| Is soccer speed training part of your training plan? If | | | | level and even prevent injuries. How can a soccer |
| not, it's time to give this high energy and high | | | | player learn velocity? |
| success method a try. Coaches all over the world | | | | Many coaches have found that placing a cone at the |
| have found that soccer speed training makes for | | | | 25 or 30 meter line to signify an end to the |
| faster players and more wins. What exactly is soccer | | | | acceleration running style is a good visual cue for |
| speed training? | | | | players. Once they cross the line, they begin working |
| Basically, it's a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercises | | | | on finding a stride while maintaining speed and energy. |
| that are combined to train the soccer player's body | | | | Just knowing the difference between the two |
| to achieve maximum acceleration, maximum velocity, | | | | running styles is often enough to get players on the |
| and maximum endurance. These three traits can | | | | right track. |
| revolutionize both offense and defense by giving | | | | The last component of soccer speed training is |
| players the sheer speed they need to leave the | | | | endurance. Endurance is the ability to maintain speed |
| other team in the dust. | | | | over a long period of time, even while become |
| The first component of soccer speed training is | | | | fatigued. Soccer players often find themselves having |
| acceleration. The ability to accelerate with speed and | | | | to perform while their energy stores are running low, |
| control can give a player a huge advantage on the | | | | so this quality is perhaps the most important of the |
| playing field. This crucial skill can mean the difference | | | | three. Like many aspects of sport performance, |
| between taking possession of the ball and watching | | | | endurance requires both mental and physical strength. |
| the other team score. Acceleration generally refers | | | | Mentally, players must be committed to maintaining |
| to the speed gained in the first three to four | | | | their quality of play and their good form. As for the |
| seconds of running. | | | | physical component, many teams have found that |
| If you are in need of a few acceleration exercises to | | | | occasional long runs of five or more minutes are |
| jumpstart your soccer practice, try running short | | | | good for building the strength needed to outlast the |
| spurts of less than 30 meters and focusing on adding | | | | competition. |
| speed in a smooth and efficient manner. Many teams | | | | With these simple exercises, it should be easy to |
| find that running from one cone to another, and then | | | | make this revolutionary program part of your regular |
| back, is an easy way to work on this vital skill. | | | | training. Adding soccer speed training to your practice |
| The second part of soccer speed training is velocity. | | | | can make for a swifter, stronger team that can get |
| Velocity means speed, and maximum velocity means | | | | to the ball faster and keep it in play longer. With |
| reaching and maintaining the highest possible speed. | | | | maximum acceleration, velocity, and endurance, your |
| The key to maintaining a high velocity is to stop | | | | team should soon be celebrating maximum wins as |
| trying to accelerate and instead finding a relaxed | | | | well. |
| stride. This will help the player maintain a high energy | | | | |