Modern football is a demanding sport in which physical greatness and polished skills are given a chance to fully shine. More and more football players are breaking a sweat at the gym and trying out new things on the side. Being fit is important, but without great skills, you are like a car with a roaring engine, but no wheels. One thing is for certain: weekly training sessions no longer cut it, and individual technical football skill training is a great way to gain an edge in the football arena.
Integral approach
It is explosive legs that pack a real punch, but a football match is much more than just shooting. There is a whole lot of positioning, passing, dribbling, crossing, and tackling. What you want is to practice these techniques without anyone’s help. We have implied the importance of strength and speed already, which explains why athletes need not only top-of-the-line boots but also quality gym shoes. Still, we will turn our attention to practicing things like ball control and shooting.
The best kind of exercise is one which emulates actions performed on the pitch. It all starts with a nice warm up. Yes, you have to go through it even when the coach is not keeping an eye on you. It is an integral part of training, and risking injury during your individual sessions is the last thing you need in your career. You can go for a 10-minute warm-up consisting of jogging, stretching, and ball work.
After that, the routine really starts. The focus is on ball control and your ability to make it do your bidding. To make it happen, footballers must master the first touch. Thus, we will utilize ball control drills. All you need in order to get the ball rolling is a sturdy wall: hit a firm shot and perfect your first touch on the rebound. Take turns controlling the ball with each foot and let it sit in such a way that you can always do a proper shot.
You know the drill
Once you get a hold of it, it is time to introduce dribbling exercises. First, you have to learn how to move through tight spaces and then how to become one with the ball while doing it. It is a good idea to set up markers in a zig-zag formation and keep them 5 meters apart. The goal is to touch the ball as many times as possible with the outside of the foot between two markers. Vary the distance if you want to keep things more challenging.
Now, let us proceed to the shooting technique. No matter your position, you want to make the most of the chances you get, and hit the ball with prime precision and power. A wall can do the track again, so try to concentrate on getting the perfect contact during each shot. Have your eyes on the ball, pull the striking leg back high, keep the ankle locked, and strike. Just make sure that the foot is kept low and that the striking foot is the one you land on.
Apply the similar principles of shooting practices to the passing technique. Just move around while aiming at designated spots and change the distance and angle from the wall to reflect the dynamics during the game. Remember that you would be wise to improve all the core skills on your own, but also to put an emphasis on those that are vital to the position you play. Repetition is the driving force behind progress, so be prepared to show perseverance over the long haul.
Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee
It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to rise above the competition and hear the thunderous roar of the crowd chanting your name. Therefore, you have to go an extra mile with your training. Hitting the sweet spot on the ball should become second nature and the first touch an art worthy of the masters of the game. Ultimately, you should be able to reach peak performance, which means that rewards and recognition will come as sure as rain.
