Football in the UK is more than just a spectator sport; it’s a national pastime. According to the Football Association, a staggering 8.2 million people in this country play football, at least occasionally. Football is a vibrant part of our national culture, but also a top-notch way of getting in shape.
The popular sport is a full-body workout, one that increases your strength, stamina, and exercises almost every part of your body. That’s why starting your own 5-a-side football team may turn out to be one of the best decisions you can make. Here’s how you can get in shape and bond with your friends by starting your own football team.
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Find Your Players
The first step is finding the right people to play with. You might want to start by asking your friends and coworkers if any of them are interested. Chances are you’ll find some people who are keen to give it a go, especially when you point out the list of health benefits for football players. If you’d rather meet new people or don’t think your mates will be up for it, check local Facebook groups and Gumtree ads to see if there are any team vacancies.
Drum Up Some Interest
5-a-side football is best enjoyed when you go all in. If you need to drum up some interest to get your mates involved, start doing some research and watching more matches so that you can talk about all of the latest developments in the world of football. A good place to start is football betting, as this will let you see what the community is thinking about the latest football developments. Equally, this will help you keep up with all of the latest developments in the Premier League and local leagues so that you can generate some interest in the sport next time you’re with your potential teammates.
Find the Right Facilities
The days where you could just pick a random patch of grass and start playing are long gone. Even agreeing to play at your local park can be a pain, as there is no guarantee that space will be available every time you want to play. Luckily, there are countless football pitches, both indoor and outdoor, across the UK that you can book for free at a set time every week. Use a platform like Pitchfinder to find your nearest one. Just check to make sure your choice of a facility is within easy reach of everyone on your team.
Establish a Schedule
The rules here are the same as going to the gym. If you don’t commit to a regular routine, it will fizzle out eventually. Make sure that your team meets once a week or once a fortnight, at least; otherwise, you are unlikely actually to see the many potential health and fitness benefits materialize. Allow some room for flexibility, since everyone has their own lives, but try and be firm about the need to meet for a match on a regular basis.
Now that you’ve got all your ducks in a row, the only thing left to do is play! 5-a-side football is a brilliant way to socialize and get in shape at the same time, so don’t waste any time getting started.
