| Different age groups in soccer require different training | | | | this only occurs once in a life, ages 7-17. |
| methods to optimize their physical development and to | | | | Al vermeil. |
| prevent costly mistakes. | | | | At varying ages, the kids/teenagers/adults/middle-aged |
| The wrong training at the wrong times can be | | | | players will require adequate training methods. |
| potentially harmful and actually damaging to the soccer | | | | During the different stages in the young players' life, |
| players' health and career. | | | | different physiological systems are developed and |
| Whereas the right training at the right time will lay a | | | | should consequently be emphasized at that time. |
| good, solid foundation and ensure maximal | | | | Once this window is closed, other things need focusing |
| performance whilst protecting against unnecessary | | | | on, not to waste time trying to develop something that |
| injury. | | | | simply will not further develop via these methods... |
| Youth-development is a big factor in both the soccer | | | | For example agility-training after 12-14 years of age. |
| clubs' as well as the individual players' future. | | | | We use the appropriate methods at the appropriate |
| Window of opportunitythe window of opportunity, once | | | | times for max results. |
| missed, is difficult to make up for... | | | | Age groups: |
| If taken full advantage of, it will allow the player to | | | | 6-8: general development, multiple sports: climbing, |
| develop to his full potential.Let me give the stage on | | | | balancing, throwing, jumping, games |
| this to legendary master coach, al vermeil: | | | | 8-10: speed development, focus on sprints and |
| Taking advantage of the "window of opportunity" to | | | | agility-drills, fun-training |
| develop junior athletes: | | | | 10-12: nervous system development concludes: |
| "Establishing a great training base as the body matures | | | | quickness, agility, speed, power |
| is like a savings account, the sooner you start, the | | | | 12-14: puberty, no plyometrics! Start adding external |
| greater the interest or return over a life time.Even if | | | | resistance. Specialization-age, position-specific training |
| they take a break, it's still there for them to build on | | | | 14-16: same as 12-14, resistance and intensity are |
| when they resume training." | | | | increased |
| the window of opportunity is the time when the | | | | 16-21: full lifting, speed and plyometric work |
| most significant changes in physical and skill | | | | 21-35: maintenance of top-performance levels, |
| development can be made. | | | | focus on prehab |
| the optimal period is 7-17 for developing skill, | | | | 35-40: prehab/rehab, start using lower intensities in |
| strength and power!! | | | | the resistance training, slow down on speed, power |
| the body and nervous system are very malleable, | | | | and strength work, focus more on hypertrophy |
| just like putty, and can be molded easier than in a | | | | A note on specialization: |
| mature athlete. | | | | Too early a specialization can limit development for the |
| during this crucial time of accelerated rate of | | | | following reasons: |
| development and lesser influence of genetics, it's | | | | 1: overuse injuries |
| paramount that the correct training stimulus be applied. | | | | 2: limits development of motor skills |
| all these factors make this age group extremely | | | | 3: creates undue pressure and expectation |
| adaptable to the training stimulus. | | | | 4: the sport they excelled at between 7-15 may |
| if this window is missed or not properly managed it | | | | change due to the maturation process |
| can limit their optimum performance and long term | | | | 5: denies a normal childhood experience |
| results. | | | | 6: burn out |
| for those who utilize this window, they will be able | | | | Note: more in-depth detail on specialized training for the |
| to access it throughout their lifes as opposed to those | | | | different age groups following soon... |
| who missed this opportunity. | | | | |