by Tim Carter

Created on: July 09, 2008

It is essential to understand the nature of a soccer match and also its' differences for individual types of player before introducing a guide to soccer fitness.In the modern era soccer requires a high level of cardiovasular fitness as teams now require their players to be interchangeable during a match and confident in different situations.If you are playing against a team with a high level of technical ability who pass and keep the ball well, then it will be important for your players to be highly conditioned in order to quickly track opponents to force them to make mistakes and gain control of the ball.Individual programmes on gym equipment such as treadmills,bikes,rowing machines and cross trainers are an ideal way to achieve the base level of soccer fitness.

Cardiovascular fitness is the start not the end to soccer fitness.Without it you will struggle in important fixtures,but the next step is to consider the typical pattern of play within soccer matches.Players need to be alert at all times, and as play develops on one side of the pitch it may require a steady jog to get into a useful position followed by a lightening sprint to get on the end of a cross.This staccatto pattern holds true for all players and although a goalkeeper does a lot less jogging around he will need to be ready to sprint to claim or kick the ball first in certain situations. This type of fitness can be achieved as a team using a range of drills out on the practice pitch.Examples could include players pairing up and jogging around the outside of the pitch and then on hearing the whistle of the coach the back pairing will need to sprint to the front and so on.Possible match situations can be replicated in training that will lead to this type of fitness include crossing balls in from one side of the pitch for players to accelerate from a jog to a sprint to enable them to reach the ball.

Complementing the two aspects of soccer fitness detailed above is the important consideration of an individuals chosen playing position and what type of fitness has benefitted him in that position to attain success.Goalkeepers require specialist trainers to ensure their upper bodies are strong and agile.Defenders who are most adept at tackling will need strength training using weights to enable them to maintain the best physique for winning challenges.Midfielders will need to cover the most ground during a match and will need to cope with endurance training whilst an edge in speed is often a forwards best fitness weapon although a tall target style striker will need to match the physical strength of defenders to win aerial battles.

Practicing ball skills and technicque is essential for all types of player and will contribute to the underlying fitness levels.Mental fitness should not be under-estimated for soccer success and the manager and coaching staff will have a vital role here in instilling the belief in their players that they can win every game even in the face of adversity.The final part of soccer fitness is what players do away from the ground and is common to all sports.Eating a balanced diet with nutritional foods,resting properly before and after a game and deciding which aspects may need to be improved before the next match are all components for reaching the highest level.

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