Purpose: to consider theoretical issues of physical preparation of football players at the stage of preliminary basic training. Material and methods: in order to get acquainted with the state of the issue under study, an analysis and generalization of scientific, scientific and methodological literature, theoretical provisions on the physical preparation of football players at the stage of preliminary basic training was carried out. Analyzing scientific sources, the questions on the results of the study were considered: the use of means and methods of various orientations in the training of young athletes. The objectives and didactic purpose of the preliminary basic training phase were described. The place of physical training of young football players in achieving a sports result has been determined. Results: it was found that the selective increase in training loads at all stages of sports training of children and adolescents is determined by the laws of the development of physical abilities. A high level and growth of development at a young age is assessed as a sensitive period and is fundamental for increasing the means of influence on a specific physical quality. Some researchers believe that the best sensitive period for the development of strength in young football players is the age of 13-15 years, others - 14-16 years. Conclusions: analyzing scientific sources, the following issues were considered based on the research results: the use of means and methods of various orientations in the training of young athletes. In organizing the training process of football players, it is necessary to take into account the high intensity of metabolic processes and the age characteristics of a growing child's body. The relatively low functional development of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems with boys aged 13–14 significantly limits the ability to perform long-term intense loads. As a result of studying the literature, it was found that, in accordance with the playing role, all-round physical training (with an emphasis on speed and speed-strength qualities) of young footballers aged 13-14 is an actual scientific research.