Get creative with football: try something different

Switzerland is full of football fever. The strongest women's teams in Europe are meeting here in Switzerland this summer for the European Championship. The creative moves, intense duels and hopefully spectacular goals could be a catalyst for you to (re)discover your own love of playing football. But you don't have to go with the traditional teams of eleven. There are creative versions of football that are both fun and good for your health.

What makes playing football healthy

Football in all its forms is a fantastic full-body workout. It strengthens the leg and core muscles, trains the cardiovascular system and improves your reactions. If you try creative ways of playing, then you'll get other benefits: new types of exercise, unusual sequences and other cognitive challenges. All of this improves your mobility and coordination – and of course your mental flexibility as well.

What's really exciting is that for anyone who plays a different version of football, the focus is on fun. That lowers the barrier for exercising and makes it easier to stick with it.

Football ideas for teams: different rules to play by

Whether you're at the park or the beach, with family and friends or even at the club: changing things up always does you good. The following variations of football promote team spirit, creativity and a love of exercise. At the same time, the focus is on your physical and mental training – entirely without pressure to perform, but with a lot of fun involved.

• Football on the left: The ball is always played using your weaker foot.
• Four goals: Instead of two there are four goals on a square field.
• Biathlon: After each goal, everyone has to complete an obstacle course.
• Silent football: Nobody's allowed to speak – you can only communicate non-verbally.
  
  

Single-player football ideas: solo fun with the ball

You can also practise creative ideas for football when you're on your own. Fun exercises with the ball mean you keep moving, improve your technique and incidentally train your focus and motor skills. With these exercises, which you can fit in any time, you'll stay fit, hone your ball control and have an enjoyable way to de-stress.

• Hitting targets: Set up obstacles and hit them precisely with the ball.
• Dribbling course: The aim is to dribble as fast as possible and without errors in a zig zag around a course marked by bottles.
• Get a feel for the ball: Juggle, roll the ball, stop it with the sole of your foot. You can also play this with a group in a circle. Who remembers hacky sacks?
  
  

Have fun with football every day

Many of these ideas can be played anywhere; in the break area, in the park, or even in your own garden. The only thing you need is a ball and your imagination. If you have children, the best thing to do is get them involved – creative football games promote motor and social skills.

And in everyday life, short breaks for football let you recharge your energy. They are fun and promote movement, stamina and mental strength. At the same time, they help mix things up in your day and boost team spirit. Football can be much more than a game with fixed rules.

And if you ever find yourself without a ball to play with, you can always go jogging. Running is one of the simplest and yet most versatile forms of exercise. A pair of good shoes is all you need to go running, any time and nearly everywhere, whether it's in a city, in the forest or on a treadmill. For background information and to find out how SWICA can help you in this regard, go here.