A Football guide for young players: How to train like professional players

TACTICAL QUALITIES

TEAM JOB

Know your job in the team shape…and do it. Know the other roles in case you have to “sit-in” or play there in an emergency. Know the systems of play and what qualities are needed in them. Watch Phil Neville, Carragher etc.

RUNNING OFF THE BALL

Learn the skill of running “off the ball”. When you don’t have the ball, don’t just stand still. Take defenders into bad areas and “create holes” for other players to run into. Many great goals have been created by unselfish running. Watch Suarez, Tevez etc.

MARKING

Know when to mark man for man (i.e. in your penalty box) or zone i.e. in a flat back 4. (Dixon/Adams/Keown/Winterburn). Know where to mark “touch tight” and where to give yourself room. Try to mark not so tight that forwards can “roll you” or too far so they can turn and run at you. There is no perfect distance; it depends on what part of the pitch you are in and the type of opponent. Learn to track players in Mid field. It’s easy to run forward, great midfielders can also “track back” and not lose their man. i.e. Gerrard, Lampard, Toure etc.

SUPPORTING

As soon as you have passed a ball, look to get into a position where you can receive it again. Don’t get too close as you’ll “squeeze your own space” get yourself in a position where if you receive the ball you can pass it forward as soon as possible. ie Scholes, Lucas, Mata etc

VISION

Vision or “seeing things early” is the sign of a great player. Usually comes from playing thousands of games in streets/training. Great players play “with their heads up” and even they haven’t got the ball, they are looking for their next pass. Watch Mata, Iniesta, Hazard. Try to watch them when they haven’t got the ball, they are always “scanning” the pitch.

COMMUNICATION

QUALITY communication is essential in football. Avoid clichés and abuse to team mates – neither get you anywhere. Give quality instructions i.e. man on…go right 5 metres. Encouragement is a great motivator especially when it gets “tough” in a match. Watch Terry, Carragher etc.

PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME

Attack: Penetration/Depth/Mobility/Width

Defence: Delay/Cover/Balance/Concentration

Try to understand what they mean and when and how to apply them.

MENTAL QUALITIES

DISCIPLINE

Self-discipline is essential in football. You can’t afford to get sent off for stupid offences i.e. dissent. Stupid yellow cards which result in a suspension can cost you money, your place in the team and points for the team. Controlled aggression is a great quality. Watch Toure, Alonso etc.

DIET

If you’ve got a Mercedes, you don’t put cheap fuel in it. You are a professional athlete, put the best fuel in your body. If you are not sure, ask. The days of overweight players have gone. Footballers are athletes – Ibrahimovic, Beckham etc.

LIFESTYLE

Footballers are human, they are not angels. But the reality is that you may have the opportunity to make enough money to retire at 35! Why waste that opportunity? Do you need to drink? Every time you think you want a drink – Is it going to make me a better player? Also, the reality is that you are in a profession that is perceived to be great lifestyle. You will get idiots trying to provoke you through jealousy. Avoid the places where the idiots are. It is reported that the Nevilles were laughed at for their work ethic. Have you seen their bank account?

ENTHUSIASM

There is no crime in being enthusiastic about training, and enthusiasm is infectious. Anybody can be cynical, but one day you will miss training (think what it’s like when you are injured). Treat every session with enthusiasm. To have reached this level you must have loved the game. Don’t lose the love of the game. Watch Carragher, Rooney etc.

HIGH STANDARDS

Set high personal standards in everything you do. Be strong enough to resist pressure from weaker mates. YOU want to “make it”, there are times when you have to be selfish. Have good habits in practice. Watch Beckham.

HARD WORK!

Listen and/or talk to the top Pros. They will tell you there is no substitute for hard work. The odd freak may make it on natural ability – are you prepared to risk it? Hard work is a skill and is well valued by people who pick teams and team mates.

Read this document and then feel free to discuss any part of your game with your Coaches. Don’t be shy to ask questions and everything will be in confidence and aimed towards making you a better player.