Develop Soccer Power, Strength and Fitness - 5 Myths About Strength Training For Youth Soccer Player

With so much info on the internet, TV andprogression develop stronger joints, improve stability,
magazines you must understand these 5 commonincrease strength, power, speed, confidence and are
myths about strength and conditioning for youthmore dominating on the soccer field.
soccer fitness training.Myth 4: Children shouldn't weight train until they are
This is a must before your child is ever going to be14 or 15.
successful at improving their strength, power, speedTruth: Absolutely false. Most people think of body
and fitness on the soccer field.building when they think of weight training. A young
Myth 1: Soccer is an endurance / "cardio" game soboy or girl of the age of 8 may start a properly
you need to go for a 20 to 30 minute jog for soccerdesigned soccer resistance training program with
fitness.significant benefits.
Truth: Soccer is a power and speed game. SendingMyth 5: My child will become "bulky" and "lose their
your child out for a 20 to 30 minute jog is "oldflexibility and ability to move" on the soccer field.
school, outdated" soccer fitness training and will onlyTruth: This is absolutely false. A properly designed
teach them to be slow, weak and put them at riskprogram for both young soccer girls and soccer boys
for overuse injuries. Short burst interval training is theimprove body composition (body image), overall
current soccer fitness training solution.health and athletic performance on the soccer field.
You need to find a soccer fitness program thatAn effective youth soccer strength and power
includes interval training to maximize your child's shortprogram has the following components built into it:
and long term conditioning needs.1) Exercises to prevent anterior cruciate ligament
Myth 2: Sit ups and crunches will tone my stomachtears. i.e. Single leg squat
and build my "core"2) Exercises that closely resemble the actions on the
Truth: Abdominal exercises such as crunches, sit-ups,soccer field. i.e. Lunges
and abdomen machines are actually the LEAST3) Total body exercises for base strength. i.e. Squats
effective method of building the core. They do more4) Exercises that build power. i.e. A progressive
harm than good. Sit ups cause increase pressure onplyometric (jump) program
the "jelly" discs in the back. Over time this may lead5) Conditioning that includes intervals and sprints
to back problems.6) Exercises that include stop - start and change of
Myth 3: Weight training or lifting weights will causedirection.
growth plate damage. Lifting weights will "stunt"7) Sound nutritional guidelines. i.e. Pre and post training
growth. Truth: Growth plate injuries are result ofand game meals.
unsupervised weight training. Soccer Athletes whoIt is vital that you look for these components in any
perform strength training or resistance trainingstrength and conditioning program for your son or
exercises with proper form, technique anddaughter.