On the flip side though when players get to 13/14 then the fitness side of it can teach good habits and instill a healthy work ethic (in a football NOT job sense) as much as actually gain fitness which at those ages comes naturally anyway.

I certainly would say though that before the ages of 12/13 then apart from warm up techniques which again instill good habits then fitness work really is irrelavent especially nonsense like push ups (why is a coach getting 9 year olds to do that?????????????)

I will say though certain drills without a ball which could be interpreted as fitness do improve technique and coordination (eg speed ladders and small hurdles etc)