Nike Football Great Britain

Training is The Difference

gareth.nettl — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:33:46 GMT

Want proof? Meet Kilian.

Kilian Jacquet is a 16 year old Belgian footballer. A good one. And, according to him, training with Nike Football has a lot to do with it. See what a potent mixture of serious commitment and SPARQ Training can achieve. In his own words.

“I did the Nike Football training drills at home, in the garden. When I didn't have the time to do it at home - because of school, or the 4-5 training sessions a week with my club - I did the drills after the training sessions.

There were a few drills that I really liked - 'High Gears', 'Star Run' and 'Rebound'. I downloaded the PDFs of the drills and printed all of them and i just took them to the pitch in my pocket.

I can still remember very well the ‘Star Run’ effect... I got a transfer to a better club! They said that they were positively surprised by my movement without the ball, and a big reason for that is the ‘Star-Run-drill!!

My volley got a lot better too. I scored a lot of goals last season, because I'm an attacking midfielder and when the ball gets headed back by an opponent, I can take the ball immediately on the volley, because I practiced it so often in the drill.

Last season I played with FC Dender, U19. I started at the U16, and when I started to train, my game went to such a high level, that they "upgraded" me to the U19, first U17, and then U19...so thanks a lot again! And next year -as I mentioned earlier in - I'll play with Zulte-Waregem.”

Good luck in the upcoming season, Kilian. But with focus like that, you won’t need much luck. The SPARQ pro-conditioning programme starts on the Nike Football Facebook page on August 17th.

Try it. It might just change your game.

Train to Make the Difference - week in, week out

gareth.nettl — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:27:27 GMT

Starting the season strong is essential for professional players. Fast out of the blocks means an early season advantage. That’s why top coaches put such emphasis on pre-season training. But what about you?

When are you planning to hit peak physical condition? The weekend before your first match? Start tuning your body now and get a physical edge that gets you noticed from kick-off to final whistle.

From August 17th we’re dropping the Nike Football SPARQ Training programme on Facebook. Three sessions a week of pro-level conditioning drills created by top international coaches, Jens Bangsbo and Paul Winsper, who will also be on hand to provide pro tips and advice throughout the four-week programme.

Just hit Facebook, watch stars like Andres Iniésta and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar demo the drills – then get out there and sharpen your edge.

Nike Football training helps you build your strength making you harder to shrug off the ball. Helps improve your speed, making you as fast in the last 20 minutes as the first 20. And toughens your core muscles, helping you avoid injury. All the drills are done with the ball at your feet, so you’ll improve your touch as you build your fitness.

This is your season. Own it.

Get training

Want proof? Read Kilian's story

Bootcamp: 5 things you need to know

gareth.nettl — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:41:22 GMT

Everybody’s talking about Bootcamp Why? Because it delivers the very latest world class professional football training directly into your hands. For free. And it’s guaranteed to power your game with a serious peformance boost.

Interested? Here’s five Bootcamp factoids to get your training juices flowing.

1. It’s a new way to train. There are skill programmes. And there are conditioning programmes. But Bootcamp’s hardcore aerobic conditioning works you hard with the ball at your feet. So your technique grows alongside your speed and stamina.

2. It’s where the pros go. Bootcamp is designed by top pro conditioning coaches Jens Bangsbo and Paul Winsper. And brought to life by stars like Andres Iniesta and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. It doesn’t get any better. Fact.

3. It’s on mobile. Watch your vids right on your chosen training patch. Then time your drills and even count out your tempo with a toolkit of handy training tools.

4. You can choose your level. Bootcamp has three programmes. Choose according to your level of fitness and commitment. Choose your start date. Choose to stick at it. That’s it. Simple. Want to play it your way? Then just browse the drill library and make up your own programme for some training a la carte. It’s up to you.

5. It’s equipment-lite. Bootcamp doesn’t need much more kit than you, a ball and some willpower. Some drills are based on minimal exercise gear – but alternatives are always offered. And sure, it’d be great if you have goals and cones… but you are officially encouraged to make use of what you’ve got.

Want to see more? Check out the Drill of the Week compilation below or visit our Youtube Bootcamp Playlist.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Go Long

gareth.nettl — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:12:04 GMT

It’s that laser-guided pass in the dying seconds of a game that can make the difference between ninety deadlocked minutes and three vital points.

Watch Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s masterclass in grasscutting distribution and you’ll soon learn one of Bootcamp’s most valuable lessons: master Go Long, and you’ll go far.

Bootcamp Drill of the week: Change up

gareth.nettl — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:05:52 GMT

A footballer changes speed 1300 times in a game. That’s a whole lot of variation to build into your training if you want to leave your opponents kicking air.

With Bootcamp's Change Up drill, you’ll be changing speed every 20 seconds. So get set. Get psyched. And get ready for a whole new world of acceleration on the pitch.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Chest and go

gareth.nettl — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:52:26 GMT

Stopping the ball with your chest is a skill. Controlling it is an art.

See how Barcelona hero Andrés Iniesta hones his touch with ‘Chest and Go’ – the latest Bootcamp Drill of the Week.

Keep the ball close as you drive forward, then flick it up, control it with a deft chest trap, and spank it into the waiting net.

Speed, balance, and explosive finishing – it’s the killer combination that only Bootcamp delivers.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Dual Goals

gareth.nettl — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:42:40 GMT

Running and scoring. Two things you can never get enough of.

It’s a simple formula: grab one ball, two goals and four cones. Add a combination of electric pace and razor sharp finishing. What do you get? Dual Goals: this week’s featured Bootcamp drill.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Rebound

gareth.nettl — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:34:23 GMT

Bounce back to full fitness in time for the new season with "Rebound", the latest Bootcamp drill of the week.

This one's all about control. Twist and turn with the ball glued to your toe, then knock an inch-perfect pass and accelerate as you receive it back.

Constant movement and constant control - two ingredients for next season's complete footballer.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Step It Up

gareth.nettl — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:07:31 GMT

Step up your game with Andrés Iniesta in Bootcamp's Drill of the Week.

When a game's deadlocked and there's no room for manoeuvre, it's the fastest feet that open up space for a match-clinching moment of magic.
Now do what The Man says: shoot. Score. Relax.

Bootcamp Drill of the Week: Back to Back

gareth.nettl — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:01:48 GMT

Two goals in fifteen seconds. It’s every striker’s dream.

See Klaas Jan Huntelaar take on Bootcamp’s ‘back to back’ drill, and find out how the explosive combination of pure pace and deadly striking prowess helps him take his game to the next level.

And remember: if you’re not gasping for air at the end of this drill, you’re not doing it right.

How to build a great player

gareth.nettl — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:29:17 GMT

Having earned a reputation for unearthing and nurturing some of the most exciting young players in the world, Arsene Wenger knows a thing or two about what makes a player great.

Watch the Arsenal manager’s expert opinion on how great players are built, not born. Find out how the perfect balance of talent, intelligence and motivation can mean the difference between a few promising performances and a glittering career in football’s upper echelons.

Summer just got shorter

nike_gb — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:29:33 GMT

Registered for Bootcamp yet? Here's all the motivation you need.

The Challenge

akqa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:36:49 GMT

How badly do you want to be a footballer?

Sign up for Nike Bootcamp.

Train Like A Pro

akqa — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:36:52 GMT

Nike Bootcamp is the ultimate pre-season training programme designed to build up your power, speed and stamina before next season.

It's like having your own personal coach. Once you sign up you will receive a weekly programme delivered to your desktop and mobile phone with details and videos showing you what to do and how to do it. The online program will track your progress and let you compare yourself with your teammates.

Each programme was created by Jens Bangsbo and Paul Winsper, two top level coaches with careers spanning the Premier League and Serie A. Whether you take the 4 week Basic training or the 6 Week Advanced – it’s guaranteed to take your game to the next level.

Champions are made in the pre-season. So make the most of yours.

Bootcamp kicks-off this summer. Sign up and own next season.