Learn How To Actually Train Before It’s Too Late

Summary

This video challenges traditional training approaches in football, highlighting the importance of training with quality and intention rather than just volume. It explains how to improve technical skills like ball control, passing, shooting, and dribbling effectively, emphasizing game-realistic scenarios. It also advises players to focus on functional physical training, including bodyweight exercises and plyometrics, while reconsidering the emphasis on gym workouts. Additionally, the video stresses the importance of stamina, decision-making, and mental focus for better performance. Ultimately, it encourages players to embrace flow state training and varied, realistic play for the greatest development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Training more does not always lead to better performance; quality is more important than volume.
• 😀 Improving ball control and first touch are the foundations for all football skills. Practice with intention and purpose.
• 😀 The 'Quality Pyramid' helps prioritize effective training: passive watching and mindless repetition are the least effective.
• 😀 To improve passing, focus on realistic drills such as wall work, distance passing, and rondos that emphasize decision-making under pressure.
• 😀 Shooting drills should focus on first-time finishing, turning and shooting under pressure, and position-specific scenarios.
• 😀 Dribbling should focus on mastering a few core moves and practicing them in game-like situations, including 1v1 scenarios and pickup games.
• 😀 Decision-making in football can be trained through watching matches, small-sided games, and analyzing your choices post-action.
• 😀 Weak foot training is essential. Include it in all drills, aiming for balance and skill improvement on both sides.
• 😀 Physical training for football should focus on bodyweight exercises that improve strength, stability, and prevent injury, rather than excessive gym work.
• 😀 Stamina for football requires specific training of energy systems: elactic, lactic, and aerobic systems. Focus on sprints and interval training rather than long runs.
• 😀 Developing a flow state through game-like scenarios, street football, mindfulness, and varied sports is key for improving instincts and creativity on the pitch.

Q & A

Why is the traditional approach of training more (longer hours, more drills) potentially harmful for a football player's career?

Training more doesn't always lead to improvement. In fact, training without proper quality and intention can lead to bad habits, injury, and stagnation in a player's development. It’s important to focus on the quality of each repetition, rather than simply increasing volume.

What is the 'quality pyramid' and how does it impact football training?

The 'quality pyramid' categorizes training methods based on their effectiveness. Passive watching is at the bottom, followed by mindless repetition, technical drills with intention, game-realistic training, and at the top, flow state training. The higher up the pyramid, the more effective the training is for player development.

How does focusing on intention during training improve performance?

Focusing on intention ensures that each action in training has a purpose, making the drill more effective. When players are intentional about their touches, passes, and shots, they’re developing skills that directly transfer to match situations, improving performance faster than mindless repetition.

Why is it crucial to practice with both feet in training?

Training with both feet enhances a player's versatility and decision-making ability on the field. By using the weak foot 30-50% of the time in drills, players can ensure they are equally proficient with both feet, reducing limitations during matches.

How should dribbling be trained to be effective in a match scenario?

Dribbling should be trained with a focus on mastering a few key skills that suit the player's style, incorporating shadow dribbling, one-on-one practice, and small-sided games. This ensures that dribbling is effective under pressure and in game-realistic situations, rather than just performing flashy moves in isolation.

What role does physicality play in football training, and what should players prioritize in the gym?

Physicality is important, but football players should not overly prioritize gym sessions. Instead, bodyweight training focused on football-specific attributes, such as unilateral isometric exercises and plyometrics, should be the main focus. This helps develop strength, stability, and explosiveness needed on the field.

Why is stamina training different in football compared to marathon running?

Football requires bursts of high-intensity sprints followed by recovery periods, which is different from marathon running, which trains long, steady paces. Football players should focus on training the elastic, lactic, and aerobic systems through interval training and small-sided games to replicate the dynamic nature of the sport.

How can a footballer improve their decision-making skills on the field?

To improve decision-making, players should watch matches and pause key moments to analyze possible decisions. Playing small-sided games also helps as they offer frequent decision-making opportunities under pressure. Feedback after each decision is essential to refining choices on the field.

What does 'flow state training' involve, and why is it considered the gold standard?

Flow state training involves fully immersive, game-realistic training where players push the boundaries of their ability. It’s considered the gold standard because it encourages peak performance, where players make instinctive decisions under pressure, simulating match scenarios as closely as possible.

What are the essential elements for improving football stamina?

To improve stamina, players should focus on training the body's energy systems through interval sprints, recovery, and small-sided games. Additionally, optimizing circadian rhythms, improving running mechanics, and practicing breathing techniques can enhance endurance and performance during matches.