Conditioning
Drills
Soccer
is a very physically demanding
sport. Where other sports have
time outs and frequent stoppages,
soccer games enjoy no such breaks.
Also, to survive or win in this
sport, one does not need to be
lucky since its very different
from free
bingo where luck
is somewhat crucial. Soccer is
not only a game of running or
kicking but also an activity where
superb physical conditioning plays
a key role. Therefore, it is important
for soccer players to be in excellent
shape, and at the youth level
it is the coaches job to make
it happen. Here are a few conditioning
drills that you can run with your
team.
Warm
Up Conditioning Drills
Lap
Sprints: Split your team
into two single file lines and
have them run laps. The back two
players in line must sprint up
the outside of the lines and take
the lead. When they reach the
front, the next back players in
the line do the same. Repeat.
Run 2-5 laps.
Tag:
I found this soccer
conditioning drill video
on YouTube, and thought it would
be a good warm-up drill, especially
for coaches of younger teams.
I would split the team in half
and run the drill basically the
same, with one exception: Instead
of having 3 players per line,
trim down the ratio and have less
standing around. I bet you could
run this one for 20 minutes and
your players wouldn't’t
complain! A great drill for conditioning!
Cool Down Conditioning
Drills
Basic
Sprints: Set players
on the goal-line and start with
8 yard sprints. Have the players
only sprint in one direction,
and walk back. Keep the distance
the same, or increase all the
way to 18 yards. Do between 8-20.
Variations:
Have players start laying down
on their stomach or back, either
facing backwards or forwards.
This added step addresses a number
of issues including teaching players
to recover quickly.
Liners:
One of the oldest running drills
in all of sports. Have players
start on the goal line and run
three consecutive sprints, once
to the 6 and back, once to the
PK mark and back, and finally
to the 18 and back. I wouldn't’t
do more than 10 of these.
As
a coach, by treating conditioning
lightly, you are only cheating
your team. Eventually they may
have to play two 45 minute halves,
followed by two 10 minute overtimes,
and then PK’s. Always prepare
for the worst case scenario.
