Premier League academy players do not all train the same number of hours each week. The minimum depends on academy category and development phase, with Category 1 running from four hours in the foundation phase up to 14 in the professional development phase, and the coaching year set at 40 or 46 weeks.
Weekly minimum coaching hours
Here are the weekly minimum coaching hours for each academy category and development phase.
| Academy category | Foundation phase | Youth development phase | Professional development phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Four, rising to eight for older players | Eight, rising to 12 for older players | 14, reducing to 12 for players with professional squad commitments |
| Category 2 | Four, rising to six for older players | Seven, rising to 12 for older players | 14, reducing to 12 for players with professional squad commitments |
| Category 3 | Four | Five, rising to seven for older players | 12 |
| Category 4 | Not applicable | Not applicable | 14, reducing to 12 for players with professional squad commitments |
These figures are minimums for each registered academy player. They are set by category and phase rather than as one flat number across the whole system.
Why the coaching year is 40 weeks or 46 weeks
The length of the coaching year also changes by category and age band. Coaching for the Under 15 age group and older at Category 1 and 2 academies takes place over 46 weeks of each year.
All other academy coaching takes place over 40 weeks of each year. The 46-week structure is tied to the games programme schedule and includes the two periods when no foundation phase or youth development phase matches are played.
Training models allowed in each category and phase
The permitted training model changes with both the academy category and the development phase. A Category 1 academy may use part time in the foundation phase; part time, hybrid or full time in the youth development phase; and full time or hybrid in the professional development phase. A Category 2 academy may use part time in the foundation phase, part time or hybrid in the youth development phase, and full time in the professional development phase. A Category 3 academy may use part time in the foundation phase, part time in the youth development phase, and full time in the professional development phase. A Category 4 academy operates only in the professional development phase, where the model is full time.
How those minimums are applied
The hours and models above apply unless the professional game board permits otherwise. Every minimum is subject to the player's fitness, welfare and academic status. The fitness qualifier goes beyond injury recovery: it also covers cases where the coaching staff or the medical and sports science staff consider that a player's hours should be reduced so he gets enough rest and recovery, or to avoid overuse injuries.
An academy may change the weekly pattern as it sees fit as long as the stated hours are achieved on average over each six or 12 week multi-disciplinary review period. If an academy falls short of the stated hours, it has to show that its players are still being properly provided for.
In the table above, coaching means on-the-pitch coaching and coaching in matches. Additional off-pitch time is expected for technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development.
FAQ
How many weeks a year do academy players train?
There are two coaching-year lengths. Under 15 and older players at Category 1 and 2 academies are on a 46-week year, while all other academy coaching runs over 40 weeks.
The 46-week structure is linked to the games programme schedule and still includes two periods with no foundation phase or youth development phase matches.
What is a full time training model in a Premier League academy?
The rules identify where a full time model is allowed, but they do not set out a separate daily-hour definition here. What is clear is that full time is one of the permitted models in certain categories and phases, and the weekly minimums still apply.
It appears in the professional development phase across the relevant categories, and in the youth development phase at Category 1.
Can an academy change a player's training hours?
Yes, the weekly schedule can be varied. The condition is that the required hours must be met on average across each six or 12 week multi-disciplinary review period.
Fitness, welfare and academic status also matter. That includes cutting hours for rest and recovery or to avoid overuse injuries, not only when a player is coming back from injury.
How many hours a day do Premier League academy players train?
There is no single daily minimum in this set of rules. The requirement is framed as weekly coaching hours, with the total shaped by category, phase and training model.
That means a fixed day-by-day number cannot be given across all academy players.