| More than almost any other sport, soccer is a very | | | | generally do not like running or exercising if it's not part |
| demanding sport in terms of physical fitness and | | | | of soccer drills, and find simple runs across the field |
| endurance, and these demands can affect players in | | | | with a soccer ball to be repetitive. Said runs across the |
| different ways. Some players may start the season in | | | | field should be done in moderation to keep your |
| great shape, while others may start out slowly and | | | | players' interest in the game and improving their |
| only get into shape after a few weeks' time. | | | | technique. |
| Others may start out fast yet burn out quickly, getting | | | | It is also not too advisable to dwell too much on talking |
| worn out by the fitness demands. Generally speaking, | | | | conditioning during pre-game huddles. With the limited |
| though, being fit makes playing all ninety minutes of | | | | time you have to discuss other aspects of the game, |
| soccer easier, but with all that is done in soccer | | | | any talk on conditioning should be limited on discussing |
| practice, it is best for the players to be accountable for | | | | proper running techniques, and stressing that this is |
| their own fitness. | | | | something to be done after soccer hours - something |
| All soccer programs need to include endurance and | | | | players can do during their own free time. |
| aerobic training, due to the physical fitness demands of | | | | Since your players would be doing enough running |
| the sport, and due to the fact that soccer players | | | | during the soccer season, avoid giving them long runs |
| hardly have time to rest between sprints. | | | | during their aerobic training. Older players can do |
| Soccer players are required to change speeds from | | | | off-season running about thirty minutes, three times a |
| time to time while going up against opponents, and with | | | | week, in order to build and improve their aerobic |
| an enhanced aerobic capacity, that would allow them | | | | foundation. |
| to improve their speed and ability to change speeds | | | | Most players with higher aspirations in the field of |
| during the game. The running involved in this aspect of | | | | soccer already have their own training schedules |
| training can also greatly improve blood circulation and | | | | outside of the game in order to help them build |
| develop strong bones. | | | | endurance and conditioning. That said, in coaching |
| However, running for the sake of running is not | | | | youth soccer, it is important to devote soccer practice |
| advisable for your soccer practice. Since you should | | | | to teaching soccer, and let the running be something |
| use soccer practice as a means to improve technique, | | | | best done during a player's free time. |
| any running should be done with a ball. Young players | | | | |