• Print out the Field guide with each block
• Train 2 times per week if possible
• Keep sessions short: 15-25 minutes
• Complete one week at a time
• Use Week 4 to review and apply concepts
• Repeat weeks for more confidence
• Move forward when your player is ready
Say less. Let them try more.
The Smithway Development System
The full curriculum is built from seven development areas, but each week focuses on one clear concept so players stay engaged and parents know exactly what to reinforce.
- Foundation Footwork
- First Touch Juggling
- Ball Striking
- Offensive Recognition
- Ball Protection
- Body Position & Receiving
- Aerial Control
These areas work together across the year. They are not taught as seven separate assignments every week.
Blocks 1-6
Block 1: Sensory Foundation
Weeks 1–4
Build speed, control, awareness, and confidence with the ball.
Ball Confidence
First Touch Base
Vision
Foundation Review
Block 2: Facing and Being Dangerous
Weeks 5–8
Learn to face defenders, control the confrontation, and create attacking options.
Face Up/Dangerous
Belly Button
Being Dangerous 2
Facing Review
Block 3: Winning and Keeping the Ball
Weeks 9–12
Win position, protect the ball, and release it into useful space.
Maldini Step
Shielding
Turning
Ball Protection Review
Additional blocks will unlock soon!
Block 4: Ball Striking Mastery
Weeks 13–16
Build ball striking technical foundation.
ProStep
Natural Run Up
Setup Touch
Ball Striking Review
Block 5: Body Position and Receiving
Weeks 17-20
Learn to keep an open body position and create space to receive
Far Foot
Drift Run / BDT
Check Run
Body Position and Receiving Review
Block 6:Â 1 v 1
Weeks 21-24
Recognize Defending Clues and take advantage.
Uncommitted Defender
Committed Defender
Side On Defendeer
1 v 1Â Review
Additional blocks will unlock soon!
Blocks 7-12
Block 7: Coming Soon
Weeks 1–4
Build speed, control, awareness, and confidence with the ball.
Ball Confidence
First Touch Base
Vision
Foundation Review
Block 8: Coming Soon
Weeks 5–8
Learn to face defenders, control the confrontation, and create attacking options.
Face Up/Dangerous
Belly Button
Being Dangerous 2
Facing Review
Block 9: Coming Soon
Weeks 9–12
Win position, protect the ball, and release it into useful space.
Maldini Step
Shielding
Turning
Ball Protection Review
Additional blocks will unlock soon!
Block 10: Coming Soon
Weeks 13–16
Build ball striking technical foundation.
ProStep
Natural Run Up
Setup Touch
Ball Striking Review
Block 11: Coming Soon
Weeks 17-20
Learn to keep an open body position and create space to receive
Far Foot
Drift Run / BDT
Check Run
Body Position and Receiving Review
Block 12: Coming Soon
Weeks 21-24
Recognize Defending Clues and take advantage.
Uncommitted Defender
Committed Defender
Side On Defendeer
1 v 1Â Review
Additional blocks will unlock soon!
Curriculum Library & 7 Pillars
A comprehensive technical roadmap designed to master every essential skill through targeted supplemental drills and structured development.
Smithway Curriculum Library
Our centralized video library gives players 24/7 access to technical breakdowns and high-repetition technical drills. Every drill is part of a progression so that no detail is missed during home training.
Your Player Development Path
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Ball Confidence — Weeks 1–4
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Face Up / Be Dangerous— Weeks 5–8
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Winning the Ball— Weeks 9–12
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Ball Striking/ProStep — Weeks 13–16
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Body Position/Receiving — Weeks 17–20
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3 Touch Dribbling — Weeks 21–24
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Support and Rhythm — Weeks 25–28
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Passing Penetration — Weeks 29–32
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Timing and Deception — Weeks 33–36
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Emergency Solutions — Weeks 37–40
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Full Game Autonomy — Weeks 41–44
Review Weeks
Every fourth week is a review and game-application week.
Players revisit the first three concepts, use them under pressure, and look for them in live play.
If a concept still feels difficult, repeat that week before moving forward.