While talking soccer drills, the ones that focus on aerobic and fun soccer conditioning can not only develop player stamina for during the 90-minute soccer match, but also build fitness levels so that no substitutions occur.
- How This Can Be Achieved
Since a game of soccer can involve a lot of running at various speeds and durations, aerobic conditioning is essential for the soccer player. Actually, aerobic soccer drills would involve a lot of jogging, imitating the amount of running a player has to do during the game, which is, on an average, about 4- 5 miles.
Many coaches start off their summer season, getting their players jogging this kind of distance to make them stronger to sustain them through the match. Unless cardio work is done, the player will not be able to last the match.
As a soccer trainer, when you ask your players to jog, advise them to keep their heads up, shoulders back just like they would during the game. Aerobic drills are usually done for at least a half hour at a time and as a coach, you must ensure that your players get water breaks during the sessions.
As they jog, you can make them practice arm swings, footwork, etc.
There are aerobic drills that develop soccer skills also.
- Dribbling Skills Through Aerobic Drills
This can be more interesting for your players, as it is more like playing on the field than just going through routine drills. Your players can dribble with a ball on the field. They must maintain a steady jog, while doing this for about a half hour. This way, you can make them improve their ball control and handling, along with working on their conditioning.
- Jogging
With aerobic drills, you can make your players practice short distances as well as long distances. They can do a mile or a mile and a half jogging for building their muscles every third day. The longer jogging sessions can be a couple of miles at a slow and steady pace. This improves their cardio stamina.
If you get around to talking soccer drills with other coaches, get an idea of what they are doing for their teams. Also advise your own players to go for a jog whenever they can spare the time, outside practice and general soccer rules. Make them understand that better soccer conditioning makes for better games. Fitness can make all the difference, when it comes to winning or losing a game.
