Mastering the Art of Shot-Stopping For any goalkeeper, shot-stopping is the cornerstone of their craft. While modern keepers like Ederson and Alisson have redefined the role with their exceptional distribution skills, the essence of goalkeeping remains the same: preventing the ball from hitting the back of the net. The Legacy of Great Shot-Stoppers Shot-stopping has […]
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Heading Ability: The Secret to Scoring with the Head One key attribute scouts look for in strikers is their ability to score headed goals. While height can give players an advantage, it’s not the only factor. A striker’s technique, timing, and positioning are crucial in making an impact in the air. Height Doesn’t Always Matter […]
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Stamina: The Key to Box-to-Box Midfielders Midfielders with exceptional stamina are often referred to as having a “good engine.” This attribute is vital for players tasked with covering both defensive and attacking duties. What is a Box-to-Box Midfielder? A box-to-box midfielder contributes at both ends of the pitch. They join the attack in the opposition’s […]
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The Importance of Holding the Ball Up In football, the ability to hold the ball up is an often overlooked but essential skill for strikers. It’s about strength, composure, and the intelligence to keep the attack alive. Why Strikers Must Hold the Ball Up When a striker receives the ball with their back to goal, […]
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Mastering the Art of Beating Your Defender One of the most exciting moments in football is a classic one-on-one situation. Imagine a winger facing a full-back, ready to take them on — it’s a moment that defines a player’s skill, confidence, and ability to make a difference. Why Beating Your Man Matters A winger’s ability […]
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Composure: The Defining Quality for a Playmaker’s Success In the world of elite football, composure is a skill that truly sets great players apart. For those aspiring to become the next great playmaker or “number ten,” mastering composure on the pitch can mean the difference between merely playing and truly commanding the game. At UK […]
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In our journey through nutrition and diet tips, we’ve covered essential aspects of what to eat, drink, and avoid to maximize your football performance. Now, let’s touch on an important subject that can have a big impact on your football journey: alcohol. If you want to make it as a professional footballer, avoiding alcohol is […]
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What Does “Reading the Game” Mean? Reading the game means being switched on every single moment of the match. You must stay focused for the full ninety minutes, constantly anticipating what the opposition will do next. Whether your team is attacking or defending, you need to be aware of the positioning of your teammates and […]
Read MoreYour Attitude on the Pitch: A Key to Success at Football Academies Always play to the best of your ability, right up to the final whistle. Scouts will notice the energy and positivity you bring to the game, even if the scoreline isn’t in your favour. When the match is over, display good sportsmanship by […]
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Embracing Positional Flexibility It’s common to be placed outside your usual position during trials. For example, you may be accustomed to playing right midfield, but asked to start at right fullback. Instead of seeing this as a setback, view it as an opportunity to demonstrate your versatility. Sir Alex Ferguson, in his book Leading, emphasised […]
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