Every pro club talks about individual development, but very few actually do it right.
Here’s the typical cycle:
Preseason starts. Every player gets an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
The assistant coach is put in charge of executing it.
As the season progresses, team priorities take over, and IDPs get pushed to the side.
Players get 5-10 minutes of “extras” after training, and clubs call it “individual development.”
That’s not development. That’s checking a box.
This is exactly why clubs struggle to maximize individual talent, and why the results I’ve had with players who fully commit to a structured IDP process have been game-changing.
THE REALITY OF PRO CLUB TRAINING
Let’s be honest, team training is designed for the team, not the individual.
Tactical shape.
Collective pressing triggers.
Set pieces.
Match preparation.
Everything is built around team cohesion and game preparation. And it should be. But if you’re relying solely on team sessions to develop individuals, you’re leaving massive gaps in player growth.
Pro teams play 50+ games a season. Between fixture congestion, travel, and recovery days, actual training time is minimal. The reality is:
Starters focus on maintaining their level, not improving.
Subs get scraps of playing time and limited meaningful training.
Young players struggle for real development opportunities.
So what happens? Players plateau.
The best teams don’t let this happen.
THE MISSING PIECE: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
Individual training isn’t just technical and tactical, it’s mental.
Here’s what happens when IDPs are executed properly:
Reps breed confidence. A player who gets consistent, targeted training in weak areas isn’t second-guessing themselves in games, they’re executing.
Fixing mistakes builds self-belief. When players see measurable progress, they stop doubting themselves and start owning their performances.
The coach-player relationship adds an extra 10%.
That last point is massive. The psychological impact of an individual development coach is underrated in most pro setups.
Players perform better when they feel seen, understood, and supported.
A strong individual development relationship creates trust, accountability, and a willingness to push harder.
Statistically, players who feel fully invested in their development push themselves at least 10% harder than those who don’t.
This is the difference between a good pro and an elite one. The extra 10% is what separates the top 1% of players from the rest.
I’ve seen players go from inconsistent, second-guessing their decisions to dominant, fearless, and fully in control just by committing to a structured psychologically reinforced IDP.
If your club isn’t factoring in the mental aspect of individual development, you’re leaving unrealized potential on the table.
THE RIGHT WAY TO DO INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
Real individual development doesn’t happen in random “extras” after training, it happens with a structured plan, executed with precision.
1. IDPs Need a Dedicated Specialist, Not an Overloaded Assistant Coach
Most clubs hand IDPs to an assistant coach who already has 10 other responsibilities. It’s no surprise they get sidelined.
A world-class individual development coach integrates:
Analytics: Data driven, evidence based insights to track performance and target weaknesses.
Psychology: Mental training to develop confidence and execution under pressure.
Technical Development: Precision training that refines skills, movement, and decision-making.
This isn’t just extra training, it’s a highly specialized process that demands expertise.
2. IDPs Must Be Game-Specific, Not Generic
A proper Individual Development Plan is not just:
“Do more finishing” for a striker.
“Work on passing” for a midfielder.
“Improve 1v1 defending” for a center-back.
It needs to be built around:
Game footage analysis: What moments in matches need improvement?
Position-specific scenarios: Training has to replicate real in-game situations.
Data-backed progression tracking: Measuring development beyond “it feels like they’re getting better.”
3. IDPs Should Be Integrated Into the Training Week
Extras aren’t enough.
Day after match? Non-starters get full, position-specific training.
Pre-training activation? Players get 15-20 minutes of focused individual work.
Tactical team session? Players break out into smaller groups for position-specific execution.
IDPs should run parallel to team training, not as an afterthought.
THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when players commit to a structured IDP format instead of half-hearted “extras.”
The difference?
Players don’t just improve, they evolve.
They step into big moments with confidence because they’ve trained for them.
Clubs retain and develop their best talent instead of watching it stagnate.
WHY CLUBS NEED TO GET THIS RIGHT
The best teams don’t just recruit talent. They develop it.
If you’re a manager, director, or head of development, ask yourself:
Are we actually developing our players, or just hoping team sessions are enough?
Are our IDPs intentional and structured, or just a checklist item?
Do we have a dedicated individual development specialist, or is this just another task thrown at an already busy staff member?
If your IDPs aren’t producing real, measurable improvement, you’re leaving player potential untapped.
READY TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY?
I’ve worked with some of the best players in the world, World Cup winners, Champions League winners, Euros winners, top pros in the Premier League, NWSL, MLS, and Europe.
I know what works.
If you’re serious about real individual development in a team environment, let’s talk.