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Monthly Soccer Conditioning Tip

Utilizing Soccer Specific Movements for the Interval Running Program

Soccer is a sport that requires anaerobic energy demands. To meet those anaerobic energy demands, it is vital to implement an interval running program that is structured properly to help soccer athletes meet specific game conditioning needs. Typical interval running programs utilized by soccer athletes(as with athletes, who participate in other anaerobic sports) involve straight ahead sprints of various distances. However, soccer athletes obviously utilize various types of other running patterns, besides only straight ahead sprints during actual game conditions.

They also utilize a variety of footwork patterns and agility movements during their game running movements. Therefore, it would seem logical that a well designed interval running program for soccer athletes would be set up to incorporate the variety of running patterns and foot movements that are utilized during game conditions. An interval running program can be implemented about 2-3 months prior to the start of the soccer season. Even before utilizing a structured interval running program, you should take a few weeks to establish a general aerobic base by doing some long distance running(30-60 minutes).

It is also a good idea to mix in some high intensity sprints during those long distance runs, as it gets closer to the time that you plan to utilize an interval running program. The focus of the interval running program should start non-specific(typical forward sprints) and progress to specific(specialized running patterns and foot movements) as the beginning of the season approaches. Various running patterns can include backpedals, curved runs, diagonal runs, and runs with specific cutting movements. Various foot movements can include shuffle steps, drop steps, and carioca steps. There are a variety of ways to mix in the different foot movements, among the various running patterns to produce some creative options to the interval running program.

As in all components of a soccer strength & conditioning program, the goal of interval running is to utilize drills that best transfer to the field of play to help improve overall performance. The New Wave Soccer Conditioning Program offers a structured interval running program, based on the components of this article, to help maximize soccer specific conditioning.

Michael Rose, MS, CSCS, offers an on-line, soccer specific strength & conditioning program with videos at www.newwavesoccer.com

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Play Soccer With Pele

We at 360 Soccer came into possesion of a "Play Football with Pele", 1976, and honestly believe we needed to share the numerous invaluable soccer lessons provided by "O Rei" in this book. The game of Soccer will become more fun and rewarding if you take the time to learn his lessons about the game and life as presented in these pages. Just click on the Pele image to link to this tremendous training guide.

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