Football Coaching

Improving as a goalkeeper involves working on reflexes, agility, leg speed, decision making and hand-eye coordination. In order to hone these skills, lots of practice and constant repetition are required – sometimes in an environment that recreates the intensity and often chaotic nature of a real match. There are five drills for goalkeepers that can develop all of these skills...

It has been mooted amongst those in the professional game that bad behaviour amongst parents may be one of the reasons for the lack of talent coming through the ranks in English football. Gary Lineker recently called for a ‘parental cultural revolution’ after declaring that he was fed up with maniacal parents shouting ill-advised advice and abuse from the touchlines...

Fatigue is the biggest enemy of optimal performance on a match day. Tiring too quickly during a match means you’ll be slower, less agile and distracted when you should be at the peak of your powers. Fuelling the body for a match is something of a science for professional footballers, and those same principles can be applied at grassroots level...

Agility involves strengthening and conditioning certain muscles and tendons within the legs and back. It also involves maintaining balance, body control and foot speed whilst making sharp turns and staying in control of the ball. It is critical in today’s game, as football is now played at a frenetic pace at most levels. In order to improve core strength and...

Starting a football club can be a daunting prospect. As well raising funds, attracting players and securing a permanent home for your new club, there is also the matter of FA affiliation to attend to. While there are several prerequisites to affiliating with the county FA, doing so can deliver several benefits to your fledgling team. Whilst there is a...

At a time when participation in grassroots football is waning, it’s essential that local clubs offer safe, well run facilities for players in order to maintain participation levels. A major factor in the decline of the local game in Britain relates directly to under-funded, substandard coaching and facilities – which is why the FA partnered with McDonald’s to launch the...

Shooting is an art-form in football, and the only way to improve it is by putting in the hours on the training pitch. The muscles, awareness and skill required to create power in a shot whilst controlling the ball are different to those needed for other facets of the game. There are five drills in particular that will hone these...

It doesn’t how much natural ability you have, or the effort you put into your training sessions between matches; if you don’t eat properly, you’ll never reach your full playing potential. As a footballer, your diet is just as important as your touch, passing or shooting abilities. Contrary to popular belief, there is no big secret when it comes to...

Every footballer knows the benefits of a thorough warm-up before a training session – and the consequences of not performing one. However, cool-down sessions are not so widely adopted at grassroots level, yet they can deliver a range of long-lasting benefits if performed properly. Instead of trundling off to your car or the changing room immediately after a training session...

Think McDonald’s, and images of obese children, greasy fries and unsightly litter probably pop into your head. However, as the fast food giant tries desperately to change its image, grassroots football in the UK has been an unlikely beneficiary. After a successful 12-year partnership with the UK’s governing bodies, McDonald’s has announced that it is to extend its sponsorship commitments...