Millions of amateur football players around the world want to know how to make it to the final level. They dream of becoming a pro football player, yet there is something just holding them back. Often, amateur players ask one simple question in their quest to get a trial and pro contract. That question is: how much should you be training?
10,000 hours vs. 10,000 touches
There is one number that seems to be thrown around when it comes to becoming a top football player – or at least a capable player.
The number 10,000 is often cited as the key figure a player should reach. However, there are two different methodologies of what your activity should be to reach 10,000.
One camp believes a player must train and participant in football activities – high-quality activities – for 10,000 hours. One reason 10,000 hours is said to be a target for an aspiring pro football player is because it shows commitment. In addition, the accumulation hours playing high-quality football will give you more than enough experience, knowledge and development to have a chance at becoming a professional. The problem is, it is hard to determine just how intense and high-quality those 10,000 hours are.
The second camp doesn’t believe the amount of time matters and it is the quality of training, games and everything else that aids development. This group believes the 10,000 touches methodology is far more important.
Many youth teams, such as Ajax’s youngster, are put through 10,000 touch training sessions. Players are to complete a full session in which they make 10,000 touches with the ball. This includes passing, dribbling and even ball juggling. Individual players are recommended to complete a 10,000 touch session once a day to really master ball control skills.
Of course, players may not have two or more hours to devote to a 10,000 touch session every day. Therefore, completing a sessions as often as you can is important.
It seems that both 10,000 camps have their merits. But overall, the idea of getting 10,000 touches is a better way to improve as you will be getting important training and ball work that can outweigh the training you would otherwise do.