What is the best body type for football?
In the pro game, all body types are represented. Players who can make the most of their unique attributes are often the ones who perform best.
Take a look at these 2 examples:
Bernardo Silva - Height: 1.73M, Weight: 65KG
Zlatan Ibrahimović - Height: 1.95M, Weight: 95KG
Despite a huge height and weight difference, both of these players have made an incredibly successful career in the pro game. Why? Because they understand how to make the most of their attributes.
Bernardo Silva was naturally a smaller, shorter player in the academy system, so he developed a skill for constantly finding pockets of space, and offering passing options for his team. He could move around the field at pace, and was light on his feet. This made him an exceptional asset.
Zlatan Ibrahimović was tall and powerful from a young age, so he developed his ability to win aerial battles and hold on to the ball at pace. He used his natural attributes to be a dominant force that his teams could use to drive play forward and score.
The important thing to understand is both players were just as important in their team. Now, we’ll show you how to model yourself on a pro player to help you improve your attributes. We call this 'Player Modelling'.
Player Modelling Questions & Example Answers
We encourage all young players to complete these questions and answers, as it will help you learn about your body and how to use it.
We've prepared some examples, but your answers should be your own!
Who is your model player?
Bernardo Silva
What are their height, weight and physical attributes?
7.73M and 65KG. Silva has quick feet and a lighter frame. He is shorter than most players in pro-level football.
How do you see yourself as similar?
I am shorter and lighter than most players in my league, but I’m also faster. I can move around the field quicker than the bigger players.
How do they use their physical attributes well in their playing style?
Silva’s quick feet and light frame allows him to find pockets of space, make himself available and offer passing options for his team. His quick footwork allows him to display great close ball control and manoeuvre around the slower, larger players.
What do you need to work on this season, to help you play more like them?
This season, I will take advantage of my quick feet and use a high work rate to move the ball at pace. Slower, larger players will not be able to keep up with me if I learn how to find space better, and develop the ball control needed to move into it when I see chances. My lighter frame and quick feet will be my advantage.
Do you want to learn more about how to become an elite young player?
Our Street to Stadium training app features hours of content helping you to become a better player in the fastest time possible.
Here's just a short list of things that our members are currently using our training app to prepare for:
- Football scholarships at top universities
- Tryouts at elite academy clubs like PSG and Barcelona
- Division 1 games in competitive leagues
- Junior Premier League appearances
Yes, these are real case studies from our HUNDREDS of members!
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