In football, the pre-training or pre-match warm-up is a set of physical and mental exercises designed to prepare the player for the effort ahead. It’s not just about warming up the muscles, but also about waking up the body, activating the nervous system, focusing the mind, and preventing injuries. A well-designed activation routine allows the

In football, as in life, statistics tell part of the story, but not all of it. A key pass, a recovery in the opponent’s half, or an off-the-ball movement that drags a defender away and frees space for a teammate often go unnoticed by traditional metrics. However, it’s these small decisions that can change the

Fatigue is a physiological and psychological condition that occurs when the body and mind reach a state of exhaustion after prolonged or intense effort. Although it is part of the natural adaptation process to training, if not properly managed, it can directly cause underperformance, injury, and even a lack of motivation in athletes. In football,

When we talk about the success of a professional footballer, people often think of talent or mentality. But beyond that, there is a daily physical and technical routine that is the real key to performance. At SIA Academy players adopt habits that replicate the professional life of elite footballers. Here are the most effective daily

In modern football, one of the most complex and decisive roles is that of the defensive pivot. This player operates just ahead of the defensive line, and their main function is to balance the team: protect the central zone, organize the build-up, cut counterattacks, and give fluidity to the game. The defensive pivot is, essentially,

In the final days of July, the Chile U-20 national team carried out an intense training camp at SIA Academy in Valencia, Spain. The objective was clear: fine-tune tactics, reinforce team concepts, and arrive in top condition for the prestigious international tournament COTIF 2025. The coaching staff opted for a short but highly focused stay.

Nutrition is one of the most important—and often underestimated—keys to a footballer’s physical performance. Beyond training and rest, the foods a player consumes on a daily basis directly impact their energy, focus, recovery, and injury prevention. At SIA Academy, nutrition is an integral part of the work done with players, from young talents in development

Saudi Arabia’s U‑20 national team chose the facilities of SIA Academy in Enguera as their official training base to prepare for the prestigious COTIF 2025 International Tournament, held in L’Alcúdia (Valencia) from July 20 to 30. The Saudi youth team opted for a high-performance and private environment in the interior of Valencia to fine-tune every

A microcycle is a weekly training unit in football, usually made up of 7 days, that allows coaches to strategically organize and distribute physical, technical, tactical, and mental loads. During this period, training is adjusted so that players arrive in peak condition on match day. This high-performance concept is a fundamental part of the training

Mental habits are repeated thought patterns and behaviors that shape the way we act, feel, and make decisions. In professional football, these habits become decisive, as they not only influence performance on the pitch but also determine a player’s ability to handle pressure, overcome mistakes, and maintain a winning mindset. Contrary to what many believe,