Learning to play soccer (especially for individuals aspiring to play competitively) takes a lot of time and dedication. Excelling at any sport is difficult but advanced skills in the sport of soccer can be almost impossible for some athletes to achieve.
Not only do soccer players need to perfect their aim, have quick reflexes and think on their feet but their cardiovascular system needs to be in impeccable shape to last upwards of 90 minutes on the field.
When creating a soccer training program, there are a few specific areas you need to consider. Making sure put the appropriate amount of work into each area will ensure best results. Below are the 3 areas of soccer training every athlete should master before hitting the pitch:
1. Fitness. Soccer players need to be fast and accurate. Speed and agility are two of the most important qualities of a soccer player. To master these skills, try doing at least 50 suicides during every practice.
2. Technique. It’s important to be fast and agile but if you don’t have the skills to support the pace, you’ll be relatively useless on the field. Practicing ball control, kicking, heading, dribbling and tackling during every practice will make sure you nail these techniques during the next big game.
3. Strategy. You can be the fastest player on the pitch with dribbling skills and ball control to boot but if you can’t make up your mind fast enough once you’ve received the ball, you’ll never get the chance to execute your skills. Practicing passing, clearance, and shooting will ensure you’re prepared once you receive the ball.
A consistent workout schedule with elements from each of the three areas above will ensure you’re getting the results you need from your soccer training program. A balance between strength, speed and strategy will make sure that you’re equipped to handle whatever gets thrown at you on the field. With some hard work and dedication, you’ll be the best player on the field next season.
So start working out and getting fit – those goals aren’t going to score themselves.
