| Soccer players are athletes, but unlike a 100m runner | | | | #4 Speed of feet |
| where there is explosive speed for 10 seconds in a | | | | Here we are talking about the basic running / |
| straight line, there are many other abilities that soccer | | | | sprinting motor skills. |
| players need to develop. | | | | Initial explosion and acceleration are vital to covering |
| Here are 5 key soccer related speed abilities that you | | | | the ground quickly. Speed of feet is without the ball, |
| should develop in your players. | | | | and since it is without the ball it is rarely in a straight |
| #1 - Speed of thought | | | | line. |
| Soccer players have a great deal to concentrate on. | | | | Therefore, as a players progress is often inhibited by |
| There senses are constantly being blitzed with | | | | other players they must adjust and change direction |
| information, which they need to quickly decipher. | | | | in relation to their team mates actions and those of |
| Here are some examples: | | | | the opponents. |
| - Where opponents are positioned | | | | Explosive speed is generated from the leg muscles |
| - Actions of their team mates | | | | stretching and contracting to achieve maximum |
| - What's infront of them and their peripheral vision | | | | power, but good running technique, driving through |
| - The conditions of the pitch and the weather | | | | the arms and co-ordination are also vital. |
| - The noise from team mates, crowd, coaches and | | | | #5 Skill speed |
| opponents | | | | Watching a player run at pace and carry the ball is a |
| - Their tactical position and the strategy of the team | | | | truly awesome sight. |
| #2 - Speed of anticipation | | | | Sprinting full out while keeping possession and holding |
| Some players have a great reading of the game. I | | | | off any challenges from opponents to dribble and |
| have a friend who although he is now in his late 40's | | | | create an opportunity to shoot at goal is a |
| early 50's still plays regularly and competes well with | | | | tremendous ability. |
| players half his age! | | | | This key skill though is still built on the last point which |
| How does he do this... because he's played soccer all | | | | is speed of feet. |
| his life at professional and international level he has | | | | However, while a player may be very quick is only |
| built a huge database in his brain of playing situations, | | | | advantageous if their ball manipulation and technical |
| player characteristics, tactical situations etc. and he is | | | | skills are as up to speed as their pace (pardon the |
| able to draw on this which gives him superb speed of | | | | pun). |
| anticipation. | | | | So, what can you do to help coach the 5 key speed |
| Sure for explosiveness and reaction times the | | | | principles? |
| younger players would win every time, but as the old | | | | #1 Speed of thought - enable players to make their |
| saying goes..."the first couple of yards are in the | | | | own decisions, that means give them lots of |
| head!". | | | | opportunites to make choices. Condition games so |
| So here it is important that players develop a knack | | | | that it forces them to think. |
| of interpreting the actions of the opponents and | | | | Play soccer games with them, don't just do drill work. |
| what that means to the games development. | | | | By playing games they will also gain experience which |
| #3 - Speed of reaction | | | | help them build their database from which to draw |
| As mentioned in the last bullet, speed of reaction is | | | | on. |
| vital. | | | | Keep them motivated, players will not think unless |
| Anticipation is one thing, being able to react quickly is | | | | they are motivated and stimulated to do so. Finally, |
| another. | | | | let them be free of any fear and stress of making |
| Consider the role of the goal keeper, their reaction | | | | wrong decisions. |
| time to a sudden shot, deflection, switch in angle of | | | | #2 Speed of anticipation - play more soccer, coach |
| attack, flight of the ball must be very acute. | | | | them through the game. |
| But how does a goal keeper react and what to? In | | | | Ask plenty of questions on how they are reading the |
| this instance, the goal keeper will react to a number | | | | game development. |
| of external stimuli, here's a list: | | | | Offer your insights into positions they have taken up |
| - The visual element of the opponent with the ball, | | | | in relation to opponents advances, both strengths |
| are they carrying it, have they got backlift as if | | | | and weaknesses. |
| ready to strike the ball, is the opponent in space and | | | | #3 Speed of reaction - use reaction balls, have goal |
| is their a clear line of sight on goal | | | | keeper starting positions with their back to play and |
| - The auditory element, do they hear the strike of | | | | react to shots, play rebounds off walls. |
| the ball, is it fizzing, does it take a deflection of a | | | | Try not to use your whistle or command as the key |
| player (thud), a shout from a team mate, maybe a | | | | for the reaction as this wouldn't happen in a real |
| close opponent barracking the goalie " he's going to | | | | game so don't practice this way. |
| shoot!" | | | | #4 Speed of feet - always, always warm the |
| All of these stimuli will have an effect on the player. | | | | muscles up before doing any speed work! |
| Once stimulated the player should choose the best | | | | Do some sprints, keep it high intensity with short |
| option available to them to react to that situation. | | | | sharp bursts. Develop good running technique with |
| Again we will use the goalie; | | | | the use of speed ladders and hurdles. |
| If a shot is fizzing towards them low and hard, the | | | | Try using some different starting positions to like |
| pitch is wet and quick, and there are a number of | | | | standing, from a jump and land, on their back, on |
| players the ball has to go through before hitting the | | | | their stomach, incorporate turns, feints and directional |
| target, do they get down low anticipating a clear | | | | changes. |
| strike on goal, have quick feet and get their body in | | | | #5 Skill speed - make your training as game related |
| line with the expected flight path, do they dive | | | | as possible, focusing on speed with the ball, |
| towards the ball, kneel or hack the ball? | | | | movement, game related distances and challenge. |
| The answer to this question lies in the ability, | | | | Hopefully this has given you some good food for |
| confidence and experience of the player. | | | | thought, enjoy your training! |