How to Get Better At Football - 6 Training Tips to Stay Sharp This Season

With the 2024-25 football season right around the corner, your football training is probably well underway, and you're looking for ways to improve your skills. We’ve rounded up our tips on how to get better at football so you can be well on your way to scoring more goals, making big tackles, and staying sharp this season.

Of course, practice really does make perfect, but there are specific areas you should focus on to help take your game to the next level. Use these tips as a guide to elevate your football game and reach your full potential.

Our 6 Top Training Tips to Improve Your Football Skills

These 6 football training tips can be applied throughout the season, including pre-season preparation. Each tip focuses on a key aspect of training crucial for every football player's development.

Regardless of your position or level, our tips aim to enhance your skills and increase your enjoyment of the beautiful game.

1. Build Your Stamina

It won’t come as any surprise that stamina is one of the key attributes every football player must possess. Being on the move for 90 minutes during a football match – even if you’re a goalkeeper – takes more out of you than you might think.

Building up a good level of stamina will help you get through the game and recover more effectively.

One of the best football training tips for increasing stamina is consistency.

To build your running stamina, aim to run 3-4 times a week for around 30 to 40 minutes.

Don’t worry too much about the distance; take it at a moderate pace and focus on your technique and breathing.

When you reach the fourth run, push yourself distance-wise. Add an extra kilometre on to your run while staying at your usual pace.

Training consistently in this way will help to increase your aerobic capacity. This means your muscles will be able to use more oxygen, and you’ll be able to train and play for longer.

After a few weeks, you’ll notice a difference on the football pitch, and you should feel the training is paying off. Remember to keep up the hard work throughout the year, even when you’re not playing.

2. Work on Sprints

Explosive power sets some football players apart from the rest. Hazard, Sterling, and Rashford can all turn on their pace in a split-second, leaving defenders for dead. Once you have started building your stamina, you can begin exploring training tips for increasing your sprints and pace.

After a warm-up jog of around 40 minutes, you can use 20-second sprints to build your pace.

Like building your stamina, this is a learning process. You need to be aware of which techniques work best for you and which deliver results. Try doing 4-6 20-second sprints with a rest of 30 seconds in between.

You can start to time yourself, and over time, you should see improvements in your pace. You could also try this from a jogging start mimicking an in-game scenario.

3. Focus on Footwork

There’s nothing worse than being wrong-footed and embarrassed by the opposition. Working on your footwork can help with core strength, balance, and coordination.

If you're a defender, these are especially important. However, running backwards and sideways are all crucial parts of the game for midfielders and strikers too.

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Footwork Drills to Practice

Here are some footwork drills you can practise at home or incorporate into weekly training sessions to benefit the whole team.

Including these drills in your routine will not only enhance your footwork but also build the core skills needed to outmanoeuvre your opponents on the pitch.

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4. Master Ball Control

There are so many occasions when someone's first touch lets the side down. A great pass that rolls under or over the foot, not looking at the ball, and miskicks can all lead to game-losing actions.

Mastering ball control is so important, even more so if you’re playing on a dodgy Sunday league pitch with lumps, bumps and a slope to the corner flag!

5. Practice Skill Drills

Everyone loves skill drills. They give players the chance to show off silky skills and practise for those special moments of class in a game.

Skill drills that can help with ball control include...

Shooting and Finishing Drills

Dribbling Drills

Incorporating these skill drills into your training sessions will help improve your shooting accuracy, finishing under pressure, and dribbling control, giving you the edge during match situations.

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Shooting Practice Equipment

Strikers focus on finishing and often practise scoring goals. A key piece of equipment for this is a shooting target wall. This tool helps you aim with precision to hit the back of the net every time. It's easy to attach to existing goalposts and can also be used for practising free-kicks.

Another essential piece of equipment for goalkeepers or strikers is the Crazy Catch. Goalkeepers can use it to improve their reflexes as the ball rebounds off the net.

This versatile tool also helps strikers and midfielders practise volleys at various heights and angles.

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6. Work Your Footballing Brain

It's well-known that physical training alone isn't enough to excel. The right mentality during both football matches and training is equally important. Every professional team has a range of support staff, including a sports psychologist who helps athletes perform their best and stay calm under pressure.

Your game next Sunday might not be as crucial as the Champions League or Euro Final, but getting in the right mindset can still make you a better player.That's why you're here, right?

Young or casual footballers can improve their mindset by visualising successful plays, staying positive, and setting specific, achievable goals. Practising mindfulness techniques to remain focused and calm under pressure is also beneficial.

Regular mental preparation, just like physical training, can enhance performance and enjoyment of the game.

How Much Should You Practise?

The amount you should practise can vary significantly depending on your current skill level, goals, and available time.

For casual players, practising 2-3 times a week might suffice to maintain fitness and basic skills.However, if you're aiming to play competitively or improve drastically, 4-5 practice sessions a week would be beneficial.

It's also important to strike a balance between quality and quantity and ensure that each practice session is focused and purposeful. Listening to your body and taking necessary rest days to prevent burnout and injuries is equally crucial.

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How Improving Your Football Skills Prevent Injury

Training to improve your football skills not only enhances your performance but also plays a crucial role in injury prevention. By focusing on techniques such as proper tackling, agility drills, and strength training, you build muscle memory and resilience.

This preparation helps your body handle the physical demands of football, reducing the chances of strains, sprains, and more severe injuries.

Additionally, a well-conditioned body can better absorb impacts and recover more quickly from minor setbacks.

It's Not Just About Training Sessions

Proper nutrition is vital for enhancing football skills and maintaining stamina. A balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats fuels your body, aiding muscle recovery and energy levels.

Staying hydrated is equally essential, as it prevents fatigue and optimises performance. Incorporating vitamins and minerals supports overall health, allowing you to train effectively and reduce injury risks.

Final Thoughts: How to Get Better At Football

Consistency in training, nutrition, and focus is crucial for improving your football skills. Regular practice sharpens your techniques, proper nutrition fuels your performance, and a dedicated mindset keeps you motivated.

By maintaining a consistent routine, you build muscle memory, enhance your physical condition, and develop mental resilience. Over time, these steady efforts culminate in noticeable improvements, helping you reach your footballing potential.

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