{{Short description|Area where football teams prepare for matches}}
{{for|a military facility|Military training area}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2008}} A '''training ground''' is an area where professional association football teams prepare for matches, with activities primarily concentrating on skills and fitness. They also sometimes form part of a club's youth system, as clubs consider it important to have good facilities to aid the development of young players.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7509518.stm Pompey training ground approved], BBC Sport, 16 July 2008.</ref>
Training grounds are usually separate from a team's stadium, as clubs use the facilities to avoid overusing the stadium's pitch. However, teams usually train inside the opposing team's stadium on the day before a European away game, both for the benefit of the media and to become familiar with the surface.
== Training ground incidents == There have been several high-profile incidents, at training grounds, where players have been injured in disputes between teammates.<ref>Curtis, Ben. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article4906911.ece "Training-ground bust-ups: the best of the best"]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''The Times'', 8 October 2008.</ref> Joey Barton was given a suspended prison sentence, on 1 July 2008, for an assault on teammate Ousmane Dabo on Manchester City's training ground<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7535664.stm FA charges Barton over Dabo clash], BBC Sport, 31 July 2008.</ref> and Andy Carroll broke teammate Steven Taylor's jaw in a fight.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article7071885.ece The Times]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> Image:Friedrich und Schweinsteiger 2005.jpg|Germany players Arne Friedrich and Bastian Schweinsteiger training, 2005 Image:USMNT World Cup training 20060511.jpg|USA players training during the 2006 World Cup. Image:The Cliff (oppvarming).JPG|Manchester United players training at The Cliff, 1992 Image:Alanmaguirelennoxtown14.jpg|Lennoxtown, the training ground of Celtic F.C. </gallery>
== References == {{reflist}}
== See also == {{for|a list of all training grounds|Category:Association football training grounds}} {{Commons|:Category:Association football training|Football training}}
* [https://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com Professional football training exercises and sessions] * Football (soccer) tactics and skills
Category:Association football training grounds Category:Association football terminology
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