VIDEO: Goalkeeper training with m-station in Arsenal
To have one of the best youth academies in the Premier League you need to have some great facilities.
Implementation of m-station in Training Sessions
Arsenal is currently investing in improving their facilities and one way they have done that is by incorporating m-station by Munin Sports into the training sessions. Carl Laraman is one of the academy coaches at Arsenal’s youth academy and he describes the m-station as:
It is not only the outfield players at Arsenal that enjoy the m-station football rebounder in training. The goalkeepers at the academy make good use of it. The goalkeeping coach at Arsenal’s youth academy, Lee Smelt, is a big fan of using the m-station in training:
– As a goalkeeping coach, the m-station will give the goalkeepers an opportunity to do different sessions, in a different way, give them a different view of things, and I like it. I like the way the ball springs back at different angles.
Would you like to know how to use the m-station football rebounder at home or in daily training sessions at club level? E-mail us or use the chat button at the bottom-right corner of the page.
Improve your aerial first-touch and passing with the m-station rebounder
Get going with the m-station rebounder and practice your touch and passing in the air in one sequence. Find the drills on your MuninPlay app and track your performance to continue improving day by day.
A CONTROLLED TOUCH INTO THE PERFECT PASS
Mid-air passes are not a common sight in official matches, but practicing them is not just about preparing for in-game situations; it is also about feeling comfortable on the ball and understanding its movement in the air. Inevitably, you are going to face bouncing balls during matches that require sublime control.
In order to make the perfect pass from a controlled mid-air touch, use the inside of your foot. As you gradually feel more comfortable, start using your instep. An instep kick is harder to control, but it is significantly more effective.
1. TWO-FOOTED CONTROL
While you probably have a preferred foot, you still have to practice your weak foot. This drill offers a very simple way to practice both feet so you do not mess up a simple pass because you only have one strong foot.
Step 1: Drop the ball at your feet, and after it bounces once (or before it bounces at all), lightly pass it to the rebounder using one foot
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net
Step 3: Before the ball touches the ground, receive it with the other foot and lightly pass it to the rebounder
Repeat until you can do this in full control. Track your progress in the MuninPlay app to make sure you continue to improve.
Difficulty: 1 out of 3
2. VOLLEY-PASS CONTROL
Striking a half volley is usually easier than hitting a traditional volley, because you understand the ball’s movement better when you see the ball bounce. Use only one foot at a time for this drill, and start with your right foot.
Step 1: Drop the ball and let it bounce once before making a pass to the rebounder with your right foot
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net and move your feet to prepare to receive the ball
Step 3: Allow the ball to bounce once, and make a right-footed first-time half-volley pass to the rebounder
Repeat until you feel comfortable, and then practice with your left foot.
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
3. INSTEP TOUCH & VOLLEY PASS
This drill is significantly harder than the previous two, but if you get the hang of it, consider yourself technically gifted. It looks similar to drill number 2, but instead of letting the ball bounce in front of you, make an instep first touch and keep the ball in the air. Start with your right foot.
Step 1: Drop the ball at your feet and let it bounce once before making a pass to the rebounder with your right foot
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net, and before it touches the ground, make a right-footed instep first touch
Step 3: Before the ball touches the ground, make a right-footed half-volley pass to the net
Do not let the ball hit the ground when you get into a rhythm. Switch to your left foot at some point to train both feet. Keep track of your development on the MuninPlay app.
Difficulty: 3 out of 3
If you are looking to practice your aerial first-touch and passing even further, visit our YouTube channel to find more drills.
Improve your dribbling skills with the m-station rebounder
Set up the m-station in your own backyard and become a better dribbler through a few simple drills. Find demonstration videos here or on the MuninPlay app. Improve on your own and surprise your teammates with your newly enhanced skills.
IMPROVING YOUR DRIBBLING SKILLS BY YOURSELF
At one point or another, we have all aspired to be Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, or Lionel Messi because of their ability to beat the defender and score goals. Good dribbling may force the opposition to commit multiple players to you, which ensures free space for at least one of your teammates.
Maintaining balance, keeping the ball close to you, and making rapid changes in direction are key to being a skilled dribbler. It is also important to study your opponent, learn his movements, and adjust to his strengths and weaknesses.
1. BASIC DRIBBLES:
Great dribbling is, in most cases, the result of close control and adequate pace. Messi does not perform fancy tricks, but he executes sudden changes in direction with great pace to beat the defender. Developing excellent control is therefore the first step to improving your dribbling skills. Start with your right foot.
Step 1: Pass the ball to the rebounder, receive it, and make a 180° turn using the inside of your right foot
Step 2: Dribble between the cones using your right foot only
Remember to practice with both feet. Increase the intensity with time, and track your progress with the MuninPlay app.
Difficulty: 1 out of 3
2. OUTSIDE-FOOT DRIBBLE:
This drill allows you to improve your control with the outside of your foot. No one uses the inside or the outside of a foot exclusively, so it is important to practice control with both. Start this drill using your right foot.
Step 1: Pass the ball to the rebounder, receive it, and make a 180° turn using the outside of your right foot
Step 2: Dribble between the cones using the outside of your right foot only
Repeat with your left foot. When you feel comfortable, increase the pace.
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
3. SIDEWAYS SOLE ROLL:
Last but not least, the sideways sole roll. For absolute top control and to keep the ball close to you at all times, use the sole of your boot. It is very difficult to do this at high speed, but in tight areas it can be a nice way to trick defenders. This drill is a great way to take your technical skills to the next level.
Step 1: Pass the ball to the m-station, receive it, and with the outside of your right foot make a 90° turn toward the first cone
Step 2: With your left foot, stop the ball and then drag it toward the next cone (on the opposite side) using the sole of your left foot.
Step 3: Once you reach the next cone, stop the ball with your outside foot and continue on.
The drill itself is easy to understand and practice at lower speeds, but at higher intensity it becomes much more difficult.
Difficulty: 3 out of 3
If you are looking to practice your dribbling skills even further, visit our YouTube channelto find more drills:
Improve your Short-Passing with the m-station rebounder
We have compiled a list of drills to get you off to a great start with the m-station football rebounder by focusing on short-passing skills. Find the drills on the MuninPlay app and turn your yard into a world-class training facility.
THE KEYS TO PERFECTING YOUR SHORT-PASSES
Passing is one of the fundamentals of football. Simply put, football is a team sport and you play like a team by constantly passing the ball. Short-passing is an important skill for any football player, but it is especially important for aspiring midfielders.
To get the best result for short passing drills with the m-station make sure to lock your angle and focus on kicking the ball with the inside of your foot. Remember to train both feet and as with everything else in life; Practice Makes Perfect
1. FIRST-TOUCH PASS – BOTH FEET
No one expects you to be an ambidextrous footballer, but being able to make a simple pass with both feet will always come in handy, especially during games. Through this simple drill, you learn how to to use both feet naturally and effectively.
Step 1: Pass the ball forward with your right foot
Step 2: When the ball returns, use your left foot to immediately pass it back (without taking a first touch)
Step 3: Repeat, making sure never to take a first touch before passing the ball
Push yourself by increasing the speed and intensity.
Difficulty: 1 out of 3
2. FOOTWORK AND FIRST-TOUCH PASS
You cannot expect to make a great pass if you are standing still. Most passes require some footwork, and in order to play the ball with the requisite power, body movement before playing the ball is essential.
This drill is very similar to the first drill, but it includes some footwork.
Step 1: Pass the ball forward with your right foot and immediately shuffle your feet backwards
Step 2: Meet the ball and make a right-footed first-touch pass
Step 3: Repeat, making sure never to take a first touch before passing the ball
Force yourself to pass and move with high intensity, and remember to train both legs.
Difficulty: 1 out of
3. PASS AND MOVE
Passing and movement are football essentials. Improve your ball control and your passing with both feet with this drill.
Step 1: Starting at one set of cones, pass with your right foot and move to the next set of cones
Step 2: Dribble around the outer cone and then cut between the two cones using your right foot
Step 3: Repeat
Remember to practice this drill with both legs.
Difficulty: 1 out of 3
If you are looking to practice your short-passing skills even further, visit our YouTube channel to find more drills:
Improve your goalkeeping reflexes with the m-station rebounder
Get started with the m-station rebounder and become the goalkeeper you always wanted to be. Improve your reflexes as a goalkeeper through these drills to channel your inner Manuel Neuer.
REACH NEXT-LEVEL GOALKEEPING WITH ENHANCED REFLEXES
Goalkeeping takes reflexes, handling, aerial skills, positioning, anticipation, determination, and a large amount of courage. No one masters all these skills, but you should always seek to improve on every single one of them – especially reflexes.
To improve your reflexes, always be on the tip of your toes; it is significantly easier to keep the ball out of the goal if you are always ready to jump or change direction.
A goalkeeper relies heavily on the ability to stop shots. Good positioning is important, but strong reflexes are usually referred to as a keeper’s most critical tool. Immediate reactions are crucial in any competitive game. Start this drill off with your back to the rebounder.
Step 1: With your back to the net, bend over and throw the ball toward the net between your legs
Step 2: Immediately turn around while maintaining your balance and keeping your hands in front of you
Step 3: Catch the ball while trying to keep your body well behind it
Repeat and keep trying to find the perfect balance when you make the turn in Step 2.
Having the right technique for aerial diving and catching can make the difference between a save and a goal. Having the right stance and jumping with the right movement is essential for all goalkeepers.
Start this drill by making a pass to the rebounder. The intensity with which you pass the ball will determine the intensity of this drill.
Step 1: Place your weight on the front of your feet and keep your hands in front of you
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net and prepare to jump wherever the ball may return
Step 3: Determine where the ball is returning, leap in that direction, and reach for the ball with both hands
Step 4: The foot closest to the ball should point diagonal-forward as you jump
Step 5: Try to move slightly forward as you leap for the ball
Make sure to practice leaping in both directions. Technique is key in this drill. Before you increase the intensity, make sure that you can execute the drill correctly.
Being able to dive and save the ball with proper technique is important not only for winning matches, but also for ensuring your safety. Avoid getting hurt and prevent goals and dangerous rebounds with this drill. Start by playing the ball to the rebounder.
Step 1: Place your weight on the front of your feet and keep your hands in front of you
Step 2: When you dive for the ball, drag the hand closest to the ball along the ground
Step 3: The foot closest to the ball should be facing diagonal-forward
Step 4: Try to move slightly forward as you leap for the ball
Step 5: Punch or tip the ball away, directing it between the goal line and the cone
Make sure to practice stopping shots from different angles.
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
If you are looking to improve your goalkeeping reflexes even further, visit our YouTube channelto find more drills.
SL Benfica: m-station at One of Portugal’s Leading Youth Academies
After Portugal won EURO 2016, the football world’s focus has been directed at the Portuguese part of the Iberian Peninsula. SL Benfica has been the center of attention, having developed the best young player of the tournament, Renato Sanches, who currently plays for Bayern Munich.
Other international stars who developed at Benfica and deserve honorable mentions include Ángel di María (PSG), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Goncalo Guedes (PSG), and former Fiorentina and AC Milan star Rui Costa.
SL Benfica holds the record for most domestic league titles, and this year the club is looking to bring home the Primeira trophy for the fourth consecutive time and raise their tally to an impressive 36 titles.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PROSPECTS TO DEVELOP THEIR INDIVIDUAL SKILLS
Joâo Santos, head of SL Benfica‘s youth academy, has incorporated the m-station rebounder into daily training sessions. Joâo has no doubt that the m-station plays a crucial role in the development of players at the academy.
“The m-station provides an opportunity for young prospects to develop their individual skills. It’s a versatile tool allowing players to develop individually and as a team, regardless of age or position on the field. From goalkeeper to striker; anything, really.”
The academy at Benfica utilizes the Talent Club and Pro (Academy) editions of the m-station, both of which offer adjustable angles, a large net surface, and much more, ultimately providing a unique training experience suited for player development.
“The m-station returns the ball with different pace from different angles, depending on the pass from the player, which strengthens the development of the player’s individual skills.”
In the upcoming years, watch out for José Gomes, Luka Jovic, André Horta, Andrija Zivkovic, Ze Gomes, and Pedro Pereira—all promising prospects currently unfolding at the SL Benfica training grounds, improving every day with the m-station.
Improve your volley finishing with the m-station rebounder
A well-executed volley is one of the most beautiful sights in football. Learn how to approach and hit a volley through these 3 drills to look like the pros. These drills are available on the MuninPlay app, which you can use to track your performance and improve at home in your very own yard.
HOW TO STRIKE THE PERFECT VOLLEY
Hitting a volley is difficult, but if done properly, the goalkeeper stands a very small chance of stopping the ball. Due to the ball’s movement in the air, a volley can be extremely powerful and almost impossible to manage for a keeper.
When hitting the ball, point your toes to the ground. Try to kick the ball during its upward movement and not downwards. Lastly, hit with power!
1. THROUGH-BALL VOLLEY FINISH
Bouncing through-balls can be difficult to handle without the right technique. If you are close to the goal, striking a fast volley is a good option if you want to make a powerful bending shot while wrong-footing the keeper. Start off with your right foot.
Step 1: Throw the ball at the m-station net using an overhead toss
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net and over your head
Step 3: Make a 180° turn and hit a right-footed volley after the ball bounces off the ground once
Repeat and then practice with the other foot. Use the MuninPlay app to keep track of your progress.
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
2. HALF-VOLLEY FINISH
Striking a traditional volley is something that happens on rare occasion only. However, you are likely to encounter a half-volley opportunity at some point during a game or training session. To practice your half-volley finishing, start this drill with your right foot.
Step 1: Throw the ball at the rebounder using an overhead toss, and move your feet to prepare to receive the ball
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the ground once
Step 3: Strike the ball before it bounces a second time
Repeat the drill and practice with the other foot. (You cannot choose where the ball is going to bounce in a real game, so you must be prepared to strike with either foot.)
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
3. VOLLEY FINISH
Although it is rare, the ball sometimes comes directly at you mid-air, and you must be prepared execute a traditional volley. The clean strike of a volley is an amazing feeling, but it is hard to execute properly. Throw the ball at the rebounder (preferably set at an angle 100 – 150°) and prepare to strike the ball.
Step 1: Throw the ball at the rebounder using an overhead toss, and move your feet to prepare to receive the ball
Step 2: Allow the ball to bounce off the net and strike it towards your target before the ball ever touches the ground
Practice with the rebounder set at different angles, and practice with both feet.
Difficulty: 2 out of 3
If you are looking to practice your finishing even further, visit our YouTube channel to find more drills.
GQ Magazine: “The best pass-returning training device – just ask Real Madrid…”
International magazine GQ has compiled a list of the best football-training equipment for 2017—a list that features our very own m-station football rebounder.
Also featuring equipment such as boots, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, footballs, and more, GQ identifies the Munin Sports rebounder as the best the market has to offer:
The best pass-returning training device – just ask Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, etc.
The GQ article sums up the must-buy football training equipment for 2017, introducing the reader to a series of new gear and gadgets to improve your performance on the pitch.
ABOUT THE M-STATION TALENT CLUB REBOUNDER
The Talent Club edition of the m-station is a modified and improved version of the Talent Original rebounder, which is designed for backyard use. The Talent Club is specifically designed for daily training at football clubs and academies.
In comparison to the average rebounder, both editions provide a larger net surface, and they both offer the best rebound effect in the market, more angles, and an aluminum construction for greater durability in all types of weather conditions.
Winter has come, and for many of us that means a much-needed break from rigorous football training. But take a minute to read this before you move too far away from the pitch; it’s often a risky decision to avoid training altogether during winter.
Winter means cold weather and lots of rain. Neither of those things makes training very pleasant. Still, the offseason is an important time in your preparations for the upcoming season. Training during this time can help prevent injuries from occurring when you start playing competitive matches again. We spoke with one of the best youth-football coaches in Denmark, Carsten Dohm, who has experience with FC Nordsjælland and Brøndby IF.
“In the old days, long breaks were perfectly normal. But it’s different now that we are spending more time on training than ever. Football has become a different game. Players train 4 or 5 days per week. You can’t train that much and then stop training altogether for a while, and then go back to normal. That would certainly result in injuries. On the other hand, you can’t go on with 4 or 5 days [of training per week] all year, so it’s all about finding the right balance. It’s about maintaining your physical fitness; otherwise the risk of injury will increase,”
Carsten Dohm recently joined the Chinese team Shanghai SIPG, which also employs another Dane, Mads Davidsen, as assistant coach. Carsten acts as a Technical Consultant at the club, which also recently signed Brazilian superstars Hulk and Oscar from Chelsea FC.
“There are many ways to keep up one’s physical fitness, and winter training doesn’t have to solely consist of football. Other sports can play a role”,
says Carsten Dohm.
“Personally, I’m a fan of creating variety by combining winter training and football with other sports. That could include anything from fitness training to boxing to crossfit. There are many elements of other activities that can make you evolve as a football player. Crossfit can boost your movement in free spaces, whereas strength training with machines and traditional methods might make you feel more boxed in. Crossfit is a form of strength training that takes place in a free space, so it will help you improve physically and it will also improve your mobility. And football is a free sport; it’s not rigid, so those functional movements can make a huge difference.”
Self-discipline and a partner are the keys to winter training
Many football players know how it feels to enter a new season and struggle with getting that perfect touch back. But if you practice your ball control throughout the winter, you’ll have an advantage when facing opponents during the season. Carsten Dohm admits that it can be useful to have a partner for such training (and that partner could even be the m-station football rebounder), but a partner isn’t the only ingredient necessary for an effective winter of self-training.
“It requires that you have something to measure against, but a good amount of self-discipline is also necessary. You should motivate yourself and be persistent with training, even when it feels tedious; otherwise you won’t get anywhere. And a training partner will make it more enjoyable, whether it’s a teammate or an m-station. With the m-station you can actually double the number of exercises you can do alone. The m-station serves passes to you, which opens up many training possibilities, so it’s a great tool to develop your technique.”
The m-station from Munin Sports can certainly be useful for self-training, and not just in the winter period.
“I think it’s a tool for the whole year, and it’s an important tool. The new models (Basic, Original, Club og Academy Ed.) provide a new world of possibilities, as they are now easier to move around on the field.”
In addition to his roles as a coach and a consultant, Carsten Dohm has been an instructor at DBU’s Coach Education and an organizer at DGI’s Coach Education. He is also a Talent Manager at Hørsholm Usserød.
How to improve during winter without team training sessions
During the cold winter months, it gets dark early and football pitches are not in playable condition. Team training sessions are more likely to be cancelled due to snow, frost, and wind, so ambitious young footballers have to find alternative ways to train their technical skills.
We asked young Danish holding midfielder talent, Marcus from Lyngby BK, about this issue.
“Sometimes the team training session is cancelled due to bad weather. At times like that, it’s just really nice to be able to go out in your backyard and practice with a rebounder.”
It’s extremely demanding on your body to spend 2-3 months performing only physical training, and without some technical training during that time, most players will feel rusty once they get back on the pitch in spring.
“I use the m-station football rebounder multiple times per week all year round, possibly even more during winter. It gets dark earlier and becomes harder to play ball outside, but my dad bought me a couple of lamps so I can play regardless of the hour of day.“
Marcus uses the m-station in winter to develop his technical skills despite bad weather conditions. Instead of running and doing push-ups, he improves his skills through multiple drills using the rebounder.
“I mostly use the rebounder for passes, first touches, and other areas of ball control. Sometimes I even use it as a free-kick wall so I can practice free kicks.”
The benefit of being able to train by yourself
The versatility of the rebounder is what Marcus loves most about the m-station product. You don’t need to depend on other people to play with you, but if other players would like to join you, it only adds to the fun.
“With the m-station, you can play by yourself. It’s like having a friend to play with. But the rebounder is also fun to use with other players. You can challenge each other and push your limits.”
But the rebounder is by no means a toy; it’s a serious tool for development regardless of your position on the field. It allows you to work on anything you need to improve.
“You can practice quick feet and quick thinking, and for me, as a DM (Defensive Midfielder), I use it to practice low passes and turning with the ball, which I do a lot in my position, but you can also practice plenty of other stuff appropriate for other positions.”
Marcus has already noticed the results of using the m-station. He feels more confident both in training sessions and in competitive games.
“[Training with the m-station] has given me more confidence when I make and receive passes. I keep getting better at receiving the ball, regardless of how hard it is to control the ball. My accuracy and my ability to quickly move and react are also steadily improving.”
Marcus recommends the m-station for winter usage.
“My control of the ball is continuously getting better. The m-station rebounder is an especially convenient tool during winter, as it helps you stay in shape during the holidays and when training sessions are cancelled.”
