Another new year lies ahead, and it’s time to get your priorities in place for what lies ahead in your footballing career. Use these seven New Year’s resolutions to improve your game - and your team’s fortunes. 1. I will work on my technique at every opportunity Ask Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham, and they will tell you that constant...

Futsal is the small-sided version of football that is currently taking the world by storm. Now officially recognised by both FIFA and UEFA, this fast-paced and often frenetic game requires a slightly different set of skills and attributes than its 11-a-side cousin. Futsal is growing in popularity very quickly in most parts of the football-playing world - both as a...

The FA’s National Game Strategy is an initiative designed to increase participation in grassroots football throughout England. The recent relaunch of one of the FA’s flagship schemes might have made the headlines, but does it really cut the mustard? Football at the local level in England has been starved of cash for decades. Pitches have been either sold off or...

While there are many very good footballers currently plying their trade around the world, only a handful can be considered as truly ‘great’. These are the players who - week in, week out - deliver consistent, game-changing performances that win matches and tournaments almost single-handedly. But what makes a footballer great? Is it a natural aptitude for the game? Is...

As part of the FA’s National Game Strategy, the FA has announced that £260 million will be invested in grassroots football over the course of the next four years - a new record. While this might sound like an avalanche of cash, there are some within the game that believe - after so many years of under-investment - this latest...

The rigours of a full football season can take a heavy toll on the body of a regular player. The nature of the game makes certain injuries inescapable at times, but it is possible to minimise the risk of suffering certain types of injury. Up to 80 percent of significant footballing injuries affect the legs, so priority should be given...

The typical British pre-season has come a long way since the days of cross-country runs and endless practice matches. Mental preparation and conditioning are equally as important as cardiovascular fitness in the modern game - which is why coaches are always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to prepare their players. The continental approach Clubs such as Barcelona...

The ability to use both feet during the cut and thrust of a football match can give you options. Whether you are trying to fashion a chance for a colleague, bring the ball under control or shoot for goal, the ability to use your weaker foot can often be the difference between success and failure. Although very few people are...

Some physios say that warming down after a football match is actually more important than warming up beforehand. The idea of a warm-down session is to allow the body to gradually revert to normal after being in full exercise mode. If done correctly, warming down exercises can minimise muscle stiffness and tiredness the next day - reducing the chances of...

Picking up injuries is one of the inescapable drawbacks of playing football at a competitive level. In the vast majority of cases, an injury is little more than a niggle that rights itself with rest. However, there are some footballing injuries that require an extended period out of the game, physiotherapy or surgery. You may be able to reduce your...