What does it take to become a professional footballer?
A subtle combination of luck, opportunity, football ability and intelligence, along with attitude and character, will give you a fighting chance of getting recruited into a football academy, staying there, and progressing in the game.
If you’re a young player currently in an academy, this book will help you make the most of it. If you’re playing the game at grassroots level and want to get into an academy, this book will advise you on what you need to do to get there.
Whoever you are, one thing is true: you’ve got a chance at fulfilling your potential and achieving your football dreams.
But it all depends on what you want and how hard you’re willing to work.
Are you ready for your long audition?
“...a must read for any young footballer looking to make it in the game. The book will support players to develop not only on the football pitch, but off it too. The mix of advice and opportunities to reflect allows players to think about how to get the best out of themselves. Informative, thought-provoking and a wonderful chance to hear from one of England’s leading player and coach developers!”
Hope Powell, Technical Director, Birmingham City Women and Former England Manager
In this fantastic new book, written specifically for youth players John explores what it takes by looking at The Mind, The Body and The Game.
In each section of the book, players are guided through the demands of elite academies. What are the traits and characteristics of the players they are looking for? How can a player stand out in the crowd? What does life in a Premier League academy look like?
Throughout the book the reader finds space to “Check In” and answer a series of questions about themselves with space provided in the book for them to write their response. For example:
- How much are you willing to learn to help yourself improve?
- How do you behave in team environments? Do you show up for your coaches, friends and team mates?
- When under pressure, do you panic or stay focused on the job in hand?
These question – and their answers – shine a light on what’s important in elite soccer and give players a chance to reflect. With space provided to complete answers, players can return to the questions over time or share their answers with coaches or care givers.
As well as reflecting on themselves, readers are introduced to our team of young players, themselves working to get into and progress in a professional academy.
Prior to launch The Long Audition has been road-tested and used by academy players at:
- Tottenham Hotspur (girls and boys)
- Manchester United (girls and boys)
- Arsenal (girls and boys)
- Colchester United (boys)
- Charlton Athletic (boys)
- West Ham United (boys)
It has been reviewed and fed back on by some great names in coaching and player development including…
Inside the book
The Long Audition is divided into 3 sections, each focusing on an important part of your development and progress within the professional game.
1. Your mind
Looking at the player as a human. Covering the kind of person academies are looking for and the mindset needed to succeed in an academy environment. Including:
- Fixed mindset and growth mindset
- Your mindset
- What sort of players do academies want?
- Attitude
- Character
- Traits for success
- Be a good person
- Be a good learner
- Practice makes permanent
- The power of personality
- Your public face, your game face, your private face
- The team around you
- A message for your parents or carers
- Looking after your wellbeing
- What if an academy isn’t for you?
- Finding and developing your football identity
2. Your body
Looking at the physical elements required to succeed in the game. Covering how to get to know your body and how to take care of it. Including:
- The modern footballer
- Adolescence
- A healthy lifestyle
- Building a body for football
- Resistance work
- Getting to know your body
- Recovery work
- Warm-up and cool down
- Injury prevention
- Dealing with injuries
- Pre-season training
- Fitness testing
- The importance of other sports
3. Your game
Looking at the game of football itself. Covering the phases of play, the principles of the game, and the key skills. Including:
- Developing as a footballer
- Building knowledge and knowhow
- Phases of play
- Principles of play
- Transition
- The importance of offside
- Key skills
- Positions
- Goalkeeping
- Learning from your coaches
- Planning and reflection
Visit our Amazon page to take a look inside!
Whether you are a player, coach or parent this book offers wisdom and practical examples to help support the development and dreams of young players. It is filled with handy reflections, tasks and information which is written in a friendly way to encourage and allow the information to be applicable which is the key. A great read and I have no doubt will be a valuable tool for any aspiring young footballer, their coach, or parent.
Sally Needham, Academy Human Development and Performance Culture Lead, Sheffield Utd Academy, and human performance consultant
About the author
John Allpress is uniquely qualified to having forged a career in player development at the highest levels.
In 12 years as national young player development coach John coached and mentored some of the biggest names currently in Premier League and International environments. In particular, John coached the England U16 and U17 team, working with players that went on to be first team regulars.
On leaving the FA in 2013, John joined the Tottenham Hotspur FC Academy in the Premier League where he worked in player and coach development until his retirement in March 2022.
Nowadays, he runs his own player and coach development consultancy, mentors for the Premier League and still presents on the FA Advanced Youth Award.
He writes articles for various football magazines and has presented at conferences in Norway and Sweden. Alongside this, he’s still finding time to go on holiday, take care of his garden and walk his dog.
John holds the UEFA A Licence and the FA Advanced Youth Award.
John has worked with players and coaches throughout the football pyramid from school children and school teachers, to players and coaches at international level. His knowledge and understanding of how to develop people is second to none.
Chris Ramsey, MBE (Technical Director / Head of Coaching - QPR FC)
Are you a coach? Why buy The Long Audition for your players?
Players (and parents) are always keen to know what they need to do to have the best chance of success. What’s the difference between surviving and thriving in youth football and how do they rise above the masses to get that elusive career in the game?
It probably feels like you spend more time dealing with these sorts of questions than you do delivering sessions on the pitch!
That’s where The Long Audition comes in. By providing a copy to the players in your care you give them a firm understanding of what’s expected of them to reach Premier League standards. How do they treat themselves and others.
...full of brilliant ideas and practical tasks that you can use to develop your skills as a player and unlock your potential.
I’ll be using the ideas from this book with my players, especially speaking to them about the traits that top players have that bring them success, what it means to be a ’good learner’ and the technical skills required to take their game to the next level.
Whether you’re a grassroots player or currently playing in an academy I couldn’t recommend it enough and encourage all young players to have a read!
Dom Edwards - Arsenal U16 Women Head Coach
Order your copy today!
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