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

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.