Be at your best
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned veteran of the game, the keys to longevity and success in football extend far beyond skill and strategy. It's about understanding your body's needs and giving it the TLC it deserves. We want to share some resources that Capital Football and New Zealand Football/Prevention and Performance have put together for the benefit of us all.
Warming up isn't just about imitating Messi with a few shots on goal or perfecting penalty kicks—it's the secret sauce for keeping you off the sidelines and in the game. It’s important that we stretch, do mobility drills, and activation exercises that not only prime your body for the physical demands of the game but also significantly decrease the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other common injuries.
But it doesn't end there. Managing load is key, especially for masters players whose bodies may not recover as quickly as they once did. Balancing training intensity, frequency, and volume to avoid overuse injuries and burnout is crucial.
And when injuries do occur, knowing how to manage them effectively can mean the difference between a brief setback and a season-ending ordeal.
Follow these links to find all the information you need. There's something in there for coaches too!
Capital football’s resource sheet
New Zealand football’s performance and prevention page