It has been common practice for the past few decades to have soccer players training like distance runners. Many High school soccer players even run track or cross country in order to stay in shape for the season. I whole-heartedly support staying active year round and have no issues with dual or tri sport athletes, however track is a sport onto itself and should not be used in order to "train" for an alternate sport season. The metabolic or energy system demands for soccer are very specific and to ensure optimal success they must be trained properly. Soccer is a game involving shorts sprints on an average of 10-15 yards throughout the course of ninety minute of play culminating in a total volume of 4-6 miles depending on team style and level of play. Running at a continuous submaximal pace for over 1.5 miles highly reduces an athlete's explosive power and sprint potential. A fair amount of high level coaches are still teaching endurance running as part of the soccer fitness training and have yet to adapt past the traditional methods. As a collegiate strength coach I have personally seen several teams who are in tremendous "shape" from a fitness standpoint and can run several miles with minimum stress to the body. Unfortunately, speed was a noticeable detriment in the team's game. As the level of game rises from recreational to club, Division III Collegiate to Division I Collegiate , the stamina of a player's speed is what separates good players from great players. Developing speed and maintaining stamina through maximal speed bursts followed by recovery at a submaximal pace. Soccer athletes who want to progress to their full potential should be educated in proper running mechanics. It is a necessity to work on maximal sprint effort at volume. Common ways to accomplish these training demands include Fartlek training, which is repeated maximal speed sprints with full recovery jogs between exertions. I have also used repeat 300 yard sprints to great success utilizing a 1:2 work to rest ratio with volumes building up to 10 sprints. A personal favorite drill for building strength and sprint stamina for soccer in a team setting is a mix of Calisthenic strength activity and an alternating combination of long and short sprints. Come on in and ask about it... Work Hard, Work Smart, Play Better!
Wise
