THREE KEY SKILLS FOR EVERY POSITION – AND HOW TO IMPROVE THEM EVERY DAY

GOALKEEPER

1. REFLEXES AND CLOSE-RANGE SAVES

• Practice series of 5–7 shots from close distance with short breaks.

• Use tennis balls to sharpen hand reaction speed.

2. FOOTWORK AND DISTRIBUTION

• Spend 15 minutes daily on short and medium passes under pressure.

• Work on directional first touch and quick release on small space.

3. COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATION

• Lead defenders with clear commands during training games.

• After matches, note situations where you could have communicated faster.

CENTRAL DEFENDER

1. 1V1 DEFENDING AND POSITIONING

• Train duels in a 10x10 m zone, focusing on body position and distance.

• Simulate “last man” situations – stopping attacks without fouling.

2. AERIAL DUELS AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH

• Do 50–70 headers daily in different scenarios.

• Jumping and strength training: squats, core, plyometrics.

3. BUILD-UP AND PASSING

• Practice rondo (3v1, 4v2) to improve composure under pressure.

• Work on long diagonal passes – 20–30 repetitions with each foot.

FULLBACK

1. SPEED AND ENDURANCE

• Sprint intervals 30–40 m, jog back, repeat 10–15 times.

• Play 4v4 games on the wings, forcing constant “up and down” running.

2. CROSSES AND ATTACKING CONTRIBUTION

• Deliver 20–30 crosses daily while running, with both feet.

• Train low and high crosses under defensive pressure.

3. 1V1 DEFENDING ON THE WING

• Practice 1v1 duels in a narrow corridor (10–15 m) using the sideline.

• Focus on timing the challenge and stopping dribbles without fouls.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER

1. VISION AND SCANNING

• Always scan 2–3 times before receiving the ball.

• Play rondo with the rule of mandatory scanning before first touch.

2. GAME CONTROL AND TEMPO

• Practice one-touch passing, then deliberately slowing down to switch sides.

• Watch 10 minutes daily of top midfielders, focusing on tempo control.

3. ENDURANCE AND PRESSING

• Interval runs 20–25 minutes every second day.

• Play small-sided games (5v5, 6v6) in tight spaces.

WINGER

1. DRIBBLING AND EXPLOSIVENESS

• 15 minutes daily of high-speed dribbling with changes of direction.

• Sprint 10–20 m with and without the ball.

2. CROSSES AND SHOOTING

• Deliver at least 20 crosses daily in motion.

• Practice cutting inside and shooting with both feet.

3. DEFENSIVE RECOVERY AND 1V1 DEFENDING

• Simulate “up-and-down” runs on 50 m (attack–recover–attack) 10–12 times.

• Practice 1v1 duels against fullbacks to improve ball recovery.

STRIKER

1. FINISHING INSIDE THE BOX

• Take 50 shots daily: one-touch, after control, headers.

• Train realistic scenarios: 1v1 with the keeper, finishing under pressure.

2. OFF-THE-BALL MOVEMENT

• Do 10–15 sprints over 5–15 m in different directions.

• Analyze game footage to find spaces and improve timing of runs.

3. HOLD-UP PLAY AND STRENGTH

• Practice receiving the ball with a defender on your back.

• Do strength training for legs and core 2–3 times per week.

SUMMARY
A central defender must dominate duels and aerial play, a fullback must have endurance and quality crossing. A central midfielder needs vision and control, while a winger relies on speed and dribbling. A striker lives off finishing and movement, and a goalkeeper off reflexes and distribution.

Daily repetition of position-specific elements builds an edge. Adding just 30–60 minutes of targeted training each day helps players grow faster than their peers – and that is the difference that leads to professional football.