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Caption:Mourinho

How to integrate fun into your practices


Having fun is something I want to incorporate more for my players during practice. I don't really know a lot of fun exercises/drills/games and would appreciate any suggestions. Especially any comments on what is fun for your players.

Also, if you know of any other sources (books, etc), I'd be grateful. My team is mainly 16 year old girls who just need to have more fun and enjoy themselves

Fun can mean different things for different players and teams and it's up to everyone to make it fun. For some players and teams, it's all work. A nice mixture of variety and stability helps. If I find something the players like to do, I will work that into several sessions during the season.

We may stay with a game or exercise that the players are into for a long time or cut short a game or exercise and do something different.

I make use restrictions to reinforce some technique, but also to have the players adapt and make decisions. All players are active all the time or they are inactive for only very short times. We divide the teams differently each session.

Many exercises are built upon one another. For instance, a 1v1 combines two groups into a 2v2; 2v2's are combined into 4v4; etc. The playing areas are marked initially to allow for the combination of players and quick movement into the next exercise.

The rules may be changed with each exercise. One time, it is keep away or dribble across the line to score, and then it is on small goals. Multiple goals on each goal-line can be introduced.

We play small sided and large sided. We go with different field shapes and dimensions. One of our best training environments this year was a 70 yard goal line with three goals on each line and a 50 yard touchline, playing 9v9.

Transition games are excellent. These games allow the players to go full speed for short periods and then get a brief rest (and water).

On some days, we will play a tournament where each player plays with and against other players in a 2v2 or 3v3 games. Each player receives a score for each of 6-10 games. I post or announce the scores.

I like to make fun of most of the players (some are too sensitive) and they will have a go at me.

We use rewards/punishments to enhance the competitive nature. For instance, after a 3 minute 3v3 game, everyone did three different sets of 20 abdominals. The losing team did an extra 10 per each set.

I also like to find some different type of training that helps, but still allows the players to have some fun.

For example, dodging rolling tires while dribbling was pretty different, fun starts with the coach then let it trickle down to the players

Your benefits of eating a well balanced diet

Whenever highly talented, motivated and well trained players meet in competition, the margin between victory and defeat is small. Attention to detail can make that vital difference. Diet affects performance, and the food that you choose in training and competition will affect how well you train and play

As a football player, you need to be aware of your personal nutritional goals and you should learn how to develop an eating strategy to meet your goals.

Diet may have its biggest impact on training, and a good diet will help you to consistently follow an intensive training schedule while limiting your risks of illness or injury. Good food choices can also promote your body's adaptations to the training stimulus.

Your football food

Every player is different, and there is no single diet that meets the needs of all players at all times.

Your individual needs also change across the season and you must be flexible to accommodate this. In addition, you have personal preferences and distastes which you need to consider since you should enjoy what you eat.

Getting the right amount of energy to stay healthy and to perform well is the key. Too much and body fat increases, too little - and performance falls, injuries occur and illness - results.

To be continued...