-
Types of Soccer Fitness
Posted on February 2nd, 2009 No commentsWe as coaches often say that we need to improve the fitness level of the players. But, what EXACTLY do we mean when we say that? What is “soccer fitness”? What are the components? If we can’t define it, there is not a chance that we can improve it!Here are some thoughts on the various “fitness ideas” that we have to think about as coaches.Since the goal of all training for youth should be “economy”, that is whenever possible training all four dimensions of the game at the same time (technique, tactics, fitness, psychological dimension), hopefully all fitness training should be done with the ball.
The best way to get the youth player fit to play soccer is to have them play soccer. If exercises are done at speed under pressure, players will get fit. However, if you do “run” the players, have them run with the ball at their feet. In short, use the ball whenever possible. This not only motivates them better, but also allows them to become more skillful.
With this said, it is important to recognize the different components of soccer fitness so that they can be easily identified in the players or be recognized when a player is lacking a specific type of fitness.
COMPONENTS OF FITNESS:
A. FLEXIBILITY is the ability of the muscle to stretch a distance or rapidly make change in length without damaging itself
B. ENDURANCE is the ability of a player to withstand hard work over a given period of time and to recover quickly. Having adequate amounts of energy to perform a task over time. Aerobics Endurance refers to the body’s ability to deliver enough oxygen to the muscles. It is exercise with oxygen done while breathing. This is important for all distance-type running. Anaerobic Endurance refers to the body’s ability to work without an adequate supply of oxygen. This is important for all sprint-type work.
C. AGILITY is the ability to change directions quickly and efficiently. The ability to maintain balance.
D. STRENGTH is the maximal force or power which the involved muscles are capable.
E. SPEED is the ability to move from one point to the other in the least amount of time. For the soccer player there are three important types of speed. Pure Speed is running without the ball between two points, no matter how short or long the distance; Technical Speed is how quickly a player can run with a ball or control a ball; Tactical Speed is how quickly a player can make decisions.
F. COORDINATION is the ability to perform actions efficiently.
TYPES OF FITNESS TRAINING:
I. INTERVAL TRAINING
Short work periods interspersed with periods of rest; considered the fastest way to improve aerobic fitness. As players get more fit, increase the work period and decrease the rest period.
II. CIRCUIT TRAINING
Continuous work involving different muscle groups or different types of conditioning.
III. FARTLEK
Continuous running while changing speeds. The work comes from the Swedish word meaning “speed play”. The difference between fartlek and interval is that there is no period of rest in fartlek. There are just periods of work and harder work.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FITNESS
The following is a partial list of certain psychological dimensions that are important for higher levels of soccer performance. Although difficult to define, it is nonetheless an important part of each player’s fitness. It is an often undervalued aspect of training. Coaches often spend a great deal of time talking about technique or fitness, but never address training the psychological dimensions of their players, or discuss with them psychological techniques of relaxation, or dealing with success or failure on the field. A player’s desire to win and compete can often make up for lack of technique or tactical awareness.
A. ENTHUSIASM reflects the player’s basic motivation to play.
B. CONCENTRATION is the ability to focus attention on what is important. It does not mean “screening out” what is not important. Nobody can “screen something out”. It means focusing in on what is important in the here and the now, not letting the mind focus in on what has happened in the past or what may happen in the future.
C. DISCIPLINE is recognizing what needs to be done and doing it each time reliably.
D. TOUGHNESS means a combination of enthusiasm, focused attention and energy. To the outside observer, the tough player may look like they are overcoming many unpleasant obstacles to achieve their goals. On the inside, it feels as if these obstacles are minor inconveniences to be shrugged off.
E. AGGRESSION is the ability to mobilize all resources to achieve a goal, target or objective. It is often misunderstood. It is often seen as hostility. The casual observer may be intimidated by highly aggressive performance and mistakenly think the player is being hostile or is motivated out of anger or destructive feelings. Hostility has no place in high level competition, or any competition for that matter. Hostility shows reactions, and clouds judgment. The best players, playing at their best, are not competing with hostile feelings. Another way of putting this is playing as hard as you can within the laws of the game.
F. COMPOSURE is the ability to remain precise and quick in judgment and performance without interference from emotions like fear, anger, frustration or elation.
G. CONFIDENCE is knowing what is required and knowing also that one may meet those requirements. There is no mistaking this when one sees it. It is not boastful or arrogant. Confidence produces composure and authority. Confidence is produced by the player through literally hundreds of hours mastering the ball and playing the game.
Leave a reply
