Get Scouted as an Un-Athletic Footballer

Check out My Speed Program: www.become-elite.com/collecti...
Premier League Study: www.sciencedirect.com/science...
Training Programs: www.become-elite.com/collecti...
1-on-1 Zoom Call with Me: www.become-elite.com/collecti...
Follow Me on Instagram: / mattsheldon23
Follow Me on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@become_elite?...
Follow My Podcast: / @againstalloddspodcast...
About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 30
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: Hartford Athletic
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: Charleston Battery
Previous Teams: FC Tulsa, Tulsa Roughnecks, Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[@moyadigg]

1. Find your “thing” ( things like anticipation, dribbling, leadership etc.) 2:39 2. Use your first touch 3:34 3. Off the ball movement 6:12 4. Change of pace and/or direction or action 7:19 5. Body between the ball and man 9:15 6. Understand and Set up faster guys 10:41 7. Train to get faster 12:12

[@jarvissamaro1010]

Thank you so much

[@Noah-ye1wh]

Thansk mate :)

[@jamesshen579]

Read game, keep scanning, quicker decision

[@joshlin4376]

really like it

[@RayyanTheRazorSharp]

dribbling is my thing, i have mediocore off theball movements an impressive first touch good change of pace and good direction change, i have good passing too but i cant train i dont have any equipment or a friend to help, what position should i be?

[@oskarxjansson]

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you Matt 🙏 I’ve been watching you since I was a kid and still do even now as a professional player. From your very early Germany days until today, you have been one of the greatest sources of inspiration in my career, both in pursuing a football career and starting my own KZbin-channel. Tomorrow it’s been a year since I made my professional debut and yesterday I hit 1000 subscribers on my channel. A lot of this is thanks to you and the inspiration and motivation you have provided over several years of my life ❤ Thanks Matt

[@BecomeElite]

Amazing, bro. So happy that I can help play a very small part in all your success. Keep working, bro 🙌🏼

[@2tonedomi]

What team are you in?

[@oskarxjansson]

@@2tonedomi Vänersborgs IF, currently out at the moment with a hamstring injury though 😕

[@x.x-_-x.x]

Do one for players with no stamina like me please

[@rafsanrahman3951]

Probably next year I’ll play in europe

[@Maxtiger-iq5mc]

Good luck

[@Twinnn10]

Same bro🤲🏿

[@arindammajumdar5228]

Good luck bro ❤❤

[@hanan_x4304]

Insha allah

[@Yeesack]

W

[@jasondinosoccer]

Great video Matt! I have struggled going to the college level with not being the most athletic player. The tips you provided in this video were spot on and it motivates me to keep grinding! Thank you as always! 😊

[@lokewolf]

Absolutely love this video...this is a super helpful breakdown, and advice for my U14 player going through growth spurts!! Thank you

[@iansergent-en5zj]

Even tho he is saying you can make it without being an insane athlete, all the players compared to a normal player can run for days, so these guys are still in great shape and good athletes just not as insane as players like mbappe. So you still need to be athletic to be pro

[@shahir1395]

but that level of athleticism can be gained by hard work

[@manciajr2805]

​@@shahir1395 but you'll never be as fast or strong as them cuz they're born with it

[@chocomint8261]

@@manciajr2805 literally just not true, speed and strength can easily be improved, as a basketball player i've improved my suicides by 3 seconds and my full court sprint + layup from 5s down to 3.8s in the last 3-4 months, as long as you work hard you can get faster and stronger. i'm a 15 year old short asian with below average stride length and can still improve my speed a ton

[@shahir1395]

@@manciajr2805 you can be fast enough to go pro

[@manciajr2805]

@@shahir1395 I know

[@tausal1]

Another quality content. Thank you for your continuous effort to make these videos. They are more helpful and have improved more people's game than you probably know!

[@GreatSexyHerald]

Superb video dude. And as Cruyff used to say (and this is specially applicable to Inieasta in particular) "people tend to confuse speed with anticipation. If I start runing a little before everyone else, it actually seems like I'm faster". Jajajaja pure gold!! Oh and another two players that kind of combine ALL of these principles were Pirlo and Juan Roman Riquelme.

[@tristanw7215]

Amazing video Matt. The example clips illustrated your points perfectly. All of what you said really brings home why a player like Messi is so effective, because he combines speed and space creation masterfully.

[@tkitanoable]

this is fantastic content. So well thought through and clearly explained with video examples!

[@TheMcarlini]

This was a great video. Too many youth players coast on god given speed and it’s good to see how important the technical side is to the game. Thanks!

[@rsureshsarulanandar6014]

Hey Matt, I started watching your videos recently and am very impressed. Thank you for the amazing videos. Keep up the good work. It is very helpful for the emerging young talents. Cheers

[@SK13639]

This is probably my favorite video that you've posted in a while Matt. Thank you so much for the great tips! I'll see you on the field in a few years ;)

[@arthurkariuki4277]

I love this video. As an in “unathletic player” I use many of these tips without knowing. It’s just so great to have it Articulated so well in a video. Now it’s something that I can consciously work on and improve upon.

[@a2dx10]

this video is great! well done, well explained and really useful for players that arent physically gifted. great Job man. 😎👍👍

[@manuelito3103]

Finally a good video! A well-known issue in US is that coaches are so oriented to physical training that frustrates kids at very young age, not allowing them to develop natural talent. I've seen 6yo kids lifting weights, doings all kind of BS rather than enjoying the sport. Kids of 12-15 quitting football because they are not fast enough.

[@georgiachristian1058]

Thank you for sharing these with everyone they’re sure to benefit many that listen and put in the work. I’m lucky enough to have been preached this to since the age of ten and if you truly listen to this type of advise mixed with work ethic you’ll make it far. These videos probably take a lot of work and I’m appreciative since they’ve helped so many people

[@cesarmaravi7915]

Thanks a lot for this video. You have a new subscriber from Lima, Peru!

[@kmqmcse]

This is one of the best videos you've ever made Matt. Thank you.

[@KJ-sb5cg]

On a side note, Matt, in my opinion your performance vs Birmingham Legion was the best I've ever seen you play. Maybe aside from 1 or 2 games for FC Tulsa. Fantastic individual performance despite the result. Incredible stuff, work ethic, fitness, 1v1 on attack and defence. Keep it up

[@ProfeLuisFelipe]

_Thanks for this video, it's been really helpful!!_

[@tanajkamheangpatiyooth1739]

These are wonderful thoughts. Thank you Matt.

[@nsn6652]

This style of video is really brilliant for learning from so could you do more of these analysis oriented videos that focus on specific areas of the game?

[@aboubello2010]

This is a properly collected detailed video👏🏾👏🏾

[@Prabhu00000]

One of the best video ever, with great analysis ❤

[@xxxgod3664]

Thankyou for the information. For a tiny player like me I really needed all these information to know my strength and weakness.

[@Dossou2625]

Hey matt hope all is good just wanted to say I have been following you for almost 6 years, thank you for never giving up

[@mauriciocatach3933]

Great Video! I am biased as Busquets is probably my favorite player of all time alongside Laudrup and Bergkamp. I think the game IQ and anticipation is key. What I'm happy to see is something i don't see people talk about a lot, and as a 6'5 guy myself, i use constantly is tip number 5, running in front of the opponent. I wish people would teach this more openly (and i have talked to many coaches as a former adidas scout). If you can`t anticipate, and can`t make yourself faster, make the opponent slower. There is even an example at 11:35 probably unintended, but Lewandowski's Run goes diagonally across the defenders run. Zidane was also a master at trapping the ball and having that first touch towards the direction the defender was approaching him at speed, because he'd have to stop and turn 180. Its about the speed of mind and a good touch. great vid!

[@maisondav1d]

Great video. Iniesta and Thiagos first touch 🤌 Also Xavi was amazing as a small slow player, no one could ever even get near him, always chasing shadows.

[@NgaiNing]

The research you do for your Videos are amazing

[@ap_moneykris6693]

Amazing video Matt! Feels like the video was made for me as I am a slower player who doesn't have a crazy top speed (more like middle-pack of the team) but I have very good technical abilities which makes me stand out as a player. Hopefully I can make it pro. Thanks again for this video, you're a true blessing to the football community!

[@johannkennel]

For what team do you play?

[@coachfrette]

This is such great advice! Thanks Matt 💯

[@solsonicforce]

Great advice as always! Thanks Matt 🫡

[@antonistrim5592]

Amazing topic and amazing analysis really good video Matt🫡

[@soccerhq2401]

If there is a video out there that inspires players (of all types) to reach their highest potential, this is it. The presenter is composed, masters his words, and radiates confidence!!! Matt, you have charisma!

[@chiefmutes8481]

Thank you for another informative video 🙏

[@seanvincent7318]

Thank you so much, Matt!

[@VierundDB]

This knowledge often comes with experience, too. Closest I ever came was an MLS trial; but as I've got older, first touch and field vision became more important. Still fast, but definitely not over the same distance 😅

[@KiatHuang]

Excellent tips and very relevant examples of world-class players. He's right. We can all improve ourselves and build on our strengths.

[@the_hunterghost9231]

very well done clip. i am sure this helps lots. thumbs up

[@osyediale7617]

Amazing work man ❤

[@BodyTrust]

Great information. Big thumbs up!

[@NwadoNkeonyeasua-hk7ph]

Thanks you so much your topics has helped my son so much

[@sirtreebeard8106]

Thanks, this was helpful!

[@rlt4526]

Always a better day when you post

[@user-kx6tv2uo7k]

Fantastic video,wish you were around when I was playing 30 years ago! Inspirational for slower footballers! And look at the name of the players you profiled, all global superstars. well done!

[@NazarCJ]

Thanks for your motivation )

[@shubhtripathi7252]

The most awaited video from my friends 🔥

[@Drkems39]

You just saved 9. This was indeed a stitch in time for me. I am a Deep-lying Playmaker with a great football knowledge and I suffer 75% of what you highlighted. Thanks for helping my weaknesses. Let me get back to work. Blessings coach!

[@Sergio-wm5du]

this is something i needed to hear a while ago. i’ve always doubted myself because i was so slow but good at shooting and passing.

[@LarkinHYPr]

Excellent video Matt!

[@youngtoken6235]

Awesome video, i play basketball but sometimes for fun i play football with my friends. In basketball im quite fast and quick, but compare to some my freinds that play football in winger or striker position im very slow. So i'll try this tips in my games this summer

[@tobi1kenobi943]

This is a great video. It's the easiest to focus on bigger and more athletic players but the most pleasant to watch in soccer is inteligent play with technical skills.

[@jaimejauregui970]

Amazing tips. Thanks a lot

[@vishnudixit7754]

This is awesome! I was actually hoping KDB was on your list aswell.

[@BonziJones]

Great vid✊🏾

[@sainum2107]

Thierry Henry said something important imo: "Don't try to improve your weakneses, but always try to improve what you're good at". I think he is right here, if you scatter your time and effort trying to "fix" your weakneses I think you will end up as a player who is not good at any specific thing in the game, but if you continue improving what you're actually good at, that will outshine your weakneses and you could be a very valuable player, and your weakneses can be covered by your teammate as it happens all the time in different teams, for example Busquets today with Koke in Spain's national team.

[@androidprogramming1106]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@Noah-ye1wh]

Thank You Mate, I have suppordet you, when you have around 200 k subs. This is very good content for fotballers who have a dream to became pro.

[@momodolaminjobarteh4564]

Long story short bruv you a genius,,,👊🏾✨💡💯🎯❤️✌🏾

[@Panagiotis_Kataras]

Kane is also a great example of a player that has reached top level without being fast

[@Unn_Amed]

With zero trophies 😂😂😂

[@Panagiotis_Kataras]

@@Unn_Amed it means absolutely nothing, he stayed in his boyhood club for almost 20 years

[@Unn_Amed]

@@Panagiotis_Kataras whatever makes u sleep bro

[@diewott1337]

​@@Unn_AmedDude played on the highest levels of football, from a individual perspective that's already a professional win. If his club wasn't good enough to get any trophies, that's another thing.

[@Ernesto020879]

Great topic ! Great video man ! I think another good example is argentinian Juan Roman Riquelme.

[@cyqlty1]

Great vid, Matt!

[@audrinemukisa16]

Nice tips coach thanks alot

[@mali3570]

thank you for great video

[@ArablW]

Really thanks man I am really slow and this will help me alot

[@omarbahrour]

I agree, if course pace is a huge advantage, but football loves facilitators with the ability to read the game at a high level like you said

[@TsembaletfujrTfwala-dv1xd]

Great insight matt

[@abimbolajohn7625]

I really loved❤ this video i can pin point some of the thing i learnt, size those not matter if kross , fabragas,thaigo and more who those not have much muscle i believe i can make it far in this football career thanks so much again ❤

[@Nero-yb7di]

Thanks bro. Finally somebody has decided to help slow players.

[@dominiccroucher3389]

Nice vid, would love to see your analysis of Andrea Pirlo's game.

[@yuddhveersingh710]

i have been watching you from i don't even remember years man you really post good content. i hope i will make it but i am athletic.

[@Seaxuan]

Great video, interesting to know where I can find the player stats like the one showed in this contents

[@Badass9341]

I bought your speed program a month ago and I’ve already noticed a significant increase in my speed! This video was absolutely well made. Thank you

[@neyney7645]

How is it was thinking on getting it

[@djlawrence657]

I think this might be your Best video!

[@estebangabriel_tv]

Great Stuff thank you 👨🏻‍🔧🧠🪄⚽️

[@chris.48]

I’m a fast player watching this and a winger/striker however I hate running even tho I’m the fastest on my team so what I try to do everytime is to improve my technique abilities and not just rely on my pace so thank you for this video

[@jderifaj]

this is a GREAT video

[@danfors1333]

It helps being able to dribble with both feet, that way you can quickly shield the ball with either left or right leg while controlling the ball with other foot, and to make a quick turn kick the ball behind the heel of the shielding leg.

[@Redonepunch]

It’s the beauty of this sport. Great players come in all shapes, sizes, and styles.

[@jrn2121]

Excellent video

[@mask7957]

Being comfortable under pressure and being really good technically and having good positioning can also really help also passing and vision can really help

[@karumehuie1407]

Great information

[@LeonardoFaria]

Brilliant video

[@joshlin4376]

tks for ur advices

[@ballersite]

Thank you Matt really need this right now! Got a question though, I noticed most of the players you mentioned are midfielders or players playing in the central of the field. I have been playing as a full back, do you think I need to switch to a midfield or just stick to my current position and apply the tips you mentioned?

[@senkaimiklosbencik8284]

This was a really good video

[@Conradlow]

thank you Matt

[@Michael-em6qb]

Xabi Alonso & Xavi we’re slow & still excelled. Your technique is everything, speed is just a plus.

[@alexmclean6539]

Great video

[@arturohull14161]

Strength, acceleration, pace, marking and tackling are my bread and butter.

[@dallasnoble8329]

Very good thank you

[@rmd6936]

Off the ball vision is probably the most important thing as a slower player, im 190cm (6ft2), and slim like a greyhound, i used to play CDM, and my greatest strength was anticipation off and on the ball, if you can read the game really well, you don't need to be faster if you know where to be, football tends to be quite predictable, if you see your winger run up the line with no support, and he's doubled up, you know he's most likely going to stop, try cut inside, and the chances that one of the defenders will get a toe on it are pretty high, that'll lead to a ball slipping out at the edge of the box for you to either collect or to challenge for, or he may try look back for a pass, so make yourself available, give yourself space and anticipate everything you possibly can. There's a blessing in being able to slow down the play, but then play a pass that'll dictate tempo.

[@riquejb9838]

Let the ball do the work. When I was 16/17 I was very lean and very explosive, but also very technical, I was one of the bests of my team at that time, but unfortunately when i turned 18 i almost ruptured a ligament on my ankle, because of that I lost that explosiveness that I had. At the end of 2019 I stopped playing football to focus on my academic career because I was getting older and couldn’t find a place in any team. Because of the COVID pandemic I stopped playing football, I went from 70kg in the begining of 2020 to 100kg to the end of 2021. I went to the gym and I lost 15kg, so in 2022 I went Back to play football but not in an amateur Level, just pick-up games. Because of my Weight and some injuries that I had in the past, I lost all of my explosiveness, but even tho I wasn’t the same as before, I still managed to change my playing style. I always played like iniesta, very good at Dribbling in tight Spaces and I was able to pass the ball very very well, but now I see myself more like Bruno Guimarães who’s also slower, but has incredible Passing ability and vision. It’s not impposible to change how you play, you just need to understand your limits and what u do best.

[@qshkqn]

I highly recommend watching Pablo Henrique Ganso, yes that Ganso who played with Neymar at Santos

[@CharlotteSoccerHighlights]

Thank you for the great video Matt. My 15 year old son is leaving a local NPL team for a new USL Academy U19 team. Do you think this is a good opportunity at this age?

[@kennyvanwinkle1721]

Great video. I have a 12 yo he plays ECNL. He’s starting cm but the slowest on the team. I tell him this same stuff word for word almost. Going to show him this to hear you say it.

[@healthdios]

In Football right now the speedy player and fast-paced game are the trend. We saw the same trend a while ago when Germany and Netherlands were at the top of their game. Then, we saw the game going back to skills and tactical schemes when Brasil or Spain were the world's best. That's the real beauty of this game, no team could without preparation stand an assault from an athletic rival but their skills for counter attacks can balance the contest And viceversa 😂😅

[@Cars_1019]

Yoo Matt love how u play for my city 🤍

[@hennman1965]

MAN, i'd love for you to stop by and run an OTA with my JV high school team...the direction, training, advice and skill you'd provide for them to reference would be unbelievably valuable...you ever in the DC area? :)