| When it comes to the way we plan and setup our | | | | conditioning oriented drill. Low intensity but with high |
| soccer practices, there is one important rule to follow: | | | | focus and concentration is the key here. |
| - Never perform 2 High Intensity Soccer Training days | | | | If you coach older players then adding in some set |
| in a row. | | | | pieces during low intensity training sessions is a really |
| No matter what age or level you are coaching, adding | | | | good idea if you want to work on the tactical |
| in 2 high intensity days in a row will in the long term | | | | components of the game. |
| only lead to the players getting sore and possibly even | | | | Low intensity training sessions should be placed into |
| injured. | | | | the schedule the day after a game, or as the last |
| There is an exception to this rule, and that is when you | | | | training session before a game (1 day before the |
| coach older players at a higher level (age 16 and older) | | | | game). High intensity training sessions are best to add |
| during pre-season. Through a shorter period during the | | | | in during the middle of the week, as far away from a |
| pre-season you might be able to go a little harder a | | | | game as possible. |
| few days in a row, much like the European clubs who | | | | A Sample Training Week |
| only have a few weeks to prepare for the season. | | | | 3 sessions/week |
| But cycling (alternating) between high intensity and low | | | | A sample week for those who practice 3 times/week |
| intensity training days really is effective. I believe that | | | | may look like this: |
| you should be able to go hard at least once a week, | | | | - Sample #1 (Mo-Wed-Fri, game on Sunday/Saturday) |
| even during soccer season. If there's a game every | | | | Sunday: Game |
| 6-7 days, then you might even be able to add in 2 high | | | | Monday: Low Intensity Training Session |
| intensity workouts during the week, but make sure to | | | | Tuesday: Rest |
| keep these workouts during the middle of the week, | | | | Wednesday: High Intensity Training Session |
| as far away from the games as possible. | | | | Thursday: Rest |
| A Sample High Intensity Training Session for Soccer | | | | Friday: Low Intensity Training Session |
| A high intensity workout can be a training session | | | | Saturday: Game |
| where you work a lot through small sided games, for | | | | - Sample #2 (Mon-Tue-Thur, game Saturday |
| instance: | | | | Saturday) |
| - Warm Up (10 min) | | | | Saturday: Game |
| - Speed Training (10 min) | | | | Sunday: Rest |
| - 2 v 2 Tournament (40 min) | | | | Monday: High Intensity Training Session |
| - 6 v 6 w/ 2 min work (20 min) | | | | Tuesday: Low Intensity Training Session |
| - Agility/Conditioning Drill (5 min) | | | | Wednesday: Rest |
| - Cool-down (5 min) | | | | Thursday: High Intensity Training Session |
| 2 v 2 and 6 v 6 together with an agility drill that | | | | Friday: Rest |
| focuses on the conditioning aspect really is a high | | | | Saturday: Game |
| intensity workout session. Performing this session | | | | Conclusion |
| several days in row will probably lead to the opposite | | | | This article is a good template to follow when it comes |
| effect of what you are looking to accomplish. | | | | to planing your soccer sessions. If you work with |
| Similar sessions as the one above can (and should) be | | | | younger players (up to 14-15 years old), then your |
| performed 1-2 times/week, throughout the whole year. | | | | training should be built around technical skills and a lot |
| A Sample Low Intensity Training Session for Soccer | | | | small sided games. Adding in a lot of conditioning drills |
| A low intensity training session may look like this: | | | | at the end of a practice is not needed at this age. |
| - Warm Up (10 min) | | | | If you work with older athletes (16 +), then this article |
| - Landing Technique and Coordination (10 min) | | | | really is THE template for you to follow. |
| - Technical drills (20 min) | | | | Always make sure to ask your players for feedback |
| - Finishing drills (25 min) | | | | on the training intensity, and how they feel in their |
| - Cool-down (10 min) | | | | bodies. If they are complaining and feel soreness/pain |
| Technical drills may include dribbling at a pretty low | | | | in, for instance, their groins and hamstrings, then take a |
| tempo, but it may also include different passing | | | | step back and lower the intensity for a while. |
| receiving drills at a low tempo. Other great examples | | | | Planning and setting up the training schedule is always |
| of low intensity drills are soccer-tennis or soccer-golf, | | | | tricky, and moderate is often best, but as long as the |
| which the players very often enjoy. | | | | players feel fresh then adding in high intensity training |
| Finishing drills could be anything from dribbling the ball | | | | sessions really shouldn't be a problem, not even during |
| and then try to score, it could be a one-touch finish, | | | | the competition period. |
| finishing from crossing, etc. Just make sure the | | | | Remember to always alternate between high and low |
| distance the players are running before they finish is | | | | intensity training sessions! |
| relatively short, so the drill doesn't turn into a | | | | |