Diego Maradona's Training Guide
How would Diego Maradona train a young player?
While Diego Maradona himself is no longer with us, we think it would be fun and also intersting if we try to think how Maradona might train a young soccer player to become the next big star based on his own experiences, philosophy, and playing style. So this is what this guide is about.
Before we get into the guide, let’s first quickly touch on what made Diego Maradona arguably the greatest footballer of all time. (If you want to skip this intro, feel free to scroll down to the guide section.) What made Diego Maradona the player that we all know and loved was a combination of natural talent, hard work, and passion for the game. Next, we’ll explore some factors that contributed to his extraordinary career.
Early Exposure
Maradona was introduced to soccer at a young age by his family, particularly his father, who was a passionate soccer fan. He was surrounded by the game from a young age and quickly developed a love for it.
Natural Talent
Maradona was gifted with exceptional technical skills and physical attributes that set him apart from other players. His low center of gravity, balance, and quick reflexes allowed him to excel at dribbling, close ball control, and agility.
Practice and Dedication
Maradona spent countless hours practicing and honing his skills. He played soccer whenever and wherever he could, often using a rolled-up sock or a ball made of rags as a makeshift ball. This relentless practice helped him develop the extraordinary skills that he would later showcase on the world stage.
Competitive Spirit
Maradona was fiercely competitive and driven to succeed. He never backed down from a challenge and was determined to outperform his opponents. This mindset propelled him to constantly improve and strive for greatness. The significance of this mentality cannot be emphasized enough, particularly when considering the criticism Messi faced for years for not displaying the fiery passion that characterized Maradona. It was only when Messi exhibited this intensity during the 2022 World Cup that Argentina ultimately triumphed and secured victory, demonstrating the profound impact of Maradona's enduring competitive spirit.
Mentors and Coaches
Throughout his career, Maradona was guided and influenced by various coaches and mentors who helped him develop his skills, strategy, and understanding of the game. This guidance played a crucial role in his growth as a player. Some of these key figures include:
César Luis Menotti: Menotti was the head coach of the Argentine national team during the 1978 World Cup, which Argentina won. Although Maradona did not make the final squad for that tournament, Menotti was a significant influence on him. Menotti later included Maradona in the 1982 World Cup squad, where Maradona showcased his talent on the global stage.
Francisco Cornejo: Cornejo was Maradona's youth coach at Argentinos Juniors, the club where he began his professional career. Cornejo played a crucial role in developing Maradona's skills during his formative years, and their bond remained strong throughout Maradona's career.
Carlos Salvador Bilardo: Bilardo coached the Argentine national team during the 1986 World Cup, in which Maradona delivered his legendary performances. Bilardo's tactical approach and his ability to build the team around Maradona allowed the Argentine star to shine and lead Argentina to victory.
Football Intelligence
Maradona had a deep understanding of the game and an ability to read plays and anticipate opponents' movements. This football intelligence allowed him to make quick decisions and adapt to different game situations.
Diego Maradona with Platini Image by WKC
Resilience and Mental Toughness
Maradona faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his career, including injuries, personal struggles, and criticism. However, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and mental toughness, always bouncing back and continuing to perform at a high level.
Passion for the Game
Above all, Maradona's love for soccer and his passion for the game fueled his success. He played with joy, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to entertain and inspire others.
Maradona's rise to soccer stardom was a product of his innate talent, tireless dedication, mental fortitude, and unwavering passion for the game. These qualities combined to make him one of the most remarkable and influential soccer players in history.
Diego Maradona Training Guide
Emphasize the Importance of Technical Skills
Maradona was known for his incredible dribbling, close ball control, and creative play. He would likely focus on developing a young player's technical skills through targeted drills, such as dribbling through cones, juggling, and practicing various types of passes and shots.
Develop Football Intelligence and Vision
Maradona had an exceptional understanding of the game and was able to read plays before they happened. He will likely teach you to study the game, analyze opponents, and develop their spatial awareness by always scanning so that you can make better decisions on the field and play quickly.
Encourage Creativity and Flair
Maradona was famous for his audacious moves and unpredictability. He would likely encourage you to try new things, take risks, and express yourself on the field. This would involve working on your dribbling moves, feints, and tricks to build a unique playing style. Maradona would encourage you to train your ability to drive forward to break lines but also know how to drive sideways or switch the field of play with a smart pass.
Instill Strong Work Ethic and Discipline
Becoming a top-level footballer requires dedication, hard work, and self-discipline. Maradona would likely emphasize the importance of regular practice, and staying focused on long-term goals. Hopefully, he would also encourage maintaining a healthy lifestyle although this one we can’t guarantee.
Develop Mental Toughness and Resilience
Maradona faced many challenges throughout his career, both on and off the field. He would likely share his experiences to help his protégé develop the mental strength to overcome setbacks, maintain confidence, and perform under pressure.
Emphasize the Importance of Teamwork
While Maradona was a standout individual player, he understood the value of teamwork - his game wasn’t selfish. He would likely teach you to support and push your teammates, communicate, and work together to achieve success.
Foster a Competitive Spirit
Maradona was known for his fierce competitiveness and desire to win. He would likely promote a similar mindset in you, pushing you to always strive for excellence and never to settle for less than being the best player on your team.
Now Let’s dive deeper into the first 3 pillars that made Maradona one of the GOATs: (I) Technical Skills; (II) Football Intelligence and Vision; and (III) Creativity and Flair.
I.Technical Skills
Emphasizing the importance of technical skills in soccer is crucial for any aspiring player, especially when looking to reach the highest levels of the game. Technical skills are the foundation upon which a player's overall ability is built, and they enable players to execute various actions on the field effectively and with precision.
To help a young player develop their technical skills, Maradona would likely focus on several key aspects:
Ball Control and Dribbling
Maradona's extraordinary dribbling and close ball control allowed him to navigate through tight spaces and evade opponents with ease. He would encourage young players to practice their dribbling skills with both feet, focusing on changes of pace, direction, and body feints to outmaneuver defenders.
Passing and Receiving
Mastery of short and long-range passing is essential for any soccer player. Maradona would likely emphasize the importance of accurate, well-timed passes, and teach the trainee how to receive the ball under various conditions, such as while moving or under pressure from opponents.
Shooting and Finishing
Maradona was known for his powerful and accurate shots, as well as his ability to score from various positions on the field. He would help young players develop their shooting technique and encourage them to practice finishing with both feet and different parts of their feet, such as the instep, the outside, and even the heel.
First Touch
A player's first touch is crucial in soccer, as it can dictate the success of their subsequent actions. Maradona would stress the importance of a soft and controlled first touch that allows the player to maintain possession and set up their next move.
Juggling and Ball Mastery
Juggling the ball and practicing various tricks can help improve a player's touch, balance, and coordination. Maradona who loved juggling and doing freestyle ticks before games, would incorporate juggling exercises into his training sessions to enhance the trainee's overall comfort and confidence with the ball.
Set Pieces
Maradona was known for his free kicks and corner kicks, which often led to scoring opportunities. He would likely work with his protégé on set-piece delivery, focusing on accuracy, power, and the ability to curve the ball around defenders and into dangerous areas.
By emphasizing the importance of technical skills and providing targeted training exercises, Maradona would ensure that his trainee develops a strong foundation in the key aspects of the game, enabling them to become a well-rounded and highly skilled player.
II.Football Intelligence and Vision
Developing football intelligence and vision is essential for any player aiming to reach the highest levels of the game. A player's ability to read the game, anticipate opponents' movements, and make effective decisions on the field can be the difference between success and failure. Maradona was known for his exceptional football intelligence, which allowed him to consistently outsmart his opponents. To help a young player develop this aspect of their game, Maradona might focus on the following areas:
Tactical Understanding
Developing a strong grasp of tactics and formations is crucial for any player. Maradona would teach his protégé the roles and responsibilities of different positions, how to exploit spaces in the opposition's defense, and how to adapt to various game situations.
Analyzing Games and Opponents
Maradona would encourage a young player to watch and analyze professional matches, focusing on the movement and decision-making of top players. Additionally, they would study their own matches and those of their upcoming opponents to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Spatial Awareness
Developing a keen sense of spatial awareness allows players to make better decisions on the field. Maradona might use training exercises that require players to scan the field and process information quickly, such as small-sided games, rondos, or drills that involve decision-making under pressure.
Anticipation and Decision-Making
Improving anticipation skills enables players to react faster and make better decisions. Maradona could use drills that require players to predict the movement of the ball and their teammates, such as passing patterns or training games with specific rules that encourage players to think ahead.
Communication and Leadership
Effective communication and leadership skills are vital for football intelligence. Maradona would likely teach his trainee to communicate clearly and assertively with their teammates, both on and off the field, and to take responsibility for their decisions during games.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
Being able to adapt to different game situations and solve problems on the field is an essential aspect of football intelligence. Maradona might challenge his player with unexpected scenarios during training sessions, forcing them to think on their feet and find creative solutions.
By focusing on these areas, Maradona would help his trainee develop the football intelligence and vision necessary to excel at the highest level of the game. This would enable them to better understand their role within the team, make effective decisions, and ultimately become a more impactful and versatile player.
III.Creativity and Flair
Encouraging creativity and flair in a young soccer player is essential for developing a unique and dynamic playing style. Maradona was renowned for his audacious moves and unpredictability, which often left opponents in awe. To help his protégé cultivate their own creative flair, Maradona might focus on the following aspects:
Encourage Self-Expression
Maradona would inspire you to express yourself freely on the field, allowing you to experiment and take risks without fear of failure. By creating an environment where the young player feels comfortable showcasing their creativity, they can develop the confidence to try new things during games.
Develop Individual Skills and Tricks
Maradona was famous for his dribbling moves and feints, such as the "Maradona turn" and the "nutmeg." He would teach you a variety of moves and encourage you to practice these skills regularly. This would help the you build an arsenal of tricks that you can use to outwit opponents and create goal-scoring opportunities.
1v1 Situations
Maradona would incorporate 1v1 drills into his training sessions, challenging his trainee to take on defenders and find ways to beat them. This would not only help you improve your dribbling skills but also allow you to experiment with different moves and combinations to see what works best.
Small-Sided Games
Small-sided games with tight spaces and fewer players encourage quick decision-making and creativity. Indeed, Maradona continued to play with friends small sided games when he was already a professional. Maradona would use these games to push his player to think creatively, improvise, and develop their own unique solutions on the field.
Focus on Decision-Making
Creative players need to make quick and effective decisions during games. Maradona would help his trainee develop their decision-making skills by asking them to explain their thought process during certain plays or by creating game scenarios that require the player to choose between different options.
Encourage Playfulness and Enjoyment
At the heart of creativity is a sense of playfulness and enjoyment. Maradona would encourage you to have fun on the field, reminding you that soccer is a game meant to be enjoyed. This approach can help the player maintain a positive mindset and stay open to new ideas.
By focusing on these aspects, you will develop creative flair, empowering you to become a more unpredictable and exciting player on the field. This would not only enhance your overall soccer skills but also make you a more valuable asset to your team and a greater threat to your opponents.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, Diego Maradona's approach would focus on nurturing both the technical and mental aspects of the game, helping his trainee to develop into a well-rounded and formidable soccer player. Through a combination of rigorous technical skill development, honing football intelligence and vision, and fostering creativity and flair, Maradona would instill the essential qualities needed for success in the beautiful game. By emphasizing the importance of hard work, discipline, teamwork, and passion, the legendary footballer's approach would prepare his protégé to rise through the ranks and face the challenges of soccer with confidence.
In the end, the true legacy of Diego Maradona is not only his own remarkable achievements on the pitch, but also the impact he had on generations of footballers who looked up to him as a role model and inspiration. By following in his footsteps and applying the principles and techniques he championed, aspiring players can hope to carry on his enduring legacy and continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in the beautiful game.
