The Dynamic Soccer Player Gateway to Greatness
Harnessing Chi Power

As the new season dawns, each and every soccer player relies upon a coach or managers organisational skills and training methods in preparation for a successful season. With the ultimate goal to produce 11 players performing at the peak of their abilities week after week, and creating total unity and supreme confidence throughout the team.

In the perfect world this is a dream scenario.

However, in reality trying to achieve this consistancy throughout the season can be a daunting task, when exposed to various outside pressures that can take their toll emotionally and physically. Pressures that can materialise in the form of injuries, fatigue, unsettled players, and personal problems etc.

From a amateur standpoint, many of you reading this will presently be engaged with soccer at either a recreational or semi professional level. With careers or jobs in some occupation or another. And therefore your focus and energy when playing regularly, can be drastically reduced with time restraints and work commitments etc.

For English premiership players or professional soccer players in general, there can be different kinds of pressure. Such as the intrusion of media attention, interviews, and attending functions and commitments for endorsements etc. Distractions that can have a detrimental effect on performance at some stage or another, and hinder progress for the individual and the team in general.

Yet what if there was a system of training that could not only help you sustain high energy levels, but also improve each and every aspect of your game immensely on a physical, metal and even spiritual level.


Qi Gong (Chi Kung) is such a a system and when applied properly can be a players ace in the hole, for those looking for a competitive edge.

What is Qi Gong ?

Qi Gong stands for ’energy work’ and is an ancient form of exercise that is thought to have originated in China over 2500 years ago through Neigong, a martial art that conditioned the mind to resist blows to the body.

Since then it has evolved into many different styles, incompassing a variety of techniques ranging from relaxing the mind and body, combating illness, personal and spiritual development, as well as increasing muscle power and endurance.

To better understand how Qi Gong can benefit the soccer player and without going into to much detail, it is important to get some idea of how universal energy combines with the mind and body.

First of all, Qi is an energy or lifeforce, that determines and controls all life forms including movements, thoughts, growth and actions. And is even responsible for the creation and behavior of the earth and other planets.

This energy has existed since time began, even before the universe was created, and therefore the human body is an immense ball of energy.

The human body apart from composing of muscle, bones and internal organs, also comprises of 7 specific energy centres, that are pinpointed throughout the full length of the body. These centres are situated in major locations such as the head, throat, heart, abdominals, groin and feet, and interconnect by way of meridian lines that supply and transport Qi for balance and replenishment to the body constantly.

These energy meridians are also invisible to microscopes, x-rays, and scans, and can only prove their existence through the practice of Acupuncture discovered by physicians many thousands of years ago.

Unfortunatly for a huge majority of the worlds population, these meridian lines become blocked and limit the flow of qi to vital parts of the body. This is mainly due to stress, bad posture, fatigue, injuries and many other problems associated with a modern lifestyle, and lead to all kinds of other deseases such as lethargy, depression, prolonged healing and heart problems, to name but a few.

To fully maximise the production of qi energy and to keep the meridian lines unblocked involves a methodical and dedicated approach, that includes controlled breathing, movement patterns, and meditation. In the form of exercises that help reunite internal and external energy sources.

These exercises require great discipline both physically and mentally as described earlier, that enable the muscles and body to work at full capacity. This provides more oxygen to the heart, that in turn aids better blood circulation suppliying vital organs.

At an advanced level many exponents of qi gong especially martial artists, regularly experience an energy charge very much like a electro magnetic force field. With a feeling of weightlessness that helps them adapt to the most physical of demands.

With the right application this will do exactly the same for any soccer player regardles of age or ability.

Qi Gong stands for ’energy work’ and is an ancient form of exercise that is thought to have originated in China over 2500 years ago through Neigong, a martial art that conditioned the mind to resist blows to the body.

Since then it has evolved into many different styles, incompassing a variety of techniques ranging from relaxing the mind and body, combating illness, personal and spiritual development, as well as increasing muscle power and endurance.

To better understand how Qi Gong can benefit the soccer player and without going into to much detail, it is important to get some idea of how universal energy combines with the mind and body.

First of all, Qi is an energy or lifeforce, that determines and controls all life forms including movements, thoughts, growth and actions. And is even responsible for the creation and behavior of the earth and other planets.

This energy has existed since time began, even before the universe was created, and therefore the human body is an immense ball of energy.

The human body apart from composing of muscle, bones and internal organs, also comprises of 7 specific energy centres, that are pinpointed throughout the full length of the body. These centres are situated in major locations such as the head, throat, heart, abdominals, groin and feet, and interconnect by way of meridian lines that supply and transport Qi for balance and replenishment to the body constantly.

These energy meridians are also invisible to microscopes, x-rays, and scans, and can only prove their existence through the practice of Acupuncture discovered by physicians many thousands of years ago.

Unfortunatly for a huge majority of the worlds population, these meridian lines become blocked and limit the flow of qi to vital parts of the body. This is mainly due to stress, bad posture, fatigue, injuries and many other problems associated with a modern lifestyle, and lead to all kinds of other deseases such as lethargy, depression, prolonged healing and heart problems, to name but a few.

To fully maximise the production of qi energy and to keep the meridian lines unblocked involves a methodical and dedicated approach, that includes controlled breathing, movement patterns, and meditation. In the form of exercises that help reunite internal and external energy sources.

These exercises require great discipline both physically and mentally as described earlier, that enable the muscles and body to work at full capacity. This provides more oxygen to the heart, that in turn aids better blood circulation suppliying vital organs.

At an advanced level many exponents of qi gong especially martial artists, regularly experience an energy charge very much like a electro magnetic force field. With a feeling of weightlessness that helps them adapt to the most physical of demands.

With the right application this will do exactly the same for any soccer player regardles of age or ability.

The Benefits of Qi Gong for Soccer

As just mentioned, Qi Gong can be an invaluable addition to any soccer players existing training programme, and you can notice a vast improvement within a very short space of time. Noticeably an increase in energy levels, better rhythm, self control and balance, enabling each individual soccer player to perform and execute soccer moves with smoothness and stability.

Once a high level has been attained, Qi Gong enables players to become far lighter on their feet, with more power and speed, in addition to being more in control of their actions when under pressure or going in for tackles.

This helps significantly in reducing injuries, not only to themselves but opposition soccer players as well.

Therefore Qi Gong can play a major role in every soccer players development at a recreational or professional level, and should form an integaral part of any soccer foundation or grass roots scheme.

Europes top teams would benefit immensely, with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid players evolving, to make soccer an even greater spectacle on the world stage. Even setting new standards in the Scottish Soccer leagues, to once again make Celtic Football Club and Glasgow Rangers FC the force they were in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

The Success of QI Gong in other Sports

Qi Gong can also work alongside Ballistics.

But just like Ballistics Qi gong also tends to be neglected in most sports especially soccer, and is mostly limited to the martial arts world and small factions of other sports mainly in the US.

However the practice of Qi Gong in sport related activities is gaining momentum, even if at the moment it tends to be in a minority, and the reports have been very positive.

Taking golf as an example, there are golfers who have managed to increase their drive range by up to 50 yards, and even blind golfers who have achieved relatively high standards, by helping them concentrate on the process rather than the outcome.

Another little unknown fact is that Qi gong helped Tiger Woods develop his huge swing, by practicing it with his father when he was young !!

Even Soccer which has yet to integrate Qi Gong properly, has reaped incredible benefits, and none more so than the case of Lee Holden.

Lee was a semi professional soccer player in the US, and picked up a serious back injury while playing. So bad was the injury that physicians told him that it was unlikely he would ever set foot on a soccer pitch again as a competitive athlete. But by turning to Qi gong Lee made a miraculous recovery within the space of 4 -5 weeks and returned to the soccer field successfully.

He now demonstrates the power of Qi gong with his own TV programme !


So if the idea of becoming an insatiable soccer player in both fitness and performance appeals to you. Qi Gong cannot be underestimated, and its impact as a training tool can be huge.

It can open up an unlimited array of possibilities in generating untapped potential, and assist you in becoming the player you know you can be, transforming average players to above average, and gifted players to invincible !!

Footnote

Finally its worth mentioning that Qi Gong takes a certain amount of dedication, and is not a discipline you perform occasionally. And like anything else worth doing, it takes application on a daily basis to make it work, accepting that Qi energy is real and a total belief in the system.

Remember, Qi energy is abundant in all life forms, but is never properly utilised to its full potential, and denies many sportsmen and women the health and performance benefits it can bring.

Every soccer player can easily achieve more than what they are, and its main key to success is psychological application and attitude.

In the beginning Qi Gong is sure to test a soccer players resolve and will need peserverence. But Once this is mastered the world can virtually be your oyster, and contribute enormously in creating a new paradign in soccer !!

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