So you’re thinking about pulling your boots back on and playing footie again this year?
We love a good kickabout, and plenty of Brits do, too, with roughly two million people in England playing at least twice per month in 2022.
But how and where do you get started?
The answer is, right here!
Getting Back To Football Fitness Levels
First and foremost, it’s important to make sure you are in good physical shape before getting back into football.
This means starting with some light cardio and strength exercises to get your body ready for the demands of the game.
Here’s a table with a schedule of exercises you can do over the next 4 weeks to improve your fitness levels.
| Week | Exercises | Benefit |
| 1 | Jogging, Squats, Lunges | Building endurance and leg strength |
| 2 | High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Planks, Push-ups | Improving cardiovascular fitness and core strength |
| 3 | Sprints, Burpees, Jumping Jacks | Increasing speed and explosive power |
| 4 | Cone Drills, Side Lunges, Mountain Climbers | Enhancing agility and overall body coordination |
Honing Your Football Skills
Of course, practising on the pitch is the only way to improve your football skills. If you’ve got mates you can play with, that’s great! Go find a park with some football goals and a pitch and have a kickabout.
There are also a number of skills you can practice on your own and a drill for practicing at home. Here they are in a table:
| Skill | Drill | Benefit |
| Dribbling | Cone Weaving Drill | Improving ball control and agility |
| Passing | Wall Passes Drill | Enhancing accuracy and speed of passes |
| Shooting | Shooting at Targets Drill | Increasing shooting precision and power |
| Defending | Shadow Defending Drill | Improving positioning and reacting to opponents |
| Goalkeeping | Reaction Saves Drill | Developing quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination |
Finding A Team or League
Playing with friends is great, but joining a team or league can take your football experience to the next level. There are numerous amateur leagues across England where you can find a team to play for.
If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few tips to help you find the right one:
- Check out local community centres or sports clubs for information about leagues in your area.
- Join a social media group or forum for amateur football players and ask for recommendations.
- Attend open trials or training sessions to get a feel for the team and their style of play.
- Find a five-a-side league if you’re looking for a more fast-paced and casual experience.
- See if your work has a team that you can join
Stay Alive & Kicking in 2024
Hopefully, we’ve ignited your passion for football again, and you’re ready to hit the pitch.
It’s not as hard as you might think to get back into the swing of things, and with a little bit of effort, you can improve your fitness and skills in no time. So , dust off those boots and start playing again!
Who knows, you could be one of thetwo million Brits enjoying regular footie in 2024.
