Wolves Academy players are benefiting from some new equipment designed to help hone their ball skills.

The Academy have taken delivery of several "rebound boxes" which help the young players develop their control and footwork.

The players kick the ball against the boards with alternate foot but because they have an upward slope and ridged surface, it bounces back at different angles.

There's also a competitive element involved, with tests to see who can rebound the ball off the boards most in a minute.

Academy manager Kevin Thelwell said: "It's not only a good tool for improving their technique in their left and right feet, but by timing them as well, it's good competition and we can use that as a technique test to see how they're improving.

"Everyone says foreign players have better technique, but this is one way of improving that side of their game and it's fun too."

The boards are also to form part of the assessment package for the club's nine to 11 year-olds, which also contain 'football homework'.

"Kids won't get everything they need from an Academy programme because we don't get enough hours with them," adds Kevin.

"So we set them additional technical homework such as different types of 'keep-ups' and hitting the ball against a wall with their left foot and right foot to start getting them to play with both feet.

"We also have a 'turn of the month' where the lads are challenged to put their homework on show and show us what they can do."

PICTURED: Sam Winnall tests out the rebound boxes.