Nike Football Great Britain

Master the Four Rs of Football

gareth.nettl — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:44 GMT

Becoming the complete player means nailing the four Rs – Receiving the ball, Releasing the ball, Retaining the ball and Running with the ball.

Watch Nike Academy coach, Dean Smith, run his players through the essential drills as they continue their progress.

The moment you train for

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:24:58 GMT

Lassana Diarra is used to defying the odds. Not the tallest, the largest or the strongest, he’s carved a role for himself in Les Blues midfield, from sheer determination and committed training.

Every second of his preparation will be tested, if he gets his chance to show what he can do against the Irish. There’s a spot in South Africa at stake.

Watch the video to see Lassana in training.

Super Mario smashes it

DonJulio — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:44:54 GMT

Sometimes you witness the precise moment a promising talent moves up several gears into the major league.

For the man they call Super Mario, it happened in just 48 minutes. Last night, Balotelli scored two, created one and won the penalty for another. He even had to be dragged away from taking the spot kick by the regular penalty taker. Balotelli is not lacking confidence.

Watch the video to see how Balotelli hones his touch and dribbling.

Will his skills and growing confidence be enough to book him a ticket to South Africa?

SEE MARIO BALOTELLI'S PAGE

Cesc Fabregas: Total Control

DonJulio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:42:55 GMT

At the heart of the game stands the playmaker. The one whose first touch is already the start of the second. Who creates space out of chaos. Who sees runs no-one else sees or imagines. The one to whom precision is the norm and the spectacular expected. The one the other players look back to when their shot hits the net.

Watch Cesc take total control.

In total control

DonJulio — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:26:13 GMT

The CTR360 is the ultimate control boot. Developed for players who pull the midfield strings. Players who specialise in killer through-balls. Players like Cesc.

On Sunday, Cesc wore the CTR360 for the first time, getting a chance to see how the boot would improve his game.

Over 90 minutes Cesc gave a stunning masterclass in the art of midfield play – setting up four of Arsenal’s six goals and netting one himself. No arguments who made the difference.

Want to dominate the game like Cesc?

Explore the CTR360

Start training now

Introducing Nike Football+

DonJulio — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:29:10 GMT

Nike Football+ is a killer combination of our premium boots, pro training programs and access to the world’s top coaches and footballers. It’s simple - buy the boot and you get a code. Enter the code to unlock Elite football training and a year of improvement.

It all kicks off with the new CTR360. Buy the boot and get 4-weeks’ Elite control Training including video drills from FC Barcelona, skill challenges featuring Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta, and tips from Pep Guardiola.

Accuracy and Speed Elite Training are up next.

Become the complete player.

Nike Academy – First Match

gareth.nettl — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:57:53 GMT

The Nike Academy players just stepped-up to their toughest test yet – a competitive match against Brighton & Hove Albion's Academy team.

All of their specialist training would now be put into action. Could they gel as a team? Would their physical and mental preparation be enough to challenge a squad of players with professional contracts in their hands? This was the perfect chance to put themselves in the shop window, they had to shine.

As the game got underway the pressure got hot. Within the first 20 minutes the Academy found themselves two goals down – crumbling point for some but 'quit' is a dirty word at the Nike Academy.

The Academy kept their cool and quickly fought back with two well-taken chances from Sam Lechmere and Captain, Lee Brennan. In the second half, Kieran Forbes rose well and stormed home a well-placed header to give Nike Academy a 2-3 lead. The match ended 3-3 and our trainees proved they can bear their teeth when it counts.

Now they've had a taste of what's required, it's time to see who's really hungry…

Pain is temporary. Defeat is permanent.

gareth.nettl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:12:51 GMT

They taunt you and they hack you. But you know what you need from the game.

Three points. A performance to keep your place. To crush your fiercest rivals.

So when you’re brought down again, for the seventh time – that’s when you get up, rise above it and turn the game.

Make The Difference - Wayne Rooney

gareth.nettl — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:24:23 GMT

You could stop at enough.
Just another name on the teamsheet.
Happy just to turn up.

Or you could become their worst nightmare.

The one who turns a game in an instant.
Sees the pass no-one else sees.
Turns desperate defence into decisive attack.

Be the one that they worry about days before kick-off.
Who blurs the line between hate and respect.
Who can never be stopped,
Only feared.

Train for The Difference on Facebook

Fast is never enough - Theo Walcott

gareth.nettl — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:32 GMT

Theo’s lightning pace terrifies defenders and turns games.

But it’s never enough. To Make the Difference, fast must be fused with an insatiable hunger to be better. To be more than any opposition can handle. Every single week.

Nice wins nothing - Franck Ribery

gareth.nettl — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:30:34 GMT

What is nice? What's it ever won? Let's see its medals.

Ribery knows that nice never Made the Difference. To yourself in training. To the weaknesses in your game. To every last opponent.

Nike Academy - Pre Season Training

gareth.nettl — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:17:53 GMT

Nike Academy's first stage of training saw our talented players dropped off at Manchester United's Carrington training ground for a weekend of full-on physical and mental action. As soon as the lads stepped off the coach they got a real taste of life as a pro footballer.

United's ultra-experienced first team coach; Rene Meulensteen kicked things off with some intensive drills. By the time it came to the session warm-down, the Academy boys knew it was going to be a seriously tough weekend...

As well as counter-attacking drills, fast-paced small-sided games and tactical awareness lessons, the Academy boys were also schooled on what makes a well-rounded footballer.

Mental training expert Jamie Edwards got their minds focused on how to maintain a flawless attitude. "Can I get myself into the frame of mind when I've been at my best? And if I can, then I can do it again and again..."

The Nike Academy trainees returned to London on Sunday, knowing they'll need to put everything on the line to edge closer to a professional contract.

The Nike Academy Launches

gareth.nettl — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:47:13 GMT

They're some of the best non-professional players in the country. And last week, the very first members officially began their Nike Academy training.

Representatives from Nike and the Premier League welcomed the players. Then it was down to Academy Director Huw Jennings to explain exactly what he expects from them.

Former England striker Teddy Sherringham added some personal insights on what it takes to make it at the top level.

All the players signed official contracts, collected personalised Nike kit and met the teammates they'll be training alongside as they all prepare for a shot as a professional player.

Next it's off to Man Utd's Carrington training ground for pre-season. It's a great chance for the team to benefit from truly world-class training facilities and hit the ground running. Check back on NikeFootball.com to see how they shape up.

Nike Academy - Meet the Boss

gareth.nettl — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:45:42 GMT

Huw Jennings: Director of the newly formed Nike Academy. Find out what he’s expecting from the squad this season – it’s not going to be a walk in the park.

Meet the rest of the Nike Academy players and the coaches here, and Keep checking NikeFootball.com to see how their season develops.

In pursuit of accuracy

DonJulio — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:20:15 GMT

Watch the innovation story behind Nike’s most perfectly engineered ball: the T90 Ascente. Hear how the designers have accomplished the ultimate in accuracy. Watch the world’s greatest players put the ball through its paces.
And get yours now at Nikestore.com.