Self analysis of football performance - Comparison to elite model

Training programme

Reasons for training program

As you can see, my training program places emphasis on; finishing practise, weight training and circuits. The reason for including finishing practise in my training program is because it enables me to improve the technique of my shot while eradicating the mistakes that I make, in order for my shot to be on the same level as Gerard’s. I have included weight and circuit training which focuses on abdominal muscles, many times on my program as this is the main way for me to increase the strength of my abdominal and stabilizer muscles which I have identified as the main cause of my shot going off target. Finally, I included the match in order for me to be able to practise my shooting in a game situation. This would tell me whether my training program is effective or not.

Self-Analysis Of Attacking Weakness 2

Comparison to Elite Model

Passing (Short)

                                                                            

Part B

Preparation:

• Extension of the knee; both quadriceps contract, and also at the gluteus Maximus and adductor Magnus at the left hip.
• Stabilization at the abdominal muscles and the spinal postural muscles
• Hip flexion at the rectus femoris and the adductor group in the right hip

Execution:

• Isometric contraction of gastrocnemius of kicking leg
• Eccentric contraction of quadriceps

Recovery:

• Concentric contraction of gastrocnemius of non-kicking leg

Part C1- Cause of the weakness

While performing the short pass, i still approach the ball correctly; at a 30° angle. I also raise my arms and pronate my hands for support and balance while approaching the ball. My weakness is in the execution of the pass, my judgement is not as good as it could be and this could be a cause of the lack of success of my short passes. If I am not able to judge the distance of my team mate and opponent well, I cannot determine properly the weight needed to put on the pass. Another reason for my passes going being unsuccessful could be due to the pass being lofted when I intend for it to remain on the floor. When the ball is off the ground, it is harder for my team mate to control it and therefore easier for an opposition player to intercept. The cause of the ball not staying on the floor is that when I make contact with the ball, I am leaning back slightly and my head is not over the ball meaning that I don’t have full control over my pass and it strays. Also, psychologically, when I’m laying I may remember a pass that I did which did not find a team mate which would make me  experience anxiety and affect my performance.

The reason most suited to me is that I am leaning backwards when making the pass. This is due to the lack of hypertrophy in my stabilizer muscles which help me to keep balanced and remain upright while performing the pass.

Part C2- Correction of weakness

Ways to correct weakness

To correct my weakness, I need to improve my core stability and my technique. I can improve my core stability by improving the quality of my stabilizer muscles; this can be done in the gym, with weights or in circuit training where I set up circuits that improve core stability. I can improve my technique by practising regularly and taking tips from my coach.

Training Program

Reasons for training program

I have placed emphasis on weight and circuit training which focuses on abdominal muscles on my program as this is the main way for me to increase the strength of my abdominal and stabilizer muscles which I have identified as one of the main causes for my pass being unsuccessful. I have included the passing drill to improve my technique; the cones act as my team mate’s feet which I have to pass to accurately in order for the pass to be successful. Finally, I included the match for me to see whether my training is working, this will show if I have a better pass success rate in the match.

                                                                                                                               

 

Self-Analysis Of Defensive Weakness 1

Comparison to Elite Model

Slide Tackling

                                                                               

                                          

Part B

                                                     

 

Part C1- Cause of the weakness

When attempting a slide tackle, I take on the correct starting position by getting alongside the attacker, rather than behind. When making the tackle, there is flexion at my left (trailing) knee. The main weakness when I make the tackle is that I am not upright which means that I do not have as much control over my tackle as possible making the possibility of me making a foul more likely. My hands are on the floor rather than being in the air which means that my centre of mass is not in a fixed point and I am imbalanced. The reason for this could physiological as I have not planned any training sessions where i work on technique for a slide tackle; I have also not being taught the correct technique by my coach. However, the reason for my bad tackling technique could be psychological as I may not have had enough motivation for my arousal levels to be high enough. Gerard has many thousands of fans giving him motivation and this could be a reason for his good tackles.

The reason I feel is best suited to me is physiological; I have not planned any training sessions working on correct slide tackling technique and have also not been taught the correct way by my coaches.

Part C2- Correction of weakness

Ways to correct weakness

I can correct my weakness by planning several training sessions which focus on improving my slide tackling technique. I could also ask for tips from my coach and implement these when attempting the slide tackle.

Training Program

Self-Analysis Of Defensive Weakness 2

Comparison to Elite Model

Defensive Header

                                                            

Part B

Part C1- Cause of weakness

The cause of the lack of distance in my defensive header is that I do not have as much hypertrophy in my muscles as Gerard. Steven Gerard wins more headers than me as physiologically he has stronger and more powerful quadricep, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles which enable him to flex and extend at the knee (hinge) joint to push off and gain more height in his jump giving him an aerial advantage over his opponent. He also has stronger and more powerful neck muscles which enable him to put more power on the ball and header it further up the pitch. Another cause of the weakness is that I time my jump wrong, which means that I do not gain as much aerial advantage over my opponent and I cannot get as much power behind the ball as I’m not making contact with the ball at its highest point in the air.

Part C2- Correction of weakness

Ways to correct weakness

To correct this weakness and ensure that I get as much distance in my headers as possible; firstly, I must increase the size and strength of my neck, quadricep, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles as this would ensure that I can get as much power on the ball. Hypertrophy in my neck muscles would mean that I can get exert more power on the ball and make it travel further. Hypertrophy of the quadricep, gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles would mean that I can get a more powerful jump and also jump higher and meet the ball while it’s at the highest point in the air which would also result in the ball travelling a greater distance.

Training Program

 

Self-Analysis Of Technical/Tactical Weakness 1

Comparison to Elite Model

Losing a marker to receive a pass

Part B

Part C1- causes of weakness

Although i am good at anticipating where the ball is going to go next, my attempt to lose the marker is not always as effective, this is because I rush the dropping of my shoulder. Because of this, I am not able to fool my marker into going the other way in order for me to create space to receive the pass. The reason I rush dropping my shoulder is due to psychological factors. When thinking of how I’m going to create the space for myself, I become over aroused and this leads me to rush what I am doing. In addition to this, because I have not identified where the ball is going to go before receiving the ball, I am forced to do so while and after receiving the ball, this means that I am not fully focused on dropping my shoulder effectively but rather thinking of what I am going to do next which causes me to become anxious.

C2- Correction of weakness

To correct the weakness, I must be able to control my arousal and anxiety levels. To do this, I must engage in deep breathing before and during my performance as this helps to control arousal levels and reduce anxiety levels. I can also work on my technique on losing my marker and receiving the ball by taking part in some drills in training.

Planned training session:

Practicing the skill – 2 players pass and move in a square that is double the size of the area used for the warm up. To receive the ball, both players must go one way and then quickly the other, only demanding to receive the ball once they have changed direction.

Developing The Drill – 4 players start on each side of the square with 2 in the middle. Player 1 in the middle must create space to receive the pass aiming to pass back to any of the 4 players on the side before player 2 can get the ball. Swap over and repeat.

Moving The Drill Into A More Realistic Game Situation - This Football Game is best played with only 3 or 4 players on each side with no goalkeepers so that each player has several opportunities to practice the skill. One Point can be awarded for either 10 consecutive passes or by passing the ball to a team mate who has found time and space to receive a pass behind one of the lines that make up the square.

Game Situation – Finish with a normal game focusing on the object of the training session, encouraging players to find space to receive the ball.

Self-Analysis Of Technical/Tactical Weakness 2

Comparison to Elite Model

Creating space with first touch

Part B

Part C1- causes of weakness

The cause of me taking too many touches is partly due to my starting position. However, it is also because I experience anxiety before I receive the ball as I am unaware of where I am going to pass the ball next, which makes me panic.

Part C2- Correction of weakness

How to correct weakness

I can correct my weakness by imagining how I’m going to receive the ball before I receive it, this way I know exactly what to do. I can also take part in various drills which improve my first touch.

Training plan

Practicing The Skill – 2 players face each other roughly 5 – 10 meters apart with 2 cones to the side of them that are 3 ft apart. The first cone should be lined up parallel with each player with the second 3 ft in front. Player 1 passes the ball along the ground to player 2 who with his first touch lightly passes the ball through the 2 cones, then side footing the ball back to player 1. Swap over and repeat. Please see the diagrammatical representation below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developing The Drill – 4 players start on each side of a square with 2 in the middle.  There should be about 10 meters between each cone of the square. Player 1 in the middle receives the ball from player 6 on the outside and with his first touch creates space to pass back to one of the other players standing on either side of the square. No more than 2 touches can be taken. Player 2 is the defender. Swap over and repeat. Please see the diagrammatical representation below.

 

 

 

 Moving The Drill Into A More Realistic Game Situation– This Football Game is best played with no more than 7 players on each side and no goalkeepers so that each player has several opportunities to practice the skill. Each player has to play 2 touch. If more than 2 touches are taken, the ball is passed back to the defending side. Encourage players to find space to receive the ball and then create more space with their first touch.

Game Situation – Finish with a normal game focusing on the object of the training session, encouraging players to create space with their first touch.