Football Training

Football at Christmas is just as much part of the English game as half-time pies and jumpers for goalposts are. But in order to stay match fit during the festive period, you will need to make the right lifestyle choices. Christmastime is filled with temptations, many of which can be very hard to resist. However, if you can remain vigilant...

Knee injuries are perhaps the most feared of all injuries amongst professional and keen amateur footballers. Depending on the nature of an injury, a player might face up to 12 months on the sidelines while their knee heals, which is why coaches, managers and club physicians do all they can to prevent such injuries. But if you don’t have access...

The rigours of the average football season require that every footballer looks after their health and nutrition at all times. Getting the balance right between consuming sufficient calories and maintaining a healthy weight can be tricky, but by including these so-called super-foods in your daily diet, you can ensure that your body always has the fuel it needs to power...

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...

How many times have you been at the wrong end of a last-minute sucker punch that lost you a game of football? Late goals are more common than you think, and more often than not they are a result of tiredness. In order to fulfil your potential as a footballer, you need to be able to perform at your best...

Warming up your major muscle groups before the rigours of a competitive football match or training session is crucial. Properly warmed and stretched muscles not only reduce the risk of injury, they allow you to be at the top of your game from the moment the action starts. There are some very specific pre-match warm-up procedures you can follow in...

Having managed and played at the very highest level, Fabio Capello knows only too well how drinking alcohol to excess can affect the performance of footballers. During the build up to a friendly with Ghana at Wembley, Capello purportedly pleaded with striker Andy Carroll to curb his drinking habits. Whether Carroll heeded that advice or not, the former Newcastle United...

The summer break provides footballers with a great opportunity to relax weary muscles, recharge the batteries and mentally recover from the rigours of a hard season. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that you will need to be prepared for the new season if you want to be at the peak of your powers when...

The summer is once again upon us, and for competitive footballers, it's time to relax, unwind and recover from the rigours of last season. But if you want to be anywhere near best when the new season kicks off, you'll need to start thinking about your summer health and fitness regime now. 1. Stay football fit It is one thing...