If you learn and use these tips for Soccer Fitness training you will be well beyond most of your coaching matches. By following these tips for soccer fitness training your players will consistently be stronger, faster and have more stamina than the opposing teams. Too many coaches get caught up in skills training and forget that without a strong fitness base their players will not be able to perform at an optimal state through the entire game.
The components of soccer fitness training include the following: proper warmup, working at sprint training, plyometrics and recovery.
Soccer Fitness Training Tip # 1
Proper warmup:
Too many coaches train their players to do static stretching while they are cold. This is one of the most dangerous holdovers from the past that is out there. You need to do light calisthenics to warm the muscles up before you stretch them and when you stretch them you should be doing dynamic stretching.
Soccer Fitness Training Tip # 2
Sprint Training
Too many coaches have their players jog symbols at 50% intensity. That’s just stupid. Do you want your athletes chasing the ball at 50% of what they are capable during a game? Then why would you have them train for a subpar performance. Never sprint until you are properly warmed up. Do not do sprint the day before a game. Always allow 48 hours of recovery before a game.
Soccer Fitness Training Tip # 3
Plyometrics
Too often coaches hear a bout plyometrics and through their players into the exercises without a proper understanding of how they need to do the exercises properly. Plyometrics are powerful and dangerous. It’s important that you follow good form.
I’ll explain examples in another article.
Soccer Fitness Training Tip # 4
Recovery
I can not stress enough the importance of recovery. Too often I see coaches destroy players with their “No pain no gain mentality.” When you push your players 100% you need to give them a day off or at least do an active recovery day.