Making sure you get enough practice is essential to progressing in the game. Effective individual training is important so that you are not spending hours practising each day with minimal progress; you want to see a return for your hours of input. Here's a rough guide to help you figure out how much you should be training.
Younger Players (Aged 9 and under)
For younger players, training should be all about developing a love for the game and basic skills. Soccer should be fun, engaging and not too long. 30 minutes should be plenty for each day.
You can help keep children more engaged with Flick's training aids. Explore the Hero! range specially designed for players aged 3-7. These training products are all about fun and imagination. For ages 7 and explore the Urban range. Even just having a simple uPVC goal in the backyard with some training equipment can boost a child’s enjoyment of soccer.
Children Aged 10 and Over
As children grow older they should now be developing their skills and be able to pass, shoot and handle longer training sessions. At this age 30-45 minutes of practice each day is appropriate. Incorporating small-sided games and using equipment like the Urban Skills Trainer can help develop skills and refine techniques.
High School-Aged Players
Training for 90 minutes is a good amount of time for players serious about soccer. High school-aged players should start to develop skill, strength and tactical awareness. Playing for a team and having a coach should really begin to develop players at this crucial development stage. This is the age when putting in the time can see you develop beyond your peers.
If you are looking to make the most of your training at home, check out Flick’s PRO Skills trainer and the rest of the pro range to give you focus and maintain consistent practice.
Adults and recreational Players
For Adult players finding a balance between developing weaker parts of your game and maintaining fitness should be your focus. Focus on technique, fitness and tactical understanding.Always remember that at any age you should always have recovery days after game day and it is not necessary to practice every day if signs of over-practicing start to develop. Signs of over training include:
- Injury
- Getting sick
- Decline in performance
