The off-season can be a disheartening time for any football enthusiast or player, as the wait for the winter season to pick up again in the autumn can feel like anguish.

However, whether you are a player or you simply enjoy following AC Milan during the leagues, there are many different alternative sports that you can follow and participate in during the off-season.

These activities can keep you occupied and give you a more detailed insight into football to prepare you for high season again.

1. Tennis

There are multiple advantages to being interested in or playing more than one sport as a football fan, and tennis has many similarities to football due to its emphasis on hand-eye co-ordination and focus. It also gives players better spatial awareness and reliance on individual performance, which can then improve football performance. Tennis is also a great option for those who enjoy watching sports, as the summer season is filled with large games and leagues such as Wimbledon — although you will most likely be supporting individual players rather than a whole team.

2. Golf

Golf is an exciting sport to enjoy and participate in during the summer season and it has many similarities to football due to its reliance on balance, turning, and tactics. Golf also needs precision and aim which are similar to the skills needed in football. If you want to start participating in golf you will need the right equipment though, and PXG’s performance enhancing golf clubs provide the perfect range for people who want to improve their skills. There are many places where you can play golf easily, with local golf courses and mini golf areas available in most vacation locales and big cities. Golf is also a major part of the summer Olympics, which means you can sit back and cheer on your favourite players during the football off-season.

3. Tchoukball

Tchoukball is a popular alternative to football as a university sport and also worldwide and can provide another activity to become a fan of during the off-season, especially as Tchoukball matches tend to occur during the summer months. Similar to football, Tchoukball players use a ball, meaning that factors such as aim and precision when throwing and kicking are the same as when playing football However, Tchoukball is a less viable option than football for fans to watch gameplay on a regular basis, as there are less — if any — Tchoukball games available to stream or watch live on digital television channels.

4. Walking

One of the greatest advantages of the off-season is that it allows players (and fans) to rest and recuperate after a long and arduous season. If you still want to stay fit as a player, or simply want to occupy your time as an enthusiast, walking is one of the best sports that you can enjoy in the off-season. It is not determined by anything but the weather and it can help you keep in shape easily without the demands of more rigorous sports.