A new soccer season is approaching. Energy and anticipation are racing back into pitches across the world. Players everywhere are eager to go back and improve. The question on their minds will probably be, “How can I improve this season?” 

‍

At Madrid Euro Soccer Academy (MESA), we work with our players everyday which is complemented by the training they get from the Spanish clubs they join as part of our integration program. Our coaches are experts at the latest Spanish methodology, training approaches and game-based development. We work with our players to focus on the aspect of their game that needs to be developed the most. 

‍

The Spanish Method: Practicing with the Ball

‍

Spanish soccer has evolved over the decades. You can hear long-time football announcers discuss how Spanish soccer used to be about physicality. It used to be a lot more direct with an emphasis on pressing. That was then. Now, Spanish soccer is known for its emphasis on free-flowing passing, orchestrated movement and rapid recovery of ball possession. 

‍

From a Spanish development perspective, one of the core focus points for players looking to improve is learning to master and be one with the ball. Learning to touch, flick, pass, strike and control the ball with different surfaces of your feet and your body. Training with the ball for hours upon hours is vital in this. To improve on the field, players have to incorporate the ball in their drills. This forces players to understand space and control, navigating the ball through tight paths with expert dexterity and power when needed. 

‍

On top of that, players must keep up with the tactics of a real game. The Spanish mentality places an emphasis on training like you’re playing and competing in a match. This means that training is guided by scenarios that could happen in games. Players practice positional drills to help master receiving the ball in tight spaces and making quick decisions. By following drills like this, players learn to manage risk and improve their problem solving capabilities.

‍

Aiming for Positional Intelligence and Superiority

Learning to read the field and how to respond to opponents is a foundational pillar for the modern Spanish method. Drills like 5v5 or 6v6 possession games, structured around specific positions, help players develop coordination and interdependence. In these drills, players learn to stay disciplined, to occupy the right spaces while moving to adjust to new situations. With pressure constantly applied by opponents, players learn to be composed and overcome challenges. 

‍

This effectively develops the players and exposes them to realistic, high-pressure situations. Drills progressively increase the need to think ahead by shifting from multiple touches on each possession to one-touch games. Instead of being told how many touches they need, they learn what they need to do within their own position. It gives them more freedom by providing them the proper framework to think about the game.

‍

A Backbone of Endurance and Physicality 

‍

Players need to have the strength and stamina to perform their skills and execute tactics from the first minute until the 90th. Improving on these can involve aerobic exercise, intervals, speed training, and strength training. Aerobic exercises form the foundation of a player’s abilities. Intervals increase a player’s ability to recover from bursts of movement. Strength training lets players manage the physicality in the sport. And speed training heightens their quickness up and down the field.

‍

Improving on the soccer field requires a holistic approach that combines physical conditioning, technical skill development, strategic thinking, and mental resilience. By focusing on speed and agility, strength training, ball-centered work and passing and possession drills, the Spanish method encourages players to elevate their game. The new season brings more opportunities for MESA players to develop these skills and instincts. By practicing them regularly, their feel for the game gets closer and closer to what complete modern soccer players have.

‍