General
How long should a cognitive training session last?
We have been incorporating cognitive training for many years, particularly in individual training but also in group and team training. For targeted cognitive individual and small group training, a session duration of approximately 45-60 minutes once or twice a week is recommended. During these sessions, the primary focus is on brain training following an individual warm-up program. Since the training does not include extended breaks, even highly skilled players experience mental fatigue, andSome readersHow does COGNIGOALS training differ from other cognitive training methods?
The COGNIGOALS training combines physically demanding movements with cognitive tasks. The exercises build upon each other, allowing for progressive performance development. To the best of our knowledge, this combination is unique. As a motor-cognitive training program, we believe that the brain of our players is best trained through exercises with and without the ball. In addition, we incorporate other COGNIGOALS-specific, clever training approaches that we explain in detail in our modules. HoSome readersHow do I manage training intensity, difficulty level, and learning speed?
Our exercises can be incredibly challenging and mentally exhausting even for experienced players, especially at the beginning. At the same time, however, this makes many of our exercises so appealing to players, who, after some time, look forward more and more to new challenges in training and enjoy mastering one exercise after another! The exercises should be used in a way that constantly pushes the players to the limit of their abilities and a little beyond, without overwhelming them. This isSome readersAt what age is the COGNIGOALS Training recommended?
There is no such thing as "too young" or "too old" for cognitive training; the idea is "the earlier, the better." However, the age of six years is the earliest starting age for our motor-cognitive training. Keep in mind the learning pace always depends on the current status of a player's motor-cognitive abilities and their prior experiences. Especially for very young players, it's advisable to incorporate exercises into the training in a simple and playful manner.Some readersWhat should I do if the players are making little or no progress?
It can happen from time to time that players make little or no progress at the beginning or even during the modules. In such cases, it is important to analyze the training of the current exercises to understand the reasons behind the lack of progress. Often, this can be attributed to both motor and cognitive difficulties. In the coaching points provided in the "Playbook" of each exercise, we address the most common challenges and sources of errors. It is crucial to break down the exercises inFew readersWhat is the unique selling point of COGNIGOALS training?
When other coaches observe our training sessions, they are often impressed by our unique combination of exercises with and without the ball, which are intentionally and effectively integrated. The individual exercises are designed to continually challenge and train the brains of our players, enabling them to find the best possible solutions through cognitive excellence, even under intense pressure from opponents and time constraints in tight spaces, all while relying on genuine two-footedness duFew readersWhat are the advantages of COGNIGOALS training?
COGNIGOALS training offers numerous advantages, particularly in significantly improving the players' two-footedness, game intelligence, and creativity. In terms of conducting training sessions, a major advantage is that apart from our players, the ball (and occasionally a few cones), no additional equipment is required, making the training extremely simple to set up and execute.Few readersWhy is COGNIGOALS training only available online?
In today's world, online courses are the best way to make innovative learning content accessible to as many coaches as possible worldwide, in a simple and effective manner. Anyone can engage with the content at their own pace, from anywhere in the world, and then apply it in their own training practice.Few readersHow much time does it take to work through the modules?
Depending on prior knowledge and abilities, working through and then especially trying out and learning a single exercise can take up to about an hour or longer. The average duration to grasp a single module can therefore be around 2 months. The main goal of each module and the entire course is the application of the exercises, i.e. in practical training.Few readersHow many players can I train simultaneously in a training group?
The fewer players and the more coaches, the better. In order to work effectively, a coach should not train more than 8-12 players simultaneously. Ideally, individual training is the way to go.Few readersIs a coaching license or other qualifications in football required to properly teach these modules?
Coaching licenses and practical experience as a football coach can be highly beneficial in delivering the individual modules. However, they are not mandatory requirements for participating in our courses. It is important, despite any experience, for coaches to approach our modules and exercises with an open mind to new training ideas and be willing to implement them consistently in their own training practice.Few readersWhat do I do when my player gets "stuck" during an exercise?
If a player is unable to fully master an exercise even after multiple attempts and various coaching tips, this is completely normal. At the beginning of cognitive training and with particularly challenging exercises, it may take several training sessions before mastering an exercise completely. As a coach, it is important for us to closely observe the challenges our players face in order to provide the most effective support. Nevertheless, it is equally important to introduce other exercises orFew readersWhat are the prerequisites for our courses?
Our courses require a strong interest in cognitive training and a willingness to embrace new, unusual ways with full focus and wholeheartedness, and to follow them through consistently step by step.Few readersHow do I implement cognitive training with a larger group of players?
When conducting cognitive training with a larger group of players, it is advisable to form several smaller groups from within the larger group, depending on their performance level. Additionally, more skilled players from the group can assist those who take a little longer to complete an exercise, acting as co-trainers. These co-trainers can be effectively utilized within smaller groups as well. Players who grasp an exercise quickly can help those who struggle with it, and this assistance may vaFew readersIs COGNIGOALS training easy?
That is definitely not the case. The majority of players, even those playing at a very high level, still find COGNIGOALS training to be very challenging.Few readersWhat kind of equipment is needed?
This is what makes COGNIGOALS so brilliant - normally, all you need is a ball and an area about 20x30 meters in size.Few readersCan professional players skip exercises or entire modules?
It is not advisable for professional players to skip individual exercises or even entire modules, as they are the result of our over 20 years of training experience and are systematically built upon a clear learning structure.Few readersWhat kind of support does COGNIGOALS provide in "conquering" the courses?
COGNIGOALS courses provide a wealth of support for the exercises (including instructional videos, interactivity, exercise descriptions, scientific background with a glossary, quizzes, and certificates) to successfully master the courses. However, it is still necessary to thoroughly engage with these materials and gain as much practical experience as possible with the exercises. We do not provide 1:1 assistance with individual exercises, but will continuously improve the courses based on user feFew readersWhat do I do when players fail and become frustrated during training?
Good players usually face little failure in training, but with our exercises and the right training intensity, they regularly reach their limits. There are some fundamental strategies to manage this as a coach. First and foremost, it is important to constantly remind our players that mistakes are an integral part of our training. Failure is a part of the learning process, and every execution of an exercise has important training effects, whether it was successful or not. Furthermore, it isFew readersHow long should the rest period between sessions be?
In one-on-one practice sessions, particularly those centered on motor-cognitive training in football, the ideal rest period between sessions may vary based on the workout's intensity and the individual's capacity for recovery. Generally, a minimum rest period of 24 hours is advised to facilitate both physical and mental recuperation. Monitoring the athlete's reaction to training is crucial, including observing signs of fatigue, assessing performance levels, and evaluating overall well-being, toFew readers
COGNIGOALS Football Coach
Who is the COGNIGOALS Football Coach course for?
We have created this course for all coaches who want to achieve a competitive advantage for themselves and their players. The course is applicable to all age and performance levels. This includes, for example, the entire youth sector, semi-professional and of course professional players. COGNIGOALS makes everyone better!Some readersHow long after the start of the first module will players achieve noticeable learning progress?
The time it takes for players to achieve noticeable learning progress varies from player to player. Some players experience rapid improvements and even begin to notice significant enhancements in their weaker foot during games. For instance, we had a player who we trained in a larger group the previous year, and within a few weeks, they started regularly scoring goals at a higher level using their weaker foot. However, for the majority of players, it will likely take until at least the middle ofFew readersWhat happens after Module 1 to 3?
The COGNIGOALS Football Coach L2 consists of modules 4 to 8, which will be released for purchase gradually.Few readersI'm a player - can I purchase the Football Coach course as well?
Our Football Coach modules are designed for coaches, a course offering for players is in preparation.Few readersCan I skip the "Exercises without a Ball"?
Exercises without a ball are an essential "ingredient" of our motor-cognitive learning concept and offer the advantage that Novel Movement Patterns are internalized so that new movement components and additional tasks can subsequently be integrated into the training. They must not be skipped.Few readersIs the training football training?
It is essential to always remember that our training is specific brain training for football, but not football training itself (which also explains the nature of the exercises). It is crucial not mix it up with technical training, but rather keep these two separate. Our training serves as a highly effective foundation, enabling you to excel in football-specific aspects during regular training sessions. The exercises actively shape the players' brains (neuroplasticity being a key factor), alFew readers
The Science
Are the methods used in this training scientifically proven and confirmed?
Many mechanisms of the applied methods have already been scientifically proven and are extensively documented in the glossary with references to relevant literature. Additionally, both the trainers who utilize this methodology and the players who regularly undergo this training affirm its effectiveness. However, it is important to acknowledge that motor-cognitive training should not be viewed as a cure-all and may not yield the same results for everyone orFew readersHow does this training work and what neural processes occur in the brain during it?
The COGNIGOALS training methodology is thoroughly described in individual modules that are specifically designed to build upon one another. In each module and for every exercise, you will find a detailed description of the training. The effects and goals of the training vary in each module and in many exercises. Consequently, the effects on a neural level also differ. Generally speaking, motor-cognitive training stimulates neural activity in various brain regions, which can lead to neurophysiolFew readersAre there studies confirming the positive effects of COGNIGOALS training?
To date, there have been only testimonials from trainers and players who have regularly applied the COGNIGOALS training program. These accounts have reported extremely positive effects, and the method has been further developed over the years. Currently, an 8-week intervention study has been conducted and is currently in the evaluation phase.Few readers