May 19, 2012

RESEARCH: Enhancing Max Velocity Sprints with Weight Vests and Sled Pulls

acceleration.small

A recent study on 20 college players from the Haverford College’s Athletic Department was performed by the University of Pennsylvania’s Human Performance Laboratory (Authors Clark, K., Stearne, D., Walts, C., and Miller, A. – Published in the December 2010 – Vol. 24 No. 12 Issue of the [...]

Pre-Season Week 4: Final Week

Here it is, the final week of the Inaugural Off-Season/Pre-Season Training Program at the Soccer F.I.T. Academy (OP Soccer Complex Location). Over the last 16 weeks we have trained (in many cases) harder than ever before, we have pushed our toughness and our fitness levels to levels that we didn’t think we could. We also [...]

Pre-Season Week 2:

There are only 3 weeks left until our spring season gets underway, and as I look out the window all I see is snow! Well, ice and snow really… How are players supposed to get ready to perform if they can’t get outside and play? You do the best you can!
I had a discussion with [...]

Creating a More Athletic Soccer Player…Part 10 (last post)

Christine Soccer vs. BSS #2

Structured Periodization for Peak Performance:
As the athlete begins to specialize in soccer and has laid down a solid foundation of both athletic and soccer technical skills, it is time to begin planning out their training. This becomes essential as we want the players to be able to perform their best in peaking phases and critical [...]

Creating a More Athletic Soccer Player…Part 9

colt henning headder

Part 9:  Introducing Tactics / Use of Strength, Speed and Technical Ability with a Purpose:
 
The tactical portion of the pyramid represents games, scrimmages and tactical practice sessions. This is where the player draws from their entire developmental foundation and begins to take the combination of athleticism and skill and blend it beautifully with other players [...]