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Don't Confuse Fitness
With Running
For soccer players, the fitness session should not
be limited to just running, but also jogging and walking to fit in with
the demands of the sport. No soccer player actually runs for the
whole 90 minutes of a game, the pace is varied. Similarly, the
direction of work should not always be straight ahead. A soccer
player has to move forwards, backwards and side to side. Remember,
if you are a soccer player, you are not training to be a better sprinter,
you are training to be better at soccer, therefore, sprinting should not
just take the form of back and forth shuttles, but should change direction
or imitate a slalom. Be creative!
Teams can get fit through challenging fitness
drills in practice where players increase their fitness level involving a
variety of imaginative elements. Coaches can Incorporate fitness
drills involving a variety of soccer skills in high pressure situations to
increase physical, skill development, and mental fitness! Also,
fitness drills can come in the form of a competition or race. This keeps
the players motivated, pushing themselves for individual and team success!
Many of the fitness workouts I develop for my teams, come to me, as I get
to know the players better. I take into consideration many
variables, such as: variety, efficiency, simplicity, practicality, and
fun!
Players can get burned out quickly when coaches
use running as the primary method of fitness, so coaches should
incorporate a variety of fitness activities that are effective,
challenging, and fun. Sprints, walking, jogging, changing
directions, shooting, passing and other skills can be tied together into a
variety of fitness challenges that keep the players pushing one another at
a competitive level, increasing their fitness level, sharpening their
skills, and getting a mental workout as well.
Below are a few fitness drills that can replace
running laps around the field:
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