| The game of soccer has changed over the last ten | | | | Here are the top five reasons youth soccer players |
| to fifteen years and there are now many reasons to | | | | need to train for strength and power: |
| put young soccer players on strength and power | | | | 1) Confidence - strong and powerful players develop |
| training program. | | | | amazing inner strength, they believe they can achieve |
| But first, keep in mind these are not programs that | | | | anything on the field. |
| turn your son or daughter into a body builder. | | | | 2) Speed - Naturally by slightly increasing a player's |
| In the past many coaches would have their players | | | | strength and power they will improve speed on the |
| do push ups and sit ups as well as go for 40 minute | | | | field. This is a quality that all coaches at any level look |
| conditioning runs. This now is outdated soccer | | | | for in a player. |
| conditioning. This type of soccer training leads to | | | | 3) Injury Prevention - players need the strength to |
| weakness, postural imbalances and over use injuries. | | | | stop instantly under control then explosively change |
| It is for these reasons that youth soccer players | | | | direction. |
| (male and female) from age eight and up need to be | | | | 4) Long Term Strength Development - players who |
| on some sort of strength and conditioning program. | | | | focus on distance running weaken the development |
| In the past, before the convenience of text | | | | of fast twitch muscle fiber needed for strength and |
| messaging and computers, young athletes would be | | | | power. It is absolutely necessary to focus on |
| in the street, in a park or at a playground playing and | | | | strength and power development between the ages |
| being active. Unfortunately many young soccer | | | | of 13-17. Conditioning for soccer is done with high |
| players are easily entertained by just sitting on their | | | | intensity interval training. |
| "buttocks" watching a screen. | | | | 5) Burn Fat - Both male and female players I have |
| There is a rise in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) | | | | worked with who had low fitness levels due to high |
| tears in females. Recently I had to inform a thirteen | | | | levels of body fat were able to make significant |
| year old girl and her father that she completely tore | | | | changes over a three to four month time span. A |
| her ACL. The injury occurred in an indoor league. Now | | | | smiling face speaks volumes. |
| she needs to build back her strength and power. The | | | | In summary the time is now to change from |
| orthopedic surgeon decided against a repair at the | | | | outdated long runs, sit-ups and push ups to current |
| time because her growth plates had yet to fill in. | | | | training methods to build strength and power for |
| It is time to move forward and build strength and | | | | your child or team. |
| power to prevent these types of injuries. | | | | |