The holiday season is a welcome break for families and young players alike. School schedules slow down, travel plans increase, and daily routines naturally change. For footballers, this often means fewer structured training sessions and more free time. While this break is important, it can also be a valuable opportunity to reinforce good habits and maintain progress in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
At British Football School, we believe that the holidays should be a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy football without pressure - while staying consistent with key development principles.
Football Development Never Stops — It Simply Changes Pace
Football development is a long-term process built on repetition, confidence, and consistency. When players stop all football-related activity for extended periods, they may lose sharpness, coordination, and confidence. Returning to training then feels harder than it needs to be.
Consistency during the holidays does not mean intense sessions or strict schedules. Instead, it means keeping football present in small, manageable ways that fit naturally into family life and travel plans.
The Importance of Rest and Mental Recovery
Rest is just as important as training, especially for young players. The holidays provide a chance to recover physically and mentally from the demands of school, training, and competition.
At BFS, we encourage players to:
- Prioritise quality sleep and nutrition
- Take a mental break from results, pressure, and comparisons
- Enjoy football as play, not performance
A relaxed player returns more motivated, focused, and open to learning.
Staying Consistent Without Pressure
One of our core principles at BFS is that football should remain enjoyable. During the holidays, training should feel light, flexible, and fun. Short sessions of 15–30 minutes are often more effective than long, intense workouts.
Simple activities such as ball mastery, coordination exercises, and unstructured play help players maintain their connection to the game while building confidence and creativity.
Practical Holiday Training Plan (Sample Week)
Below is a sample holiday training plan designed for young players. It can be adapted based on age, ability, and family schedule. The goal is not perfection, but consistency.
Monday – Ball Mastery (15–20 minutes)
- Dribbling with both feet
- Toe touches, sole rolls, inside–outside touches
- Light juggling challenge
Tuesday – Active Recovery / Movement
- Light stretching and mobility
- Balance exercises
- Optional walk, swim, or bike ride
Wednesday – Game Day Fun (20–30 minutes)
- Small kick-about with friends or family
- 1v1 challenges
- Creative play without instructions
Thursday – Technical Focus (15–25 minutes)
- Passing against a wall
- First touch and control
- Simple shooting technique (if space allows)
Friday – Rest Day
- No structured football activity
- Mental break from training
Saturday – Football Inspiration
- Watch a professional match or highlights
- Discuss movement, positioning, teamwork
- Encourage questions and observations
Sunday – Light Play or Optional Session
- Free choice: juggling, dribbling, or casual play
- Keep it short and enjoyable
This plan is a guide - not a rulebook. Families should adapt it to travel, weather, and individual energy levels.
Returning Stronger and More Confident
Players who remain lightly active during the holidays often return to training with better confidence, sharper touch, and a positive mindset. They adjust quicker, reduce injury risk, and enjoy sessions more.
More importantly, they begin to understand that football development is not limited to scheduled sessions - it is shaped by habits, responsibility, and love for the game.
A Message from British Football School
The holidays are a time to relax, make memories, and enjoy family life. At British Football School, we encourage our players to fully embrace this time while keeping football present in a positive and pressure-free way.
By balancing rest with consistency, players return refreshed, motivated, and ready to continue their development journey.
We look forward to welcoming our BFS players back after the holidays - happy, confident, and prepared to grow.
We wish you all a happy and beautiful holiday season!
