How the lockdown can benefit your sporting interest

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has affected daily life for most people, with the UK being placed on an unprecedented lockdown.

Although everyone will be affected differently, both physically and mentally, these uncertain times can be used to your benefit.

Some people live extremely busy lives, and despite many people working from home, those who have more time on their hands can use the time to develop their knowledge for sport, or their skills.

Fitness is one thing that can definitely be improved during the lockdown, especially due to the fact that it is now one of the few reasons we are allowed to leave our homes due to the new government restrictions.

However, with gyms now shut all over the country, the only way to build or maintain muscle is with dumbells, barbells or resistance bands.

All of this equipment can be expensive, but I have managed to find a pair of old dumbells and ordered some cheap resistance bands to try and soften the blow of not being able to use the gym for three weeks... at the very least.

The time we have been allotted at home can also be used to further advance your knowledge of football, whether you are a journalist or fan.

With Euro 2020 postponed until next summer, now could be a great time to get an idea of who to watch out for next summer by watching highlights of the group stage qualification matches.

Here are five ways of improving your knowledge and fitness during the lockdown:

1: Research players making the headlines this season.

Every year there are certain breakthrough talents that make a lasting impression either with flashes of brilliance or by doing so well at such a young age.

While during our usually busy schedules we do not have the time to watch as many match highlights, now could be the time to further your knowledge of who the ones to watch are. Here are a few names to try...

Erling Haaland, Marcel Sabitzer, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, Mason Greenwood, Reece James, Dwight McNeil, Lautaro Martinez, Frenkie de Jong.

2: Study league standings from past five seasons.

A good way of tracking a teams progress is following the league trajectory over the past five league campaigns. Sure, we check the results every weekend and think we remember where our teams finish, but they tend to blur slightly over time.

Checking out the tables may change your view on how successful a league campaign it was based on points/wins e.t.c.

3. Read fan forums.

Each club in the English leagues will have a supporters forum, check these out to see what other fans have made of the season so far, and even better, create an account and give your input.

Football is a hotly debated topic, everyone has their opinion and it often leads to heated, lengthy debates with a high number of people weighing in due to popularity and strong arguments.

4. Invest in a football and get practising.

Sure, the pros get to train daily to maintain the standard they have been playing throughout their career. However, for us not-so talented football lovers, practising your technique will eventually lead to improvement.

With the warm weather on its way, now is the time to get that old football out of the shed, pump it up and get playing with your housemates.

Plus, with football counting as outdoor exercise, take that ball down the park and get practising your long range passing when you start to see improvements.