The Importance Of Soccer Fitness
Soccer is a very strenuous game and obviously to succeed as a soccer player one needs to be physically fit. This is where soccer fitness training and drills come into the picture. Also remember that it is very important for players to eat right, drink enough water, rest and exercise properly to become physically fit for soccer.
Here’s Why Soccer Fitness Is Really Important…
If you look at it, you will find very few sports that are played on such a large field, for such a long time and without regular rest periods. So, you can understand how important fitness and fitness drills are to the soccer game.
If you are still not clear, let me give you some statistics. During a regular soccer game, a player would usually cover 8-12 km. This distance of 8-12 km would usually consist of 24% walking, 36% jogging, 20% coursing, 11% sprinting, 7% moving backwards, and 2% moving with the ball.
Here’s a real example of some “side effects” of the stats above…
Building…
A proper soccer fitness training program would impart endurance, muscle strength, speed, agility, and flexibility in soccer players. Soccer players need muscular strength because that helps in shooting, tackling, and running. Muscular strength also means fewer injuries.
Moreover, strength training helps correct muscle imbalances in soccer players. It has been noted that soccer players tend to develop overly strong quadriceps, in comparison to their hamstrings. A proper fitness program will correct this imbalance and thereby help prevent injuries.
Soccer fitness training helps in creating a balance of explosive power and muscular endurance in soccer players. In other words, a good soccer fitness program will offer the right mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
In soccer, a midfielder is required to cover a lot of ground during a soccer game; therefore, he/she needs a good aerobic fitness. Forwards and strikers, on the other hand, need to sprint fast and thus they require focusing on anaerobic fitness.
Example - One To One Fitness Drill
There are lots of fitness drills that a soccer coach can come up with to provide overall fitness to soccer players. My favorite is the 1v1, 2v1, 1v2 fitness drill. Besides being a great fitness drill, this also helps in passing, moving and turning skills.
Step By Step Instructions:
- Step 1: X2 will pass the ball to X1 who starts to play on the offense and is allowed to score in either goal.
- Step 2: If X1 scores a goal then X2 will pass him/her another ball. And again X1 can score on both goals.
- Step 3: O1 is required to tackle X1 and get possession of the ball. If O1 gets possession of the ball, or if the ball goes out of boundary off X1, then O2 will pass the ball to O1.
- Step 3: Now O1 will play on the offensive and will try to score on either goals. The game will last for 3 minutes after which X1 will switch places with X2 and O1 will switch places with O2.
- Step 4: They will play the way they were playing previously.
- Step 5: After each side has played the game once, X1 and X2 can only score on the lower goal and O1 and O2 can only score on the upper goal. They will one game each following this rule.
- Step 6: In the next game, X2 and X1 can join to play against O1. This would be 2 v 1. Now if O1 gets possession of the ball, X2 will have to leave the field and O1 and O2 will play against X1.
Diagram:
Key Points:
- You can start with groups of 4’s. A 40 × 30 field is required. Have two players on the field and two players on the sides with extra balls.
- This drill helps in quick transition in both directions, and not to forget, this is a great fitness drill also.
Age: 6 - 14:
Level: Intermediate
Time Duration: Each game for 3 minutes
Now go out there and test it out at your next group coaching session…
Ok, that’s it for today!…
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Andre Botelho
Tags: Soccer Fitness, Soccer Fitness Drills, Soccer Fitness Training
