Becoming a high-level soccer player is impossible without having high-level fitness. If you look at all the players playing in renowned leagues, you will notice that they have low body fat and can run for hours. Avram Grant has coached a wide range of times globally, and all of the players who played under him were incredibly fit. It is a significant reason why this coach has been able to enjoy great success in soccer.
Those starting their soccer journey often wonder what it means to be fit. You have to take care of your body, but many people don’t know how and are often confused. Fortunately, Avram Grant has plenty of advice for soccer players to help them reach peak fitness levels. From healthy eating to lots of rest, Avram believes that soccer players should treat their bodies well and get enough exercise and sleep.
So without further ado, let us start by talking about what soccer players should do to ensure they are always fit.
Eat Healthy Food
While training is essential, soccer players often underestimate the importance of eating the right food. The last thing you need to do is undo all of your hard work by eating empty calories. Soccer players need to be lean and agile to run fast and perform a wide range of techniques to perfection.
Too much weight will hinder their ability to perform well and dent their confidence. Moreover, eating nutritious food also helps players recover quickly from intense matches and training sessions. This is why Avram Grant believes that soccer players should focus on eating foods rich in various nutrients like protein, complex carbs, vitamins, healthy fats, and more.
Most of the global elite soccer clubs have dedicated chefs who make highly nutritious food for the players. It is one of the main reasons they can perform at such a high level without showing any sign of fatigue. If you want to reach a high level in soccer, do the same.
Also, remember that eating healthy does not necessarily mean eating less. It means getting enough food to fuel your body to perform physically demanding activities.
Train Every Day
Soccer players should train every day to maintain a high level of fitness. Unfortunately, many players do not train regularly and end up paying the price. Believe it or not, even high-level players from world-renowned leagues are guilty of this. Having a non-serious attitude like this causes them to gain weight and reduces their flexibility, two things that are vital to succeed on the soccer field.
Avram Grant believes that reaching soccer’s pinnacle is impossible without regular training. Remember, training does not necessarily mean you must go through intense training sessions daily. Instead, you can keep things light some days to ensure your body gets the rest it deserves but does not go out of practice.
Maintaining the right balance is essential in soccer training. If you struggle to do this by yourself, it would be best to enlist the help of your teammate or your coach to do so. It would also help to switch your training routine every once in a while to ensure things are fresh and the sessions are enjoyable.
Stretch Before and After the Game
Soccer is one of the most dangerous contacts; loads and loads of players get injured while playing it. If you have been following this sport for a while, you will know that megastars had to retire early because of various injuries. While some injuries are not avoidable, some can easily be avoided through some extra care.
This is where following a stretching routine could greatly help you. Here are plenty of stretching techniques available online. Avram Grant believes that stretching thoroughly allows soccer players to last longer on the field and execute various moves flawlessly. This is why he implores soccer players to try before and after their games and training sessions. Doing so significantly reduces the chances of muscle cramps and injuries.
If you are new to stretching, ensure that you do not overstretch your body, as it could cause muscle tears. Instead, it would be better to stretch moderately, and to a degree, you are comfortable. Once you ease into your routine, you can go ahead and increase the duration of your session. Of course, having a coach or teammate to help you out with this would be ideal.
Get Enough Rest
Not getting enough rest is a surefire way to lose your fitness. Whether a beginner or a high-level pro, getting enough sleep is important to ensure your body is fresh for playing soccer. As mentioned initially, getting enough rest is as essential as training for a game. Therefore, it would be best to incorporate 8 to 10 hours of sleep into your schedule. Not doing so will only harm your performance on the field and could cause your coach to drop you from the squad.
Conclusion
Now that you know Avram Grant’s top tips to stay fit as a soccer player make sure you incorporate them into your daily regimen. Of course, there will be days when you may not be able to follow them, but make sure not to make it a habit.
Once you follow these tips for a prolonged period, the results will become noticeable, and your fitness levels will significantly improve. Remember, you can always get help from your coaches and teammates in your soccer journey, making sure your fitness journey is smooth.
