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By: RalphMcarther Click author's name for more of his/her articles

What to Focus on in Soccer Training

Soccer requires three fundamental skills: agility, speed, and strength. It is obvious why speed is important in soccer: soccer is a fast-paced game. One way you can really add to the success of your team is to be quicker than the other players on the field. Soccer requires both sprinting and long-term speed, so develop your skills in both areas. Agility is another crucial attribute to develop. It is necessary to move with precision around obstacles, make contact with the ball in whatever ways possible, and defend the goal. Though often overlooked, strength training is an area that will help you out-power your opponents. It also gives you the energy and endurance you need to outlast other players on the field. As you work on training exercises to develop these three athletic traits, you will notice that your abilities and your statistics on the field will increase substantially.

Strength Training for Soccer

When it comes to strength training, there are several exercises you can do for soccer. First, take advantage of some of the same practices used for strength training across all sports. Weight lifting, sit-ups and push-ups, and in particular all strength exercises for your leg muscles will benefit you in soccer. There are also exercises you can do that are more tailored to necessary soccer abilities. Stamina is critical in soccer. Try using resistance tools, such as running sleds or parachutes, as you run. Arm strength is especially important for goalies, but it will help any soccer athlete. You may find it useful to purchase a weighted ball to develop arm strength. These balls should not be used for kicking or heading.

The Value of Repetition in Soccer Practice

Repetition during practice is crucial in soccer, as it is in many sports. During soccer practice you will most likely repeat a drill 10 to 20 times before moving on to the next drill. All of these drills will also likely be repeated from practice to practice and from season to season. Most drills are created to focus on developing and refining the basic moves in soccer, including shooting, dribbling, and passing. Though this may be frustrating, players should know that repetition leads to perfection. It is also important for coaches to increase the performance expectations of the particular drill. Repetitive practice is a good way to perfect a skill that a player previously did not possess or was performing incorrectly. The end goal of repetitive drills is for a player to become so good at a certain skill that he or she can perform it flawlessly and reflexively.

Developing a Personal Soccer Training Program

By developing a training program for yourself that allows you to build up skills you are weak on and polish areas where you are proficient, you can become a valuable soccer player. You will need to devise your plan based on how much time you can practice each day or each week. Make sure your schedule and your objectives will push you to excel but will also work with your needs and your schedule. Above all else, be consistent about when and how long you practice. Next, think about your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to physical fitness and soccer abilities. Evaluate yourself on strength, speed, agility, and accuracy, and rank them in order of how much practice you need. Then proportion your time accordingly. For example, if you are a really accurate, warm up with a few accuracy exercises, and then move on to building strength and speed. If you are not sure where to start, check with a coach or a parent for advice.

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