Position specific & positional play training in elite football: Context Matters
Paul S Bradley, Andres Martin-Garcia, Jack d Ade & Antonio Gomez Diaz
Those who have watched elite football across the last decade, realise that the game is more demanding than ever1. This places more emphasis on training methods to prepare players for the rigors of the game2. If we use the mantra of ‘train like you play’ it might be wise to complement existing practices with conditioning drills related to a players’ tactical role3 (e.g. position specific) and even elements of the club’s playing style/ energetic profile4 (e.g. positional play). Thus, this piece will explore how such a stimulus can be incorporated into two areas of football conditioning: (1) team training and (2) individual end stage rehabilitation. Examples are presented from two European clubs.