Becoming a pro footballer wasn't part of the plan - Sylvain Distin
Sylvain Distin was one of the Premier League's most dynamic defenders. Fast, big & strong. He played for 6 Premier League teams during his career. A career he didn't want to do.
Read the storyJust published
Latest stories
Training
Building a pressing trigger your team can actually execute
A simple cue system that takes one session to install.
For Feet
Reusch Fit Control Supreme G3 Fusion Ortho-Tec
See what Reusch's top-tier gloves are all about.
Nutrition
Hamstring injury prevention: the new playbook
Eccentric loading and Nordic curls remain non-negotiable.
The dressing room
How I knew it was right to turn down Sir Alex Ferguson
When the biggest club in the world come in for you as a youngster it's flattering. Once the dust has settled, you've got to decide, do you want immediate status or a long-term career in the game.
Football Formations
Explore football's defining systems. Pick a formation to study its shape on a live tactical pitch, then click any position to learn the role.
The classic block
Two banks of four behind a front pair. Simple, compact and hard to break down — deadly on quick transitions.
- +Compact, organised defensive block
- +Two strikers occupy the centre-backs
- +Clear roles, easy to coach
- –Outnumbered in central midfield
- –Wide midfielders track back a lot
- Sides that defend deep and counter
- Teams with a strong striker pairing
- Squads new to a system
Insights
Stories, guides and tactics — the latest from insights.
How to play left midfield
Not to be confused with wingers, left midfielders offer more stability in a team than a traditional winger.
Edwin Van der Sar
One of the calmest keepers to have ever played. He never looked rushed or under pressure. Not affected by anything, he just got on with it.
Get to know your coaching 'why'
You've got your coaching license. Now what? Understanding the why, what and who behind your coaching can help you to be better.
Given the freedom to develop - Joe Cole
Joe Cole was seen as a player of supreme technical ability and invention. This talent could be what you class as 'natural'. Without the coaching manual he honed his skill as a child, to give him a car
With the ball
Stories, guides and tactics — the latest from with the ball.
How to create multi-million pound academy players
Southampton Football Club has long been famed for its academy production. One man can claim to be the catalyst behind its emergence.
A simple skill that really works is the drop shoulder
There are many ways to beat an opponent. One of the oldest ways and still one of the best... dropping the shoulder.
This is the number of pro academy games your child should play
The guidelines to guarantee your child is getting enough match play.
Thousands fail to graduate from the Ajax academy
Nigel de Jong won titles and plied his trade in different countries. He is yet another example of the successful Ajax academy. But what does it take to break through there?
The Body
Stories, guides and tactics — the latest from the body.
Help build your child's self-confidence for pro academy football
Confidence is the key to success. At a pro academy, even more so. Unfortunately, it's a quality a lot of today's young players lack. It takes time to build up a strong football mentality. Follow our p
Parents shouldn't expect too much from pro academy coaches
Do you want your child to be a footballer? Here's some expert advice for football parents on what not to do at a pro academy.
MilanLab - The impossible project that changed football performance
As a pioneer in football performance research, MilanLab changed the game for injury prediction and prevention.
What to do if your child gets released from a pro academy
Getting released from a pro football academy. Something you never want your child to experience. But the reality is, many young players will. If the time comes, a parent will need to be there for supp
Mentality
Stories, guides and tactics — the latest from mentality.
Project: Dutch Golden Generation - Mark Wotte
Former Dutch National Youth Coach, Mark Wotte, could've tried to win every title international youth football offered. Instead, he created a legacy focused on development. He reveals his insights into
Sophie Ingle
The Welsh holding midfielder has been essential for Chelsea's recent success, with her excellent defensive traits and versatility.
See how SAQ training can make you a faster footballer
How can you make footballers faster? This question involves different types of fast. Speed, Agility & Quickness (SAQ) - are vital to play football at the elite levels. Pro players work on both physica
Training
See all in Training →Training
Building a pressing trigger your team can actually execute
With the ball
See all in With the ball →With the ball
How to create multi-million pound academy players
Mentality
See all in Mentality →Mentality
Project: Dutch Golden Generation - Mark Wotte
With the ball
See all in With the ball →With the ball
A simple skill that really works is the drop shoulder
With the ball
See all in With the ball →With the ball
This is the number of pro academy games your child should play
Injuries
See all in Injuries →
Nutrition
See all in Nutrition →
Equipment
See all in Equipment →
Extra Time
See all in Extra Time →
Want this filtered to you?
Create your free Football4Football account and we'll personalise every page to your role.