18 seconds to make a difference
“If I’m performing 300 actions in a match, that’s one every 18 seconds. Small-sided games – 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 6 v 6 – are a great, fun way to do lots of them in little time.”
Break down your game
“I think of my game as 5,400 seconds, and in that time I’ll have 300 high-intensity actions such as accelerating, decelerating or sprinting, with or without the ball.”
Dribble your way to success
“Challenge yourself to dribble 20 yards with minimal touches – then sprint the same distance without the ball. Start with three sets of six reps, with 10 seconds’ recovery in between reps. After one set, reduce the distance to 15 yards, then to 10 after the second. Recover for 3-5 minutes after each set.”
Get faster
“Mark out 20 yards and sprint from one end to the other as fast
as you can. I can do it in roughly three seconds. Repeat this sprint every 15-20 seconds, depending
on how fit you are.”
Recover right
“Carbohydrates are vital to refuelling
the muscles, and protein is important
for repair. Straight after training
or a match, rehydrate and start
the recovery process with a yoghurt-based berry smoothie
or banana milkshake.”
Tuck in
“If I’m doing a heavy training session I’ll eat Cajun chicken, quinoa and mixed salad, two to three hours before the workout. If I’m preparing for a light session I’ll have a smoked salmon and avocado wrap, one to two hours before it. The first provides more slow-releasing carbs for fuel; the wrap gives me quicker energy and is easily digested.”
Recommended for you:
Supercharge your engine
Core workout for football
Soup up your sprint speed
How to eat for a game
Recovery: A how to guide
Control the ball like Mesut Ozil
