Top 3 Tips For Better Sleep To Boost Your Football Performance

Hey everyone! As a coach who’s spent years on the pitch and in the world of football, I can’t stress enough how important good sleep is for performance, both in training and during games. Recently, the FA released new guidelines on how athletes can improve their sleep for better performance, and I want to share my top 3 tips with you all.

Tip 1: Spot the Signs of Poor Sleep

First off, it’s important to recognise when your sleep isn't up to par. If you’re feeling easily frustrated, stressed, or tired throughout the day, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough rest. Lack of energy to train or even make healthy food choices is another big indicator. In short, poor sleep impacts everything—from your performance on the pitch to your overall mood.

Tip 2: Understand Why Sleep Is So Important

Sleep isn’t just about getting rest—it’s where your body and brain do some of their most important work. During deep sleep, your brain processes everything you’ve learned that day, whether it’s a new skill you’ve practised during your exercises or how to react in a match situation. During REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, your brain is still developing and helping you stay creative and sharp. Simply put, sleep plays a massive role in how well you perform on the pitch and off.

Tip 3: Avoid What Messes With Your Sleep

We all know it can be tempting to stay up late gaming, scrolling through social media, or catching that late-night match. But, did you know the blue light from screens can trick your brain into thinking it's still daytime? This makes it way harder to wind down and get the sleep you need. Late nights from training or watching football can also throw your sleep schedule off. To ensure you’re well-rested, try setting a sleep routine that allows you to get a full night’s sleep before your next session or match.

Conclusion

At Go Football Academy, we don’t just focus on what happens on the pitch. It’s just as important to focus on how well you sleep to perform your best! By improving your sleep, you’re giving your body and brain the tools it needs to excel. Make small changes, like reducing screen time before bed and creating a peaceful sleep environment, and watch your football performance improve.

Hope these tips help! Let me know in the comments if you’d like more tips on performance, training, or football in general!