SoccerFIT Academy - Functionally Integrated Training
Functionally Integrated Training for Soccer
In this post we are comparing the weighted jump squat to unweighted jump squats (counter movement jump), and commenting on which weighted version might be more similar in pattern to the unweighted jumps. When working with younger athletes in a developmental stage, we need to continue to focus on the movement of the exercise and [...]
Two of the most discussed aspects associated with injury risk reduction during the season are: 1) lower limb symmetry and 2) force absorption qualities. We used a Hop and Stop test of bilateral force production / force absorption, and the results showed a tremendous gain in symmetry in both the hopping and leaping exercises. We [...]
As we enter our second week of the 2011 spring season with our research group of U12-U14 soccer players, we are very excited about the progress have made in just one week. Each week moving forward we will highlight a specific portion of our program with video, commentary or testing results. Today we wanted to [...]
We are now getting into the phase 2 portion of our plyometric program and I thought I would take a second to put up a short video that explain why we incorporate this phase. This phase bridges the gap between our jumping and landing program (Phase 1) and our stretch shortening cycle phase (Phase 3). [...]
There are a few exercises that we teach at the Soccer F.I.T. Academy that really help us develop our soccer specific strength and power, and thus set the stage for explosive speed and agility. However, 2 of these exercises have many variations that can dramatically effect the outcome of the exercise. After posting yesterdays video, [...]
The Cruyff turn is one of the most common and popular turns in soccer. It is easy to learn, yet so many players have trouble using it to their advantage. This week at FIT, we noticed almost every player used the Cruyff turn as their “go-to” way of changing direction. This, I must say, is [...]
Many of our body weight oriented strength training programs for the younger age groups use variations of push ups, pull ups, squats, lunges and step ups where the player will use their own body weight for resistance instead of dumbbells or barbells. This is great for most exercises, but when it comes to doing pull [...]
This week we are going to focus on one of the key exercises in our warm up…the Box Assisted Hamstring Curls with a Partner. We stumbled upon using the boxes as some of our players were not strong enough to get all the way into a push up position without losing the core contraction. Instead [...]
I often refer to our “Stair Program” in these posts and many times I get questions about what we do on the stairs. “Do you just sprint up the stairs?” and “How does this differ from your box jump program?” are a few of the more common questions. I thought I would take minute to [...]
What does it mean when someone says, “We train MOVEMENTS, not MUSCLES,” as they discuss their philosophy on training? As far as I know Vern Gambetta, was one of the first to coin that phrase, and since then it has become the driving force behind the Functional Training Cult. You hear these words thrown around [...]
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