Neurocognitive Training

Neurocognitive training, sometimes called motor-cognitive training, combines thinking and movement in football. The idea is that players improve most when they learn to read the game and react well under pressure, not just repeat the same physical movement over and over. 

A major example of this approach is COGNIGOALS, developed by football coach Matthias Nowak. Nowak is a former technical and creative coach at FC Bayern Munich and is considered one of the leading experts in combining cognitive training with football skills. 

Neurocognitive training focuses on:

• Two-footedness – making both feet feel natural and confident 
• Game intelligence – reading the play and making the best choice 
• Creativity – finding multiple ways to solve problems in games 
• Speed of action – thinking and acting faster on the field 

How Does This Work in Practice?

Traditional training is often about repetition, kick left foot, then right foot, hoping that muscle memory develops.

Modern neurocognitive training asks:

Can you make a decision quickly under pressure?

Can you pass or shoot with either foot while scanning the field? 

Can you react faster and adapt your plan instantly? 

This changes how players learn. Instead of just repeating kicks, players train their eyes, brain, and movements together, so decisions become automatic and their “weaker” foot becomes another good option in real game situations.

Do Professional Teams Use This?

Yes! Modern training methods like neurocognitive and motor-cognitive approaches are increasingly used in professional environments.

For example:

Matthias Nowak’s COGNIGOALS approach is used around the world by clubs and academies. 

German & English U17 national players and youth pros have used these exercises to boost decision-making speed and creativity. 

Pro players say cognitive training helps them “see the game slower” in fast situations, which is a big advantage. 

Scientific studies also show that training that combines thinking and movement can improve soccer skills beyond traditional practice. One study with U14–U15 players found that specific cognitive-motor training improved passing accuracy and reaction speed by about +22% compared to regular training.

Why This Matters for Youth Players

Playing with both feet and being confident on the ball under pressure are essential skills as players grow. Neurocognitive training helps players develop:

Better awareness of the game

Smarter decisions 

Faster reactions

Comfort with both feet

Importantly, this kind of training can be fun and motivating because it engages players’ brains as much as their bodies.

Example Exercise: “Head or Catch!” Game

Here’s a simple neurocognitive game you can try at MYSC practices:

How to Play:

Two Players face themselves 6 feet apart.

The Player holding the ball calls either:

 “HEAD!” — player 'catch' the incoming ball, OR

“CATCH!” — player 'heads' the ball back to the throwing player.

Players must react the opposite of what their teammate called immediately to the call before the ball arrives.

This game trains:

Quick decision-making

Eye-brain coordination

Movement speed 

Focus under pressure

And it’s fun for all ages!

In Summary

Two-footedness isn’t just built through repetitions; it’s developed by training the brain and body together. Neurocognitive and motor-cognitive training, like the methods developed by Matthias Nowak and COGNIGOALS, help players think faster, see the game more clearly, and use both feet confidently, even under pressure. 

That’s why we believe adding fun, brain-engaging drills like the Head or Catch! game into your training not only helps players improve technically, it helps them become smarter, more creative soccer players for the long term

Learn more:

COGNIGOALS - Move your Brain!

Source - TeambuildR