How to Navigate The Overlapping Age Groups

Module: The Curriculum Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

TLDR

The age bands across the five Mastery Stages aren’t rigid. There’s overlap, and that’s by design. Development doesn’t happen in straight lines. Some players develop early, others take more time. That’s why this course isn’t designed around birth years, it’s designed around developmental readiness.

Players don’t stop mastering the ball because they’ve turned 11, and they won’t become game experts just because they’ve turned 13. Each overlapping age range serves a specific purpose. The Foundation Stage represents what players should be comfortable with before moving forward. The Challenge Stage represents the new learning they’re ready to tackle whilst maintaining their foundation skills.

For players in overlap zones, I use both stages strategically. Ages 7-11 might be 60% ball mastery and 40% simple 1v1 concepts. Ages 11-15 could be 60% individual decision-making and 40% team concepts. Rather than asking “How old is this player?” I ask “What foundation do they have, and what challenge are they ready for?”

For players training twice weekly in overlap zones, session 1 focuses on their foundation stage, session 2 on their challenge stage. The overlap exists so you can coach the player, not the age. Use your professional judgement. If players are struggling with foundation skills, spend more time there. If they’ve mastered their foundation, increase the challenge. The model serves the player, not the other way around. This flexibility is what makes long-term development possible.

Understanding the Overlap

As you work through this course, you’ll notice that the age bands across the five Mastery Stages aren’t rigid. There’s overlap, and that’s by design.

You might ask: “If one section goes up to age 11, and the next starts at 7… which one should I use?”

That’s a good question. The answer lies in how you understand development.

Development Doesn’t Happen in Straight Lines

Some players develop early. Others take more time.

Some pick up concepts quickly but need longer to refine their technique. Others look sharp technically but struggle with game understanding under pressure.

That’s why this course isn’t designed around birth years, it’s designed around developmental readiness.

Players don’t stop mastering the ball because they’ve turned 11.

And they won’t become game experts just because they’ve turned 13.

Think in Terms of Foundation and Challenge

Each overlapping age range serves a specific purpose:

The Foundation Stage represents what players should be comfortable with before moving forward. This is their base level of competence.

The Challenge Stage represents the new learning they’re ready to tackle whilst maintaining their foundation skills.

Example: A 10-year-old

• Foundation: They should be mastering ball skills (Master The Ball focus)
• Challenge: They can begin learning opponent-focused concepts (Master The Opponent introduction)

This doesn’t mean abandoning ball work when they turn 10. It means layering opponent-focused challenges on top of their established ball mastery.

The Practical Application

For players in the overlap zones, use both stages strategically:

Ages 7-11 (Master The Ball + Master The Opponent Overlap)

• 60% of training time: Continue reinforcing ball mastery, rhythm, and technical confidence
• 40% of training time: Introduce simple 1v1 concepts, basic decision-making, light pressure

Ages 11-15 (Master The Opponent + Master The Game Overlap)

• 60% of training time: Focus on 1v1 skills, small group play, individual decision-making
• 40% of training time: Begin introducing team concepts, positional awareness, tactical understanding

Ages 15-18 (Master The Game + Master The Position Overlap)

• 60% of training time: Develop tactical understanding, team play, game intelligence
• 40% of training time: Begin position-specific work, role clarity, tactical responsibility

Use Development, Not Just Age

Rather than asking: “How old is this player?”

Ask: “What foundation do they have, and what challenge are they ready for?”

Examples:

• A technically confident 8-year-old who loves 1v1s → Increase their Master The Opponent percentage
• A 12-year-old who still struggles with basic ball skills → Maintain higher Master The Ball percentage
• A 16-year-old who dominates 1v1s but doesn’t understand positioning → Focus more on Master The Game concepts

Weekly Planning for Overlap Ages

For players in overlap zones training twice weekly:

• Session 1: Focus on their foundation stage (reinforcing established skills)
• Session 2: Focus on their challenge stage (introducing new concepts)

This ensures continuous development in both areas without overwhelming players or abandoning previously learned skills.

The Flexibility Principle

The overlap exists so you can coach the player, not the age. You’re not locked into rigid categories. You’re using the right developmental focus for the right moment.

Some weeks, your 11-year-olds might need more ball mastery work. Other weeks, they might be ready for tactical challenges. The model adapts to player readiness, not calendar dates.

Your Role as Coach

Use your professional judgement. Observe your players. Understand where they are, not just how old they are.

• If players are struggling with foundation skills, spend more time there
• If players have mastered their foundation, increase the challenge
• If players seem overwhelmed, step back to previous stage concepts
• If players seem bored, introduce next stage elements

The model serves the player, not the other way around.

This flexibility is what makes long-term development possible. Players progress when they’re ready, not when the calendar says they should.

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model