Developing Soccer Strength
September 11, 2008
Did you know that strength is your inherent capacity to manifest energy, endure, and to resist external forces? Sounds like a mouthful eh? Well, it makes more sense once you understand that there are different types of strengths such as; basic strength, hypertrophy, maximal, explosive power and muscular endurance.
These types of strengths can all be developed in various ways and some are more important to soccer players than others. For example, hypertrophy is not as important to develop in soccer players versus developing explosive power and muscular endurance. So what exactly should soccer players be doing to build explosive power and muscular endurance?
Soccer specific strength training
Specific training programs for footballers should consider exercises such as plyometrics. Plyometrics are designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system. Generally, for the purpose of improving performance in soccer, plyometric excercises are a great place to start.
Now, there are many different types of exercises one can do and find so here is a great resource you can use to get started << animated plyometrics >>. Along with those exercises there is more information that is provided here and is specific to soccer players.
5 Ideas for Action:
1. Contact your team fitness coach or local football association for information on how to obtain an expert program specifically suited to your playing position in football.
2. Out of season, look to maintain overall fitness levels. If possible try to join a gym, get a licensed fitness instructor that will be available to advise you which weights are suited to increase overall muscle strength as a footballer.
3. Get a workout partner, it’s always a great motivational aid and a good safety precaution.
4. Allow time for your muscles to recover, any good program will have a tapering period built in, this allows your body to recover and become stronger.
5. Attend public viewngs or professional training sessions held by top professional or university clubs in your area to see how they develop player strength.
As part of FFC’s series on, “24 Key Elements To Being A Great Footballer” we are discussing each key element in 24 successive blog posts every Monday, Wednesday & Friday over an 8 week period inside the respective Game, Body and Mind sections. For more information about the 24 Key Elements get our Players Assessment Kit here.
What ideas, information of other exercises could you share?
