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  • Writer's pictureJames Donnelly

Player Case Study: Jude's Journey to Improved Strength, Agility, and Confidence


Player Overview:


  • Age: 11

  • Location: Australia

  • Current Level: Playing in the top/elite division for his age group (U12)

  • Position: Right Back (RB), Center Back (CB)

  • Ultimate Career Dream: To play in the Premier League and represent Australia in the World Cup


Initial Goals: Jude joined the Matchfit programme with the aim of becoming stronger, faster, and more agile. His initial short-term goals were to improve these physical attributes to enhance his performance on the field, with a specific focus on gaining the confidence to perform at his best.


Over the next six months, Jude wanted to become more agile, stronger, and healthier to reduce the risk of injuries. His long-term goal was to trial for the state team and, ultimately, to play at the highest level.


Initial Situation: Before joining the programme, Jude had been struggling with speed, strength, agility, and confidence for about a year. These challenges were particularly impacting his ability to maintain composure and strive during matches. Jude was playing in an emerging player squad but felt that he needed to self-develop further to stand out and trial for the state team. Despite having no previous experience with strength or resistance training, Jude was eager to start and explore all aspects of physical conditioning, nutrition, and mental resilience.


Reasons for Joining Matchfit: Jude’s family chose the Matchfit programme because of its tailored approach to football-specific training, particularly because there were no local, face-to-face options that provided this level of specialised coaching. They were also drawn to the programme’s reputation and the opportunity for Jude to track his progress and work closely with coaches.


Improvements Observed: Over the first 90 days of the programme, Jude made significant progress across multiple areas:


  • Strength: Jude's max press-ups increased by an incredible 600%, showing substantial gains in his upper body strength. His wall sit time also improved by 12.5%, reflecting better muscular endurance.


  • Speed and Agility: His 10m sprint time improved by 28.28%, and his T Test score improved by 14.55%, indicating significant gains in both speed and agility. Additionally, his 30m flying sprint time improved by 15.22%, showcasing a solid boost in his acceleration and straight-line speed.


  • Overall Performance: Jude's broad jump improved by 9.56%, indicating enhanced lower body power. His 505 agility test times improved by 7.87% on the left side and 12.46% on the right side, reflecting better balance and directional change ability.



Performance Changes: These physical improvements translated into better performances in Jude’s matches. He became more confident on the field, using his increased strength and agility to compete more effectively against opponents.


His enhanced speed allowed him to cover more ground and make a greater impact in his positions as a right back and center back. Jude's overall game improved, which was noticed by his coaches, teammates, and even himself.


Confidence and Mentality: One of the most important areas of improvement for Jude was his confidence. Initially, his lack of confidence was holding him back, but as he started seeing the results of his hard work, he began to gain belief in his abilities. This newfound confidence helped him perform better in matches, allowing him to focus on his game rather than worrying about making mistakes.


Programme Flexibility: The personalised approach of the Matchfit programme was particularly beneficial for Jude. He appreciated learning about strength and conditioning, which not only improved his physical fitness but also taught him the importance of maintaining his health and reducing injury risks. The programme’s structure made it easy for Jude to follow and stay motivated, knowing that each session was designed to help him reach his goals.


Player’s Perspective: Jude especially valued the feeling of getting stronger, which boosted his confidence both on and off the field. He found the programme’s exercises to be challenging yet achievable, which helped him stay engaged and committed to his training.


Hypothetical Scenario Without Matchfit: Without the Matchfit programme, Jude likely would have continued struggling with the same issues, particularly his confidence. His physical development in areas like strength, speed, and agility would have been slower, potentially leaving him behind his peers and limiting his opportunities to trial for higher levels, such as the state team.


Conclusion: Jude's journey through the Matchfit programme so far has been transformative, especially considering the progress made within just 90 days. His significant improvements in strength, agility, and speed—evidenced by impressive percentage gains in key fitness metrics—are a testament to his hard work and remaining consistent with the programme.


As Jude continues with his training, the foundations he has built will serve him well as he strives to reach his goal of playing for the state team. The progress he has made so far is just the beginning, and the potential for further development over the next few months is promising.


If you'd like more details about the programme which Jude has been following, click the image below:




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