OpportunityElite - For the Love of The Game

ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2018

THE LOVE OF THE GAME GARY STEVENS SHARES HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES ON HOW TO REACH THE NEXT LEVEL AND DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD.

INSIDE: Exclusive interview with Former England International, Gary Stevens.

C O N T E N T S Page 3 - Welcome Page 4 - How Do I Keep Improving?

Page 6 - New Training Drill Releases Page 7 - Interview with Gary Stevens Page 13 - Join the Ball Mastery Elite Page 14 - Progressing your Ball Mastery Page 15- Follow us on....

Welcome We love the game and can't think of anything better to be involved in. The opportunities in football are endless, however there is a lot of competition.

We aim to give you a head start on your competition, providing you with the insight, knowledge, and training, to take your game to the next level.

In this month's edition, we are delighted to give you insight from a top, ex-professional, former England International: Gary Stevens.

Gary scored in the 1983 FA Cup Final for Brighton and was a 1984 UEFA Cup Winner for Tottenham.

Who better to help you develop your game?

Elliott Everson OpportunityElite

HOW DO I KEEP IMPROVING? TOP PLAYERS, LIKE HARRY KANE, SEEM TO KEEP IMPROVING. WE'LL DISCUSS HOW THEY DO IT.

At the start of every season, there are

will show you compilations of their

some players who just look ready, like

highlights. Take bits of their games and try

they mean business. One of them is Harry

to include them within yours.

Kane. It seems to be that he can develop areas of his game that may have

There comes a time, especially with

previously been seen as weak, while also

fitness-specific drills, where you feel you

maintaining high standards in his current

stagnate, seemingly unable to take the

strengths.

next step in your development. The

How do players, such as Kane, keep doing this?

We will take a look at how you can continue improving your game, even when you feel unsure as to what to do.

With so many tools available, players can do plenty of research. Quick YouTube searches of players in your position

answer to this is variation.

Variation is crucial to keeping you, as an individual, motivated. We've all been to training sessions where it feels like the same activities are coached each week. It's difficult to progress if you don't feel excited. Vary your training and give yourself different challenges in order to take the next step.

This may mean changing your long runs to high intensity interval training, or switching from lifting weights to yoga sessions. Vary your training and it will no longer be a routine, giving your body a chance to adapt and develop.

Top players remain at the top because of their desire to improve, never resting on their achievements. Due to this they will constantly be looking to gain an advantage, trying new training drills, plans, or routines.

When training with the ball, it is important to maintain your repetitions, making sure you take plenty of touches on the ball.

Numerous reports have said that 10,000 hours' practice are needed in order to master a sport, field, or subject. Therefore, you have to plug away with your repetitive training. You can be creative, however, by changing your training schedule. Train on different days, at different locations.

Research training drills on YouTube. There are a huge amount of practices that you could view and use to develop your game.

Read articles about players and how they improve their training. You will then see

Adding variety to your training will keep you

how you can develop your game.

fresh and create a physical challenge, allowing for improvements in your game and

Keep researching, studying the game and varying your training. Your body gets used to certain forms of practice and workouts, and sometimes you need a kick-start to prevent a plateau.

developments as a player.

PRACTISE BY YOURSELF

CHECK OUT OUR NEW TRAINING DRILL RELEASES Click on the video titles below to view the drills.

Progressing your Ball Mastery Dribbling in Tight Areas Bringing Ball Mastery Into Your Shooting Practices 5 Quick Feet and Close Control Skills

NOMADIC

OpportunityElite Player Development

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GARY STEVENS England International

MEXICO 1986 World Cup Finals

MAKING IT TO THE TOP

By Elliott Everson We are delighted to be able to bring to you an interview with former England international and Spurs player, Gary Stevens: one of those players who has experienced it all in football, at the highest of levels.

Not many have a football CV that Gary can lay claim to: scoring in the 1983 FA Cup Final for Brighton against Manchester United, before a defeat in the replay a few days later.

Playing for Tottenham and England, with sporting legends such as Paul Gascoigne, Ray Clemence, Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher and Gary Lineker.

Gary has been there and done it, but the tendency for those looking from the outside can be to think that some top players have been lucky to be spotted, fortunate to reach the level that they played at.

In truth, that is not the case at all.

Millions of children around the world will grow up dreaming of becoming a professional, scoring goals in FA Cup Finals and representing their country.

There are, however, very few that manage to do this. What you see on the pitch is the very tip of the iceberg.

Beneath the surface there is a huge amount of work, sacrifice and determination to get to the very top.

It all started for Gary, as a youngster, practising regularly in his own time.

"As a kid I had my football with me at all times, I often took it to bed with me!! If I had some free time, I would be outside, kicking my ball up against the garage wall, right foot, left foot, control, turn, shoot, head, and juggle."

Soon enough, Gary's talent was noticed, signing for Ipswich Town at the age of 11.

Football was going well, with Gary staying at Ipswich for a further five years.

Prior to the implementation of Academies, players would sign apprenticeship contracts, keeping the player at the club from 16-18. If the club deemed the player to be good enough, they could then offer a professional deal.

Gary's plan was to sign his apprenticeship at 16 and then work toward the goal of receiving a professional deal. Football, however, showed its ruthless side.

In charge of Ipswich Town, at that moment in time, was Bobby Robson: future England and Barcelona Manager, who is now considered as one of England's greatest ever Managers.

Gary was delivered a shock that footballers dread to hear.

"I broke down in tears when the then Manager, Bobby Robson, explained the Club's decision and offered me their support in any way they could possibly help."

Some players can take this as the end of their careers and, in fact, many have thought that way.

Determination and perseverance, however, is key.

"Within a couple of days, I started to use the Club's decision as motivation. I rolled up my sleeves, went on trial at Brighton & Hove Albion FC and gained an apprenticeship there.

Ironically, within 18 months, I had forced my way into the first team and my debut was ...... you’ve guessed it, against Bobby Robson’s Ipswich Town.

Bobby subsequently became the England Manager and picked me to play for my country!! His decision, at the time was right and, I would argue, the rejection I had as a 16 year old was the making of my career."

Dealing with this major disappointment didn't prevent Gary from working toward his goals and dreams.

Perseverance, mental strength and believing in yourself are powerful tools that you can all use and develop.

His career continued to rise, scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out for Tottenham against Anderlecht in the 1984 UEFA Cup Final (Spurs' last time they won a European competition). Just two years later, Gary was included in the 1986 World Cup Squad, representing England in Mexico.

It was here that Gary saw the very elite first hand, witnessing the good and bad of Diego Maradona, in scoring with his hand the infamous 'hand of God' goal and then, with his feet, beating five to six players en route to his amazing goal that knocked England out of the tournament.

"My opponents included Enzo Scifo (Anderlecht, Inter, Torino, Monaco and 84 caps for Belgium), Johann Cruyff, Diego Maradona ..they all had different, and, of course, many of the same, qualities. However, I would say a genuine love for the game, a work ethic that got them to their level and a desire from within to be the best they could possibly be, led to them standing out.

They always strived to improve." said Gary.

These qualities allowed these top players to stand out. Team-mates, such as Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Ossie Ardiles, all demonstrated this, allowing them to perform at the top of their game for years.

Reaching the very top is incredibly difficult, but players need to remember we are all human.

Within your football, or coaching, careers you will experience occasions that mean a great deal to you. It could be the academy trials you are attending, your team's Cup Final, or debut for a new club. It could be anything, but you must remember that footballers are all human and we experience similar emotions, no matter what level we play at.

The key is being able to perform in these scenarios, understanding your feelings and using them to benefit your game, giving you the chance to stand out and perform. Gary has first hand experience of this.

"I was always nervous before every game, often before training sessions, not just the big games. I believed I could use the nervousness to my advantage.

It confirmed I was tuned into the opportunity that I had, an opportunity to play well, to contribute to the team, to succeed, or at the very worst, learn.

I would sometimes be almost physically sick before a game and I have seen team-mates throw up. I appreciate that these nerves have to be controlled to some extent - you can burn a lot of energy via nervousness if you are not careful.

My advice to any player would be to accept that the situation is an opportunity - it’s not the first and it won’t be the last. You are not judged on one performance, so a great game does not guarantee a contract and a below par performance is not the end. Your thoughts and your thinking are hugely influential."

Football is littered with stories of a club turning down a player who then reaches the top of their game. Dealing with these moments and continuing to persevere are huge strengths that you can use to help you take the next step to achieving your goals.

Football is incredibly competitive - Gary knows this as well as anyone, and has experienced the highs and lows. He definitely feels those highs and lows were worth it but you need to be prepared to work hard to get what you want.

"I would warn players that, despite all the apparent glory and adulation, it’s a very tough business. It’s very competitive to get there and just as tough to stay there. Are they prepared to deal with the bad that comes with the good, the criticism that comes with the praise?

It is one of the greatest sports to play and there are fine careers to be had all around the world, I would encourage them to go for it 100%."

Perseverance, determination, selfbelief and confidence are incredibly important in making it to the top levels of the game. There are set backs along the way. Lots of players, like Gary, have experienced these but stick at it. We hope that you strive and work toward these goals and experience similar moments to Gary's.

REISE | PAGE 4

"There were a few favourite moments that I can’t separate: my senior professional debut for Brighton v Ipswich, scoring in the 1983 FA Cup Final for Brighton v Manchester United making it 2-2, forcing extra time and a replay; winning the UEFA Cup with Spurs in 1984 beating Anderlecht in a penalty shoot out, in which I scored my penalty; making my senior England debut at Wembley and also playing for England in the World Cup Finals Mexico 1986."

After retiring at the age of 28 due to injury, Gary is still heavily involved in football, bringing to it a huge amount of experience and knowledge.

Previous coaching experience has been as the Assistant Academy Director and Reserve Team Manager at Charlton Athletic. Since then, Gary has moved abroad, coaching in countries all over the world, while also working within the media.

Clubs that Gary has managed, or coached, are Azerbaijan (Gabala FC), Ireland (Sligo Rovers FC) and Thailand (Army United FC and Port FC).

Keep working hard at your game and maybe you, too, could experience a life in football, similar to Gary's.

Talent alone doesn't get you to the very top. A love for the game, passion, desire, and determination, included with talent, can see you go a long way.

Keep persevering and give yourself the best chance of making it to the top.

YOUR 17 MINUTE TRAINING SESSION

Become a Master of the Ball and its finer techniques.

OpportunityElite are huge advocates of Ball Mastery, developing the player's control, balance, speed on the ball, coordination and reactions.

Top players from clubs all over the world will work on specific Ball Mastery programmes, great for warm ups, technical activities and development of close control. The more you practise this, the better you will become.

View the 17 Minute Ball Mastery session.

Progressing your Ball Mastery Ball mastery is becoming a very well-used form of technical training. Players work on their close control while developing their balance, co-ordination and reactions with the ball.

Take a look at the Ball Mastery training session above (if you haven't already yet).

After developing your Ball Mastery in these unopposed situations, it is important to develop the Ball Mastery sessions.

Try practising your Ball Mastery while you are on the move, developing skills that get you past an object and then into space.

Gradually, these techniques can be used in certain scenarios, for instance a Ball Mastery skill prior to a shot.

You will soon find that you are training your brain to beat the defender, creating space and getting them off balance, allowing you to hit the back of the net.

Over time, these skills become a habit. You will encounter a difficult situation with high pressure and little space.

Before you know it, you have rolled the ball to the left, dropped your shoulder and accelerated past the defender.

To help you, we have developed a Ball Mastery training video, giving you progressions. This video is designed to help you create space in order to shoot and score. Keep practising and you will find that these skills will be very useful in a match.

View Ball Mastery Progressions Here

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