III. The Competitive Season

Pre Season would start with evaluation and testing. Some of the tests were listed in the summer program. Pre season is a demanding period of two a day practices. Work not done during the summer will be immediately exposed.
Pre season two-a-days is physically, mentally and psychologically demanding. The athletes are asked to perform under stress. The stress of making the team, learning tactical objectives, improve fitness, and show the ability perform all put great strain on the athlete. Care must be given to moderate the practices to maximize productivity while minimizing the risk of injury. Rest and recovery time is also essential. Technical and tactical training are combined with fitness in a variety of ways. Early preseason finds aerobic training giving way to anaerobic conditioning.
By the end of preseason the player must be fit enough to endure the rigors of match conditions. A certain level of competence in the four pillars (technical, tactical, psychological and physical fitness) of competition must be attained.
The objective is not to start the season in “tip-top” shape. The objective is to be approximately 3/4 of the way. Throughout the season we now look to peak going into the last 1/3 of competition. Daily practices will consist of technical work, tactical work, team structure and fitness. The fitness will be derived from work done additionally with interval training, circuits, plyometrics etc. based on the game schedule.

IV. Injuries and Prevention.

Soccer is a demanding game with the intricacies of technical and tactical proficiency coupled with a high work rate of those competing. Soccer is a simple game yet the components making up the game provide a physical and mental challenge to the athletes. The nature of the game leads to the exposure of the player to a wide variety of potential injuries. Common sense is the guide to preventing injuries. Providing a safe environment (field conditions, types of activities, use of shin guards for practice etc.), giving quality instructions in the technical and tactical components, and providing sufficient down time for the player to rejuvenate their minds and bodies are all steps necessary to keeping athletes healthy. Knowing when to recognize fatigue and its effects on the player is an important duty as the coach.
Common concerns regarding soccer players include but are not limited to: heat exhaustion and heat stroke, sprains and strains of knees and ankles, shin splints and plenty of knocks, contusions and bruises. While as a coach we may have knowledge of treating such injuries, the existence of qualified training personnel is the only course to be taken in the event of injury. Coaches should limit diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and defer to professional guidance from the athletic training staff.


References:
Dr. Fahey’s Principles of Sport and Fitness Training
Soccer and Science: Tim Levendusky Ph.D Ex. Science and Sport Sociology
Schellas Hyndman – Soccer Coach SMU
Griz Zimmerman – Strength Coach SMU

III. Spring Season

The Spring Season is characterized by a combination of small-sided games, moderate aerobic and anaerobic training and weight training. The training environment we will be 3 – 4 times a week. Combinations of technical and tactical training utilizing interval training, circuit training, plyometrics, and stations combined with small – sided games will keep the player moderately fit based on the needs of the group. Spring is also a good time to vary the routine with things like fartlek runs and cross training. Creativity is the key. Our objective is overall body conditioning.
Three days a week of weight training would also be a part of our general fitness regimen. You may want to would utilize 2 of these days in the weight room and use the third day as a special day. The special day could consist of a variety of activities a little different than the traditional weight room lifting. The special day would be on an actual practice day and consist of activities such as: medicine ball training, throwing and carrying the “rock”, resistance training using rubber bands, some of the “farmer carries” etc. This full body fitness in a little bit of a special environment would help break up the monotony of training, hopefully increasing the training motivation of the player. The three weight days would focus on both upper and lower body strengthening. The weight training would involve pulls, squats, presses, curls extensions etc. In general upper body strength is somewhat ignored in training soccer players. The spring training season is a good time to have a greater focus on developing upper body strength that will be beneficial for the player in the upcoming season.
A great time to build confidence and motivate players.

This is an excerpt from a manual written by one of the top coaches in the country.

I. Introduction

In the United States, there are over 20 million youth players that participate in the game of soccer. Unfortunately, our youth system hinders the development of the true player. Too much structure, an overemphasis of winning at an early age, and lack of quality youth coaches are all factors that have led to the lack of soccer players and produced masses that play at soccer. Twice a week training, over scheduling and winning comes first - has morphed our youth system into a pressure packed environment. For the most part, kids in this country don’t play because they “love the game.” They are transported to practices and games; yet rarely find themselves out in a park playing the sport for the sheer enjoyment of it. Their total integration and immersion in the sport is based on what occurs in a formal and structured practice environment. This creates a void in the “spirit” as soccer players. Uninhibited passion and play evokes greater creativity, a greater “feel” for the game and in the end – a soccer player.

II. A Year Round Sport

A soccer player plays the game 12 months a year, never goes anywhere without a ball and would head to the park for a pick-up game at the drop of a hat. A soccer player loves to spend time juggling, banging a ball up against a wall and playing any form of game with anyone willing to share a ball. Playing the game with this spirit is what keeps a player in shape. It is rare that you meet a soccer player that is ever out of shape. Why? Because they’re always playing. The ideal method to keep the soccer player fit during off-season months is to have the player in scenarios of small – sided games. 4 v 4 to 6 v 6 is the ideal number. These ranges of number provide the best possible physical, technical and tactical environment for development. 1 v 1 to 3v3 will also provide fitness but are limited in some tactical aspects. Larger than 6 will reduce the number of technical touches and allow players to “hide” from a fitness standpoint.

Stay tuned, more to follow...

Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqm5zavFlM0

Having fun while having fun.

See the difference playing with a smaller livelier ball will make in your game.
Cosistent use of a futebol in every session improves soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increases overall skill. You will see the difference!

The strength the the local currency is making the pay more attractive in Brazil. Maybe not the cream of the crop, but top players are more willing to stay home. How will this affect the game?

See this months Bloomberg magazine for the article on currencies and soccer.

See the difference in training with different balls.
Training with a smaller, livelier ball will enhance focus and soften touch. Consistent use of a smaller, bouncier ball will improve touch and make playing with a regular game ball much easier.
Mater the rubber ball and see the difference.

The Brasilian Futebol improves soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increases overall skill. It can be used for technical training, individual skill development or in small games. Consistent use of the futebol will produce measurable results.
The futebol should be part of every soccer training package.