| In this day and age soccer conditioning is very different | | | | condition to do all of this. Since pace of the game |
| from what it used to be many years ago. In the past | | | | continuously changes, so should the training at practice. |
| players would run laps, go for 30 - 45 minute cardio | | | | Interval type training and sprints is more effective for |
| runs to get into shape for the soccer season. That | | | | soccer fitness for several reasons: |
| was fine then, but as time goes on training changes | | | | 1) soccer is a game of burst of energy with recovery |
| and performance changes. | | | | 2) this training prepares the muscular system for |
| Youth soccer coaches who keep up to date with | | | | games |
| current soccer fitness training strategies avoid sending | | | | 3) this training prepares the nervous system for |
| their players out for those boring cardio runs. Instead | | | | games |
| they develop practices that are up tempo and at | | | | 4) this training prepares the energy systems for |
| game pace. | | | | games |
| The two most common things we see in soccer | | | | 5) this training prepares the mind for the grind |
| games are sprints and sprints with recovery. This | | | | As compared to the steady state cardio training this |
| occurs at all ages regardless if they 8 or 18 male of | | | | type of training prepares players for game pace and |
| female. | | | | tempo. It is a more specific type of training. Not only |
| If you send your players out for a 30-45 minute | | | | that players need to have the strength to train with |
| conditioning run, this will only lead to slowness, | | | | sprints and interval work. Any soccer player can go |
| weakness and injury. Unfortunately I have been on the | | | | out and complete a 25 minute jog. |
| treating end of players with these conditions because | | | | If you look at the body mechanics of a jog there is little |
| of misinformed coaches or parents. | | | | range of motion occurring at the hip, knee and ankle |
| How many soccer players do you know suffer from | | | | joints. This only occurs if a sprint is included in the jog. |
| Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and knee pain on and | | | | On the other hand, sprints and interval training can be |
| off the soccer pitch? How many of your players | | | | done by changing the type of movement that occurs. |
| continue to pull their hamstrings and quadriceps | | | | Soccer fitness includes stops, starts, change of |
| muscles? If this is happening a lot you may wish to | | | | direction, side shuffles, forward and backward |
| look at the training you are doing with them. | | | | movements. These movements are similar to the |
| So how do we correct these problems or prevent | | | | actions on the soccer field and prepare the body for |
| them from happening in the first place? | | | | game time. |
| Train your players the way the game is played. | | | | In conclusion, the days of sending soccer players out |
| Soccer is played with interval sprints and recovery. | | | | for boring cardio runs is over. The more effective way |
| The soccer player sprints for 10-20 yards receives the | | | | for training these athletes is through sprints and interval |
| ball and then either passes off or carries and then | | | | runs. |
| passes it off. The soccer player needs to be in good | | | | |