Forza Italian Football is pleased to bring its readers a regular new feature – Il Mister. Our experts will endeavour to show you all the methods and tactical secrets employed by Serie A’s best football coaches.
The summer is usually a time when football fans are left twiddling their thumbs, in anticipation for the start of a new season. But, for football teams the hard work really begins. Preparation is all important and getting the players in the best condition to start a new campaign is vital.
This week’s ‘Il Mister’ will bring you a snapshot on how current Fiorentina coach, Vincenzo Montella, approaches the return of his team from their holidays and what he expects from them during the first seven days of pre-season training. As you will see, methods have become very complex and even scientific, as coaches strive to get every precious ounce of energy and ability from the team.
Days 1 and 2
Players report to the training ground and undergo a myriad of tests to record their current condition.
Tests
• ‘Dexa’ health scan – measures bone density
• The ‘Gacon’ test – gauge each player’s maximum aerobic speed
• Isokinetic measurements – tests strength of certain areas of the body, in this instance, muscles of the leg. Useful for predicting injury recovery times later on in the season
• Neuro-muscular tests
Fitness
Low level aerobic work which could include two sets of 10-15 minutes of running.
Exercises to improve body agility and suppleness using specific stretching routines.
Day 3
Rest day
Day 4
Morning session
In the Gym
30 minute workout, including a core stability element
18 minutes of isotonic work made up of various leg and lower body strength exercises
On the Field
12 minutes warm up with the ball to include simple dribbling and ball control
30 minutes re-familiarisation of technical/tactical principles to include defensive positioning and rotation of the midfielders
10 minutes cool down and stretching
Afternoon session
8 minutes body mobility warm up
12 minutes warm up with ball
30 minutes re-familiarisation of technical/tactical principles including ball possession and small sided games to improve team compactness and defending in numerical inferiority
10 minutes interval running
10 minutes cool down and stretching
Day 5
Morning Session
In the Gym
15 minutes body mobility workout
15 Isotonic work with focus on upper body
On the Field
30 minutes technical/tactical work which will start to include position specific movements both in and out of possession
5 minutes cool down and stretching
Afternoon Session
8 minutes general mobility workout
15 minutes warm up with ball
30 minutes Technical and Tactical work made up of:
- 15 minutes 10v10 possession play
- 15 minutes 10v10 training match
Day 6
Morning Session
In the Gym
6 minutes general mobility
8 minutes core stability work
18 minutes isotonic work
On the field
30 minutes technical/tactical work to include creating and finding space when in numerical superiority
10 minutes interval running
5 minutes cool down and stretching
Afternoon Session
20 minutes of low intensity work in swimming pool
Day 7
Morning Session
8 minutes general mobility work
15 minutes warm up with ball in pairs
30 minutes technical/tactical work to include movement off the ball and shooting
14 minutes interval running
10 minutes cool down and stretching
Afternoon Session
8 minutes general mobility work
10 minutes work to improve running technique
40 minutes technical/tactical work to include ball possession, timing of pass and exploiting the wide areas of the field.
10 minutes warm down and stretching
