Participants with active trigger points in the gastrocnemius or soleus will receive dry needling using sterile, single-use filiform needles (0.25-0.30 mm diameter; lengths 30-50 mm chosen per muscle depth). Needles inserted nearly perpendicular (or 45-60° oblique when approaching from side to avoid neurovascular structures) to the skin into identified trigger points using a fast-in/fast-out (pistoning) technique to elicit local twitch responses. Insertion depth typically 1-4 cm. Once local twitch response elicited (or after a maximum of ~5 attempts), the needle will remain in place and needles retained for approximately 10 minutes. Needling will be performed with standard infection-control measures (skin disinfection, gloves, sterile disposal). Single session of ~10-15 minutes.

Sham needling will use a non-penetrating blunted needle housed in an introducer tube placed against the skin over the trigger point. Tactile and auditory cues mimic real needling (a quick tap), but no skin penetration occurs. Pressure, duration, positioning and therapist contact will match the dry needling group. Single session of equal duration.

A single-session myofascial trigger point dry needling treatment will be administered to identified trigger points in the gastrocnemius and/or soleus muscles using sterile disposable filiform needles. The objective is to mechanically disrupt the dysfunctional motor end plate, elicit local twitch responses, reduce nociceptive activity, and restore muscle function. The intervention is delivered under aseptic conditions by a trained physiotherapist following standard safety guidelines. Post-procedure monitoring will be conducted for minor adverse effects such as soreness or bleeding.

Pressure Pain Threshold will be measured at the identified myofascial trigger point in the gastrocnemius or soleus using a handheld pressure algometer. The participant will indicate the point at which applied pressure first becomes painful. The recorded value (kg/cm²) reflects mechanical pain sensitivity of the trigger point.

Functional performance will be assessed using Single leg hop test ( distance in centimeters).The Single Leg Hop Test measures lower limb explosive power. Participants will perform three maximal forward hops on one leg. The distance (in centimeters) from the starting line to the heel landing point will be recorded. The average of three trials will be used for analysis. Greater distance indicates improved functional performance.

Sprint speed will be accessed by Shuttle run test. The speed and agility of lower limb in calf muscle by time taken to complete a short distance shuttle sprint. It reflects the explosive function of calf muscle which is essential for acceleration and direction change in football.

Sprint speed will be assessed using a 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants will run back and forth between two markers placed 20 meters apart as quickly as possible. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest time (in seconds) will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 second. Lower time indicates better sprint performance.

Ankle dorsiflexion will be measured in degrees using a universal goniometer. Three readings will be taken and averaged. Higher degrees indicate improved flexibility.