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

I often hear about the football nostalgia of the ”good old days“ playing on cobbled streets like I did in Anfield as a kid, or having jumpers for goals etc. Recently, I went back in time to Manipur in North East India, where many of the facilities were worse than I had ever experienced in my youth.

However, the football people of Manipur had realized the truism that poor facilities do not make good players and had worked hard to get the best for the local players. So, almost like an oasis in the middle of the capital of Imphal, a state of the art (FIFA sponsored) artificial pitch was laid which has revolutionised the game in the state. The state had already utilised the AFC support machine and had been part of a Vision Asia project and that had been a great success in generating the volume and quality of players, coaches and referees. But the pitch now meant that these people had a top quality surface to work on and it will be utilised 24/7 as soon as lights are put up. Though electricity may be a problem as often there are power cuts in the state. This also puts the concept of moaning about facilities in perspective. It is great for coaches to demand bowling green pitches but when running water and electricity are not guaranteed for all people, then perhaps sports facilities do fall behind in the priority list.

I spent a month working with the elite Under 20s of the State on a full time basis. The concept of a Football Education program was funded by the Manipur Development Society and the Manipur FA. An original 90 triallists were cut down to 60 and then in a 3 day process, I had to reduce this to 30. As usual, the stars stood out and the less gifted also, but there is always the problem of the last few spots and often attitude was the deciding factor. This was difficult here as the attitude of all the players was top class. None of the pampered youth here, many of these kids had travelled days from mountain villages on buses that you only see in museums now!

In essence, the players were chosen on:

• Technical ability
• Tactical ability
• Physical tests (based on Everton FC tests) and as usual the best players were also the best athletes in most cases.
• Football Decision making (understanding)

In a broad sense, the goal was to help these players improve their chance of being professional footballers. Many Manipuris had progressed to the Professional I-League and quite a few to the Indian National team, hence the FA wanted to keep this going and increase the numbers and to one day be able to run their own I-league team.

The top 30 were taken into Hostel accommodation and given excellent food for this period. I was initially going to undertake a number of physical tests and compare them with results for EPL Academies and professional teams in Asia, but when I went to do the Body Fat test, I saw that my diet and nutrition lecture was going to be changed to just three words “EAT MORE FOOD”. The lads were in great physical shape, lean with good aerobic ability. Obviously based on the lifestyle in the State, especially the mountain areas.

Off the pitch, we talked about lifestyle, psychological preparation and even about ethical values of being in a team-based sport. (So often neglected). But the important work was the twice daily training sessions on the pitch. Originally, I had intended to utilise a rather basic gym program, but then found out that when the players left the camp they had no access to a gym. So they were showed what to do in a gym and why it has great value. Various programs were illustrated in case they came to use one, but the bulk of the strength development work was undertaken in a “Core Stability” program where no equipment was needed. Even in this, you have to adapt your coaching and I gave each player photographs of Thailand national team players doing this work as an example. The reason? A few spoke English, most spoke Manipuri (not Hindi) and a few spoke tribal dialects. So verbal translation was an unusual process and I relied on the excellent Assistant coaches I had to be football translators.

I had watched the players play and what I felt was that they were technically excellent, derived from many hours of playing in unorganised games, but in many ways “football naive”. For example, they were great dribblers of the ball, but often in the wrong part of the pitch, so the aim was to not lose this skill but show where it was best used. I explained to the local coaches (as part of the program was also Coach education) that as a kid I had played 60 games a season – school, Boys club and Sunday League. Playing this number of games gives you a game education and helps eliminate things such as ball watching. Also, playing with older men soon gets you out of bad habits, such as not chasing a ball you lost! These kids (men) were only playing about 10-15 games a season due to distance, facilities (pitches are not the best in a monsoon) and organisational problems.

So where to start? I tried to introduce professional football by utilising this program.

DO THE BORING THINGS WELL

DEFENDING

Close the man with the ball down

Make the player pass backwards (you can’t stop that)

Track your player, do not ball watch

Organise at set pieces, take responsibility

No stupid fouls

Keep ball out of our penalty box (90% goals scored in the box)

Block crosses

ATTACKING

Get the ball into the penalty box as soon as you can

Get as many players in the penalty box as we can

Receive the ball when you can see the opponent’s goal (side on)

Keep the ball moving, passing or dribbling

Quality delivery at all set pieces

Keep ball at throw ins, throw down line, never square

Shoot at every opportunity, “hit the target”

Watch the ball hit your foot, don’t look at the goal

Each player received a copy of this in English and Manipuri (tribal translations can’t be put on computer). Then we went through each aspect where it counted, on the pitch.

At night time, we showed DVDs of world class games and showed that even at this level, these boring things apply. The great players do all the boring things well! By the end of the month, the players were playing practice matches and were starting to have a go at each other if they did the wrong thing. The process was sinking in to the best players.

We worked every day on the pitch in various coaching practices, trying to make them as varied and as interesting as possible. Also, there were a large number of Coaches watching so we made the practices available on USB drives for them. An example being:

The Coaches were left with about 20 of these practices.

The players were taught how to play in many different formations and how sometimes in the same formation you press or retreat. These were concepts that were very new to players and teaching pressing was very difficult as it involves the whole team. Also not easy when its 40 degrees Centigrade.

One of the realities of football in Asia is that the EPL coverage on TV is killing the local game and whilst these young players all knew Gerrard, Suarez, Rooney (and of course Messi, Ronaldo and Beckham), they struggled to name Indian national team players. This is happening all over Asia and is a growing problem for Asian Leagues. Malaysia being a great example where Malaysian money is sponsoring EPL Teams and local teams are bankrupt.

To help this problem, a copy of the “Perfect Player” was given to each player to both let them see that no player is perfect and that they always could strive to be better. We asked them to try to illustrate the idea with Indian players who were similar to the big names mentioned.

THE PERFECT PLAYER (MANIPUR)

The following document has been given to all Sheffield Wednesday FC Academy players at Under 16 level and to all the first year YTS players. The reason for giving the players this document was that, as coaches, we often take for granted what we think young players know. The reality is that they often don’t know what the requirements of a young professional footballer are. The document was written in a language that tried to combine the “correct” terms and also used “football language” to attempt to get through to all of the players, who are often of a wide intellectual ability range. Examples of elite players were given so that players could watch them in action live or on video, and see the qualities that these players have. These examples could of course be changed to suit the young player, female examples such as Hamm, Sun Wen, Prinz or Martha could (and should) be used for young female players.

The feedback from this document has been excellent and players often talk about their strengths and weaknesses based on this document. There is no replacement for learning “on the pitch” but documents like this can support the work carried out in training.

The document was a group effort with input from all Academy Coaches, First Team Coaches and some of the senior professional players at the club. The senior players involved all fully supported this document being given to the young players and stated they wished they had a similar opportunity as a young player. One of the Sheffield Wednesday senior professionals (England International Andy Hinchcliffe) used this document as a base for a lecture to the YTS players.

As a Coach, it is our responsibility to give the young player every opportunity to fulfil their potential. This is by no means a definitive document and will be reviewed and adapted with input from the young players.

MANIPUR ELITE YOUTH SQUAD

THE PERFECT PLAYER

If you are aiming to be the Perfect Player, start to analyze what it takes to be that player

PHYSICAL QUALITIES

AEROBIC CAPACITY

The ability to “run all day” “good engines” measured by the bleep test. The ability to cover long distances in a game i.e. Beckham 12km per match. Gained by either long distance running or playing games at a high intensity. Watch Maldini, Cafu, Cole etc.

ANAEROBIC CAPACITY

The ability to run fast “he’s like lightning” “he gets there first” i.e. Michael Owen and Thierry Henry. Measured by sprint tests through light gates. Gained by sprint training and weight training. The ability to repeat sprints is a great asset. Watch Batistuta, Shevchenko, Raul, Drogba etc.

STRENGTH/POWER

Essential ingredient of a modern player. “He doesn’t get knocked off the ball” “he wins tackles” “he can look after himself”, measured by Gym tests. Strength is gained by weight training and plyometric work. You get to the ball first, jump higher, can protect the ball better and get injured less. Watch Gerrard, Lampard, Drogba etc.

FLEXIBILITY

Helps with the range of movement, reduces injury (less chance of “doing a hammy”). Gained by stretching and core work in the gym. Should be done before and after training for maximum effect.

TECHNICAL QUALITIES

HEADING

A difficult skill and often under-rated. Watch Ronaldo, Agger etc. Strong neck muscles will assist this skill, plus confident technique. “You head the ball…it doesn’t head you”. Watch the ball right onto your forehead.

PASSING

The higher you play, the more important this is. You “keep the ball” at the highest level. The qualities of a pass are its accuracy i.e. to feet, or in front of a player, and its weight i.e. can the receiver pass or shoot first time. Watch Xavi ,Iniesta, Carrick etc.

CONTROLLING

Your first touch of a ball should allow you to pass or shoot with the next touch. The majority of high level football is played at one and two touch. You get in the line of flight of the ball, relax the controlling surface and keep the ball moving. You should try to receive the ball with your body in a position that you can always see the opponent’s goal. Watch Zidane, Messi etc.

TACKLING

The best defenders come off the pitch with “clean shorts”. Go to ground as a last resort as when you are on the ground you are out of the game. The best defenders “nick the ball”, they “mark in advance” or “inside to out”. They intimidate forwards with strength, never show pain. When jockeying, “watch the ball…not the feet of the forward”, try to force the forward wide or, even better, towards his own goal. Try to win the ball when you have cover. Watch Baresi, Ferdinand etc.

DRIBBLING

A player who can “take people on”, “do people” can destroy any team shape as they pull players out of position if they have gone past somebody. Watch Giggs, Messi, Ronaldo etc. The key factors are change of pace and direction. The best dribblers keep the ball between their feet so they can go either way and often keep the ball going when they are tackled. The great players know when to stop dribbling and when to pass. Dribbling is encouraged in the final third and THEIR penalty box.

SHOOTING

“If you don’t shoot you don’t score”. Be prepared to shoot, have confidence. The best shot in the world is no good if it is wide so the most important thing is accuracy! Not power. The majority of goals are scored from 1 or 2 touch. So as the ball comes, relax, get the ball “out of your body” and “watch the ball hit your foot”. The ball goes where your head goes. Watch Michu, Fowler, Viduka, Van Persie etc.

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.

Another aspect that the FA Officials asked me to look at was preparation for a game. This was an area they felt was lacking in knowledge. So each player was given the following handout and it was analysed step by step and why. Some players will forget it, but I feel it is the responsibility of the Coach to offer knowledge, explain it and if it sticks in the players brain, then great!.

PREPARATION FOR GAME SHEETS GIVEN TO PLAYERS AND LOCAL COACHES

PSYCHOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

A professional player must know how to prepare himself off the pitch. A professional Soccer player must not only train hard but must look after all areas of his life. A disciplined mind will help you have the correct attitude towards the game. The professionals with long careers in the game such as Baresi, Maldini, Bryan Robson, Kiatasuk (Zico) and Pele were all disciplined players. It is only the freaks or great exceptions (such as Maradona or Best) who can live a wayward life style. For every one of these players there are a 100 failures, usually drinking in pubs.

This type of training will be new to you and it would be the easy thing to laugh and say I don’t need this. More and more Thai Premier League teams are using these methods. There is no shame in trying everything to become a professional player.

It is essential that a young player now starts to develop psychological (thinking) skills to help him become a complete player.

DAY OF THE MATCH

A great deal of playing Soccer is ‘in the mind’ or based around confidence. The aim is to have that unbeatable day every week.

Try to complete the following check list and see how you prepared for the game. Complete it after you played well and try to keep the positive features. If you played poorly, then try to analyse why.

Date Match V Score

EXAMPLE

What did you do the night before the game?

A: Watched videos of AC Milan against Ajax with my mum and dad

How much sleep did you get?

A: Went to bed at 10.30pm. Woke up at 7.30am – 9hours sleep

What did you eat for breakfast?

A: Cereal/toast/honey/orange juice

What did you do in the morning?

A: Polished my boots, got my bag ready/played with my kid sister

What time did you arrive at the ground?

A: Arrived 90 minutes before kick off

What did you do at the ground?

A: Spoke to my mate in the other team/ watched the under 13s play

What did you do in the dressing room?

A: Stretched and concentrated on the jobs I had to do

What did you do in the team talk?

A: Listened to the Coach/ listened to all the jobs the team has to do. Took big breaths

What did you do in the warm up?

A: stretches/jogged/sprints/ ran in the areas that I play/got plenty of touches of the ball

How did YOU play (NOT THE TEAM OR THE MATCH RESULT…BE HONEST)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

POOR GAME GREAT GAME

So a month of hard work, but well worth it when you have 30 receptive players who want to get better and want to be professional players. It still is a step out of poverty for many young players in India. The FA were great, they supported and didn’t interfere, and as many Coaches will tell you, that’s a rarity all over the world.

I left them with the message that in 5 years I wanted to see 5 of them in the Indian National team. If they hit the right program next in the right I-league team, then that is realistic. In summary, a pleasure to work with enthusiastic dedicated players.