Requirements for Soccer

The sport of soccer requires strength, explosive power, speed & agility, and overall total body strength. When selecting appropriate exercises I use the following guidelines:
1. Train using primarily multi-joint (whole body) exercises
2. Train Explosively when possible (there is no such thing as "slow-speed")
3. Train on your feet when possible (as we play the game)
4. Train using exercises that require placing or supporting weight above your head (to promote core strength and stability)

Youth Fitness Facts

According to research compiled by the Fitness for Youth (FFY) organization, the average American kid gets less than 15 minutes of intentional exercise each day, and only 43 minutes of “moderate” activity. American kids, on average, spend about 20 percent of their time watching television and drink 20 ounces of soda per day.

Half of school-aged children aren’t required to take physical education classes. In fact, only 36 percent report having daily PE classes, while another 36 percent is offered PE twice a week or less. And, in a typical American gym class, less than 30 percent of class time is devoted to actual physical activity.

As kids get older, they’re less likely to work out—especially girls. Boys, on average, exercise about 3 percent less each year, while girls lower their workout rates by almost 8 percent each year.

Flexibility Training

Flexibility training must be viewed as a workout in itself, not a token warm-up or warm-down. For the greatest benefit, flexibility training should begin in the childhood or teenage years and continue through life. The benefits of flexibility training extend to athletes of all ages and abilities, wheteher elite, prfessional, or amatuer.

Quality of movement, is affected by flexibility. When athletes have command of their flexibility, they are able to perform exercise or events more strongly, quickly, and expressively. Flexibility aids in the development of conditioning and coordination as well as generate acceleration over a greater range of motion, thereby increasing speed. Flexibility governs movement. I will be posting some flexibility exercises soon. Stay Tuned!