On August 5, all 5 FC Wisconsin Eclipse ECNL teams trained together at Veteran’s Park in downtown Milwaukee on Lake Michigan.  The training session was almost a purely technical session, and was also intended to teach players how to train technique individually.   

On August 5, all five FC Wisconsin Eclipse ECNL teams trained together at Veteran’s Park in downtown Milwaukee on Lake Michigan.  The training session was almost a purely technical session, and was intended to teach players how to train technique individually.  

Consistent, highly focused individual technical training is the most important ingredient in becoming a great player.  It is also a process that never ends; the higher the level a player aspires to, the more technical quality is demanded in their performance.  Every elite player, at every level, trains individually almost every day.

Today’s FC Wisconsin Eclipse session was almost identical to a training session that the enigmatic Mario Balotelli (currently of Manchester City and the Italian National Team) did for the cameras while playing for Inter Milan.  For a look at what one of the world’s most dangerous forwards looks like in his technical training, click here.

For a look at FC Wisconsin Eclipse players doing some of the same training activities, see below.  Today’s training activities included: (i) dribbling in small spaces; (ii) cutting the ball at speed with multiple surfaces and deception; (iii) changing direction with speed and deception; and (iv) air control.

Technical training requires determination, repetition, and focus ... as does becoming an elite player.