Malcolm Cox

Ideally, the human body needs 48 hours of recovery time after a particularly strenuous training session or match. Of course, that’s just not possible for professional athletes. But if you want your players to be fired up and energised on matchdays, you’ll need to give them a little recovery time the day before.  Easier said than done, right?  Not necessarily...

Having a few key items of football equipment on hand is a great way to ensure your grassroots training sessions are successful.  Knowledge and enthusiasm are great, but they’ll only get you so far. That’s why we’ve compiled an essential football equipment checklist for grassroots training sessions. Having just the basics in your inventory should improve your team’s performances and...

Whether you’re trying to make watching football more accessible or starting a disability football team, you have certain responsibilities when it comes to making your club accessible. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, your club has a “statutory duty” to work towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of, among other things, disability. But what does this...

“How to make a football club” is an increasingly popular question being asked by parents, coaches and league officials. A club is often the beating heart of a local community — giving people a common cause to get behind.  A grassroots football club gives young people a focal point. As well as promoting teamwork and community spirit, a local club...

Heading in football has been something of a hot topic in recent years. Things came to a head this year when the FA published new guidelines on the issue.  But despite the new rules, heading is still part and parcel of the game. And you can practice and improve this vital skill safely and in line with the FA’s guidance. ...

Football Pitch Size Guide: Football Pitch Size Explained Have you ever watched a football game on TV and thought about the official football pitch size for professional games? Some of the football pitch dimensions differ, depending on the club’s preferences and the size of the stadium, however, so the answer is not a simple one.  Asking “how big is a...

Children love to play and participate in sports — and they love spending quality time with their parents. By teaching your children how to play football, you can embrace both of these activities for unforgettable bonding experiences.  For young children, the priority must be fun. If your football coaching sessions aren’t fun, your children will quickly lose interest — maybe...

Did you ever have to make do with a partially deflated football when you were a child? If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember such an occurrence. If only someone had a pump, eh? Because even a partially underinflated football can significantly change the way it plays. Thankfully, football pumps are cheap and ubiquitous these days. But this counts...

The equipment you have at your disposal as a football coach can give you an edge over the competition. If you can make your coaching sessions and team talks more effective, you can increase your team’s chances of success on the pitch. And the right tools are the key to this success. We’ve compiled a list of must-have items every...

The right words in the right ears at the right time can make a huge difference to a football match. Motivation and psychology are crucial factors in the success of football teams, but how do you leverage them to your advantage?  An effective team talk — whether it’s before a match or during half-time — is often the difference between...