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Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

How non-academy players

can gain a career in football

updated on March 6th 2023

10 mins read

Players like Jamie Vardy, N'Golo Kanté, Jordan Pickford or even legends like Miroslav Klose were in the same shoes as you at one point in their journey.

They too once played in very low leagues, even non-leagues, but still managed to make the leap to the professionals. But what exactly did they do to get there? What separates an amateur from a professional? What do young and aspiring football players often overlook?

The following text will answer all that, so you know exactly what you can do as a non-academy player to reach the top of football.

Step 1) Believe in yourself

In football, established players often get lots of attention. This might make young players feel unsure about themselves, but here's something important: every famous footballer was once in your shoes.

Believing in yourself is super important for young footballers. It's like your energy that helps you keep going when things get tough. Even though becoming a successful player can be really hard, knowing that even the biggest stars started small can give you hope and make you feel determined.

These stories are like guiding lights for young football hopefuls. They show that no dream is impossible and no challenge is too hard. Every great footballer started just like you, with a ball and a dream. They had tough times, people doubting them, and setbacks, but they always kept their dream alive.

So to all young footballers: Believe in yourself, work hard, and never give up on your dreams. Success comes with determination and resilience. Keep your passion alive, let others' stories inspire you, and remember, greatness starts with one step. Your time to shine may be close. Keep chasing your dreams, and one day, you'll inspire others with your own story of triumph.

Step 2) Develop your skill set

This one is fairly obvious, yet it must be mentioned. Your skill set is the most important and valuable thing you have. You should never stop working and honing your skills over and over again.

First, figure out what you're good at and what you need to work on. Think about the main things you do on the field, like passing, shooting, or defending. Then, focus on improving those areas.

Once you know what you need to work on, just practice, practice and practice. Training with your team is important, but you should also practice on your own. Spend time doing drills to get better at the things you want to improve at, like shooting or controlling the ball.

Being a great player takes hard work. Practice every day, and try to get better at things that are tough for you. If you put in the effort to improve your skills, you'll become a standout player on the field.

Step 3) Conditioning

Have you ever wondered how players like Cristiano Ronaldo could stay at the top for years, despite their age? One simple word: conditioning. His secret? A training plan that gradually improves speed, strength, stamina, agility, and avoids injuries.

Players get match-fit by doing lots of fast runs. Working out in the gym makes them stronger and faster. Drills that focus on moving their feet help them play better. They check how well they're doing regularly and use tools like GPS vests to see if they're getting better.

But getting fit isn't just about fancy equipment; anyone can do it. Easy things like interval sprints and doing agility exercises in parks can make a big difference. So, start working on your fitness and see how good you can get at football!

Step 4) Recovery

This one gets quite overlooked, but it is just as important as everything else.

Recovery isn't just for academy players; it's essential for everyone aiming to compete at their best. Here are some things that you can do:

In summary, taking time to recover isn't just something extra; it's really important for every football player who wants to do well.

When you make recovery a priority, you're not just improving how you play; you're also looking after your health and making sure you can keep playing your best for a long time.

Step 5) Nutrition and Hydration

Success in football isn't just about skill; it's about taking care of your body, as discussed in the previous step. Eating right and staying hydrated are crucial for peak performance and long-term success.

Think of it like this: your body is like a car, and food is the fuel that keeps it running smoothly. So, what kind of fuel does your body need? Well, it needs a mix of different foods to keep you energized, help your muscles stay strong, and keep you healthy. That means eating things like carbs for energy, protein for muscle power, and vitamins to keep everything working nicely.

But it's not just about what you eat; it's also about when you eat it. Before hitting the training ground or heading into a big match, make sure you fuel up with the right foods to give your body the energy it needs. Also, don't forget to drink plenty of liquids all day, especially before, during, and after you exercise. Water is the best choice, but drinks with electrolytes can be helpful, especially when you're working out hard.

By eating well and drinking enough, you not only play better but also meet the standards of pros. If you don't do these things, it can slow down your progress, no matter how good you are. So, eat right, drink enough, and see your game improve! The bottom line is that the things you do off the pitch are just as important as the things you do on the pitch.

Step 6) Mindset

Playing football isn't just about being skilled, the mindset is what separates the good from the best. The mental strength and attitude that players bring to the pitch can make all the difference in their success.

So, what exactly constitutes the football mindset? These are the things you need to train:

Resilience (you need to stay strong when things don't go your way)
Discipline (push yourself beyond your limits constantly)
Adaptability (can you adapt to different tactics and coaches?)
Confidence (believing in yourself can be a crucial factor)
Teamwork (football is a team sport so learn to communicate with your teammates)
Patience (you need to be patient, because things don't always go right the first time you try)

The best ways to improve in those areas are by learning from experience and practicing regularly. Also, having someone experienced guide and support you is really helpful in developing the football mindset. Experienced players and coaches can give you advice and help you improve.

Step 7) Tactical understanding

Understanding the tactical aspects of the game is crucial in order for a player to excel on the pitch. So what exactly does tactical understanding entail?

It starts with comprehending your role and responsibilities within the team's game plan. Whether you're a defender, midfielder, or striker, knowing where you need to be and what you need to do at any given moment is essential.

Beyond individual roles, understanding different tactical structures is vital. Concepts like playing out from the back, pressing strategies, and transitional play can significantly impact a team's performance. By familiarizing yourself with these tactics, you can anticipate plays, make better decisions, and contribute effectively to your team's success.

It's very important for a player to actively seek knowledge and clarification on tactical concepts. Don't be afraid to ask questions, engage with coaches, and conduct your own research to deepen your understanding. Make use of Google and YouTube, or just click here to get to one of our blogs in which we go into detail about tactical understanding.

Step 8) Analyzing performance

This is another vital component that gets often overlooked; performance analysis. Whether it's after a training session or a match, taking time to reflect on your performance can be a real game-changer.

Regular self-assessment is crucial. By finding areas for growth and coming up with strategies to enhance skills, players can actively progress on the field. So, take a critical look at your game, set goals, and watch yourself reach new heights.

Let someone record you if possible. It lets you review your performance and see what you're doing well and what you need to work on.

It's about learning and growing as a player. By making performance analysis a regular part of your routine, you can reach new levels of success on the field.

Step 9) Get yourself noticed

In football, it's crucial to get noticed if you want to move up in the sport. That means you need to find chances to play in competitive games and events to get experience and show what you can do.

This is how you can increase your chances of getting noticed:

Compete in local and regional youth leagues and tournaments. This will give you exposure and experience.
Attend open trials for better known clubs and academies, even if they are at a higher level than your current team. Sometimes, talent gets noticed at such events.
Participate in football camps and clinics hosted by professional clubs, former players, or experienced coaches. These events can help you learn new skills and make connections in the football community.
Create a social media profile (LinkedIn and twitter)
Create a highlight reel or video showcasing your best skills and performances. Share it with scouts, coaches and teams you want to join.

In summary, standing out in football means being active, getting noticed, and making connections. By playing in competitive leagues and events and using social media, players can improve their chances of moving forward and reaching their football dreams.

Step 10) Keep yourself educated

In football, having a backup plan is crucial. We suggest exploring education options like football college programs and university scholarships. By staying educated, players can prepare for setbacks and open doors to alternative career paths. Balancing football dreams with education sets players up for long-term success.

So finding a balance between football dreams and education is a smart strategy for success. By exploring opportunities for education alongside pursuing football goals, players can position themselves for a fulfilling and sustainable future, regardless of the outcome on the field.

In conclusion, it can be said: that being a professional football player is difficult and comes with many risks and challenges. You have to work hard, be disciplined, eat well, have the right mindset, and much more.

We at Train Effective know these problems all too well.

That's why the Train Effective App was created. To take a huge burden off young players' shoulders so they can focus on the most important things.

Download the Train Effective App today to access all these benefits:

Get access to 200+ drills & exercises to master your technique
Fitness & gym programmes designed for soccer players
Boost your confidence & build the mentality of a professional soccer player
Create a personalised training plan to focus on your individual strengths and weaknesses
Stay motivated by emerging yourself in a community of like-minded players

…and many other features that will help you become a better soccer player in the fastest way possible!

Download the Train Effective app now and try it yourself!