We are excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Mobility Online Course—made to help footballers and athletes improve their movement efficiency, reduce stiffness, and minimize injury risk.
Mobility is the foundation of peak athletic performance, allowing you to move freely, react faster, and execute every movement with greater control.
Coach Florian Teatiu will guide you through the online course
This course provides a practical, structured approach to mobility training, helping you unlock a greater range of motion, improve flexibility, and build the joint strength needed to perform at your best. Whether you’re a young player, an experienced athlete, or a coach looking to implement better movement strategies, this course delivers everything you need to elevate your game.
What’s Inside the Course?
- 30 Progressive Mobility Drills – From foundational exercises for beginners to advanced routines for elite athletes.
- Football-Specific Training – Tailored for the demands of the sport but beneficial for all athletes.
- Detailed Coaching Points – Every drill is broken down with key insights for proper execution.
- Train Anytime, Anywhere – Perfect for home workouts, training sessions, or team practice.
- Lifelong Access – Learn at your own pace with unlimited access after purchase.
- Entry to the Tanner Speed Community – Connect with other athletes and coaches for ongoing guidance.
View Our Mobility Online Course here
Why Football Players Lose Mobility and How to Maintain It
Mobility is the foundation of every movement in football. From quick turns and explosive sprints to sharp changes in direction, a player's ability to move freely and efficiently directly impacts their performance. However, as players get older, many notice a decline in mobility—movements feel less fluid, stiffness sets in more easily, and injuries become more frequent.
This loss of mobility is not just a natural part of aging but also a consequence of years of intense physical activity, injuries, and inadequate recovery. Understanding why this happens and how to counteract it is essential for any footballer looking to maintain performance and longevity in the game.
Belgium National Team during a Pre-Match Mobility Routine (Photo: Maksim Konstantinov / Shutterstock.com)
Children Move Freely—What Changes Over Time?
As children, movement comes naturally. Kids squat, twist, and run without restriction, demonstrating flexibility and joint mobility without even thinking about it. Their bodies are still developing, with soft, pliable tissues and a high capacity for adaptation.
However, as players grow older and specialize in football, their movement patterns become more repetitive. Training focuses on specific skills, often at the expense of general mobility work. Add in hours of sitting at school, work, or in front of screens, and the body gradually loses the flexibility and fluidity it once had.
By the time players reach their late 20s and 30s, these small limitations start to add up, impacting performance, increasing stiffness, and making injuries more likely.
How to Maintain Mobility and Stay Sharp on the Pitch
While the effects of aging and years of football cannot be reversed, mobility can be preserved and even improved with the right approach. Strength training is essential for maintaining stability, particularly in the lower body and core, as exercises like lunges, squats, and deadlifts help preserve muscle mass and protect joints. Regular mobility drills—including dynamic stretches, joint rotations, and football-specific movements like deep lunges and hip openers—are key to keeping movement fluid and unrestricted.
Mobility training is not just crucial for aging players but also highly beneficial at a young age. As already stated, children naturally have a greater range of motion, but as they grow and their training becomes more structured, they can begin to lose the flexibility and fluidity they once had.
Introducing mobility exercises early helps develop better movement patterns, reduces the risk of imbalances, and builds a foundation that supports athletic performance in the long term. Young players who incorporate mobility work alongside their technical and strength training are more likely to maintain agility, avoid stiffness, and stay injury-free as they progress in their careers.
Mobility is an important aspect to longevity in modern sports. The more freely you move, the sharper you play, and the fewer injuries you face.
- Carsten Effertz - Head of Tanner Speed Academy
Mobility is a vital yet frequently neglected aspect of football performance, and while natural aging and years of intense play take a toll on the body, footballers who prioritize mobility work can continue moving freely well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. By integrating mobility training into their routine, players can reduce stiffness, lower injury risk, and sustain a high level of performance for years to come.
