| The article provides you with the correct information | | | | the technique is incorrect, you have set this child up for |
| about strength training for youth soccer players. | | | | failure lifting heavier weights and injury in the weight |
| Unfortunately there are soccer coaches who do not | | | | room or on the soccer field. |
| understand the physiological development of youth | | | | Younger soccer players need to learn basic lifting |
| soccer players and proper rep, set and load for | | | | techniques without weight before they progress to |
| strength development. | | | | weighted exercises. |
| Recently I came across an article about strength | | | | When a young player first starts to weight train the |
| training for young soccer players. The article had some | | | | emphasis is on technique first. The sets and reps may |
| good ideas; however in part of the article it said "When | | | | look something like this: six sets of two repetitions. The |
| you make your kids lift lighter weights for more | | | | purpose for this is to correct any deficiencies in |
| repetitions, you are training for volume which will build | | | | technique before increasing the repetitions and |
| bigger muscles." This statement is very misleading for | | | | decreasing the sets. |
| several reasons. | | | | This also allows for a gradual increase in resistance |
| 1) Lifting lighter weights for more repetitions will make | | | | load. Once the young soccer player has mastered the |
| any youth player stronger | | | | exercise technique, he or she may increase the load. |
| 2) Lifting lighter weights with more repetition is aimed at | | | | This is important for injury prevention and performance |
| increasing muscle tone and muscular endurance. | | | | on the soccer field. |
| 3) Any child that lifts weights will get bigger muscles | | | | If you are looking to put a young soccer player on a |
| regardless if it is heavier weights and lower repetitions | | | | weight training program here are a few guidelines. |
| or lighter weights and higher repetitions. | | | | 1) Exercises should involve the entire body |
| 4) No specific parameters were given nor was there | | | | 2) Exercises should mimic the actions of the game |
| any type of exercise given | | | | 3) There should be single leg exercises included |
| 5) The focus is and always is: regardless of the age | | | | 4) There is an even amount of push and pull exercises |
| of the child lifting weights, technique first, load and | | | | 5) There are simple exercises to work the core |
| repetitions second. | | | | If these guidelines are followed a young soccer player |
| Thus if you give a young player three sets of twelve | | | | will get stronger and faster with out getting injured. |
| repetitions for the front squat holding ten pounds and | | | | |