The Impact Starts Here
The methodology is built on 16+ years of evidence at FAI Regional Centre, LOI academy, and pro level. Our first cohort (Block 1) ran March–April 2026; aggregated results are being prepared for publication.
Let's Be Honest
Block 1 has now run. 32 players in Ennis, March 2 – April 20, 2026. Aggregated FQ improvement data, parent feedback, and coach observations are being compiled and will be published on this page.
What we already have is 16+ years of evidence that this approach works.
What We Already Know Works
From years at FAI Regional Centre, LOI academies, and elite youth development
FAI Centre Experience
Declan's coached hundreds of players through the FAI Regional Centre. The ones who progressed to LOI and international level? Rarely the most talented. Usually the most resilient, confident, and coachable.
Coaching at Rep/LOI Level
Anton's trained players from grassroots to professional. Same pattern: the players who make it aren't just skilled—they handle pressure, learn fast, and bounce back from mistakes.
Daily Practice Model
Sport science research is clear: consistent daily practice (even 15 minutes) beats weekly 2-hour sessions. Our 6 days app-guided + 1 day coached model is based on how humans actually develop skills.
How We Measure Impact
Four data streams across every block. Here’s what we capture and why.
FQ Assessments
Week 1 Baseline: Every player assessed across physical capacity, technical quality, and game confidence.
Week 8 Final: Same assessment. We'll show exact improvement in each area.
Unlike subjective "they're doing great" feedback, FQ gives you numbers. Did first touch improve? By how much? Is decision-making faster? Measurably so.
What Parents Notice
Based on similar programmes, here's what parents typically report after 8 weeks:
- • More confidence trying skills in matches
- • Better at handling mistakes/setbacks
- • Actively practicing at home (without being asked)
- • Improved weak foot ability
- • Better decision-making under pressure
We'll survey parents at Week 4 and Week 8 to track what you're seeing at home and in matches.
Coach Tracking
Every session, we log:
- • Session focus and what we worked on
- • Individual player observations
- • Behavioral patterns (coachability, resilience, effort)
- • Technical improvements noted
Your Week 8 report will include specific examples of growth we've observed, not generic feedback.
Practice Consistency
The app tracks daily practice:
- • Days practiced per week
- • Which drills completed
- • Session duration
- • Consistency over 8 weeks
Research shows: players who practice 5+ days/week improve 3x faster than those who only show up to coached sessions.
Help Us Extend the Evidence
Block 1 was our founding cohort. 32 players proved the format works as a delivery model. The next blocks extend the evidence base — longer time series, more players, more nuance about which interventions move which FQ dimensions.
Every Forge block we run produces a fresh batch of FQ data, parent feedback, coach observations, and practice-consistency metrics. The longitudinal record grows each block.
The methodology has 16+ years behind it. The measurement layer is the new part.
Joining a Forge block means your child gets individual measurement and tracked development — and their data contributes to the longitudinal evidence base for behavioural training in Irish youth football.
What every block produces:
- • Each player’s individual FQ growth report (baseline vs final)
- • Cohort-wide average improvements
- • Specific areas where each player improved most
- • Coach observations and behavioural development notes
- • Practice consistency data (days trained, drills completed)
Block 1 results — pending publication
Block 1 wrapped on April 20, 2026. We’re compiling results from our first 32 players in Ennis:
Baseline vs final growth data
Survey responses from Week 4 and Week 8
Per-player behavioural observations
We’ll publish aggregated results (cohort averages, typical improvements) and individual success stories (with permission). Results page coming to this URL.
Join the next Forge block
Each Forge block adds to the longitudinal evidence base. Current dates and open programmes on the registration page.
⚡ SEE OPEN PROGRAMMESWhy We're Confident It Works
PlayerBuilder is built on proven principles from sport science, behavioral psychology, and elite player development
1. Deliberate Practice Research
Anders Ericsson's research (the "10,000 hour rule" guy) showed that quality of practice matters more than quantity. PlayerBuilder's app guides players through focused, progressive challenges—not just "kick the ball around."
2. Habit Formation (James Clear, Atomic Habits)
Small improvements daily beat occasional big efforts. Our 6+1 model (6 days self-practice, 1 day coached) builds the habit of daily improvement rather than dependence on a coach showing up.
3. Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck)
Players who believe effort creates ability improve faster than those who think talent is fixed. Every PlayerBuilder session reinforces: "You're not good yet. Practice makes you better."
4. Weak Foot & Ball Mastery
Research from Barcelona's La Masia academy: players who develop both feet early have 40% better chance of progressing to elite level. We dedicate structured time to weak foot every session.
What Block 1 Tested
Hypothesis 1: Players who practise 5+ days/week show measurably greater FQ improvement than those who only attend coached sessions.
Hypothesis 2: Game confidence scores improve as much as technical skills (the behavioural-coaching claim).
Hypothesis 3: Weak-foot ability can improve significantly in 8 weeks with daily focused practice.
Hypothesis 4: Parents report visible changes in how players handle mistakes and setbacks.
Results from Block 1 (March–April 2026) will be published on this page.
Whatever the data shows — we publish. Where it confirms the hypothesis, that’s evidence to extend the framework. Where it doesn’t, that’s direction for the next block.
Join the next Forge block
Every Forge block is small by design — 16:1 ratio, individual measurement, individual feedback. Current dates and open programmes on the registration page.