World Championship --Jules Rimet Cup 1966 Final ... - FIFA.com

In thirteen countries there is collaboration between the national coach
and the clubs to assist in the preparation of selected players. In three
countries special training is also arranged by clubs after players have
been selected .
Physical fitness tests are a general rule in fourteen countries as part of
the assessment of a player's fitness . Russia seem to have the most systematic
procedure adopting regular tests five times a year.
Thirteen countries, in their programmes of fitness training, give
special emphasis to speed . Bulgaria vary training as much as possible
to prevent boredom . Switzerland develop fitness through skill practices
and Argentina work at methods of team co-ordination in play .
Eight countries felt that there was no need to arrange special periods
of acclimatisation . Brazil arrived three weeks early to allow time for
players to adapt themselves, and Uruguay took special measures to
allow for climate and change of food . France, Germany West and Russia
played matches in countries with similar climate and outlook to England.
Bulgaria had two months of special training without international
matches just prior to the Competition, but fourteen countries aimed to
get their players "match" fitbyplaying a few "introductory" international
games . England and Germany West rested players for a while after a hard
season before getting them together for the final stage of preparation .
Preparation after Arrival in England
It is a growing practice to seek quiet headquarters, such as a country
hotel or a training camp which is not too far away from the venue of
matches . Ten countries would prefer a quiet hotel, but Argentina would
have liked a holiday camp or a hotel in town close to soccer facilities, and
Bulgaria really would like a special headquarters suited to a football
team's practical requirements but not too austere. All countries were
reasonably satisfied with the headquarters they had, but Portugal would
have preferred somewhere nearer the training ground . Mexico were
worried about noise from the street .
Before the competition matches started, most countries (twelve) arranged
two series of pratical training of about 11/2 hours each day, one of
which was usually a practice match . The national coaches agreed that
training would be lighter when once the Competition started, about
12 hours a day to keep the players in trim .
On the question of adjusting training according to opponents, only
five countries adapted training to any serious extent, and one dealt with
tactical side of the match only .
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