What every coach should know about developing a conditioning porgramme for their squad.

Seven Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Introducing A Conditioning Programme Into Your Squad

In our other articles on Soccer Conditioning Training For Youth Squads you should understand that as long as you are appreciative that children, both boys and girls, all develop at different ages then ther is no reason why you shouldn't be able to develop a programme for youht players.

However, with that said, you should bear these questions in mind and answer them before embarking on your programme.

Questions you should ask yourself...

1. Are your players ready to participate physically in a conditioning programme?
2. Are the players ready mentally and emotionally?
3. Do you understand the correct techniques and have suitable knowledge of the process?
4. Is your conditioning programme planned and suitable for the players age and ability and most of all safe?
5. Do you have a definitive purpose why you are embarking on a conditioning programme?
6. Have you involved the parents/guardians as part of this deicision?
7. Have you made sure that you are aware of any relevant, medical or physical injury history of players in your squad?

If your answer is vague or a definite NO to any of the above then take some time out and develop your reasons for undertaking the programme a little further.

However, if you are happy that you can satisfy all of the above questions then here is a soccer conditioning drill that you can use in your soccer training.

This is a drill that I set up to work the players in groups of three. I tend to set up five stations so that the whole squad is working all of the time and at a similiar intensity.

If you have a look at the video drill all is explained, however here are some instructions too so that you can print this page off and take it to your next session.

Aim : Sprint agility work, ball skill included Kit Needed : Five cones, three players and a ball per station Duration : 10 - 15 minutes Repetitions : 4 - 6 sprints per player in the time allocated

The drill starts with the server who plays a ball to the left of the player stood in between the server and the runner.

A couple of one two combination passes take place between the server and the runner, after the second wall pass the runner then turns and sprints towards cone #1, they then shuffle laterally to cone #2, jog backwards and diagonally to cone #3, shuffle laterally to cone #4 then turn and sprint back to the start again.

When they return to the start they take up the position of server.

While the runner has been putting in the effort, the takes up the position of the middle person, and the middle person takes up the position of the runner.

The type of movement that the runner is making, would be typical of a midfield, defender or stiker closing down opponents trying to prevent passing channels and retreating to a starting position.

The ball can also be used as part of this conditioning drill. The variation would be that as the runner players a wall pass before they set off on their run, they should receive the ball again and then carry the ball while still completing the circuit.

If you are to introduce the ball as per the variation, unless all your players are comfortable and quick at carrying the ball, the tempo of the drill may drop slightly.

Remember, this drill is meant to be undertaken at high velocity. The runner should be trying to complete their shuttle sprinting, not jogging, they will get some rest time in between shuttles.

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