CHAPTER 6: DEVELOPING WHOLE-BODY STRENGTH

As a young player growing up, strength training at practice consisted of a set of push-ups and sit ups at
the end of the session. However, most coaches today realize that developing whole-body strength is
crucial for optimum performance on the soccer field. Your ability to effectively shield the ball from one
or even two defenders; tussle with opponents in 50-50 challenges; and constantly withstand physical
contact throughout the game, will all be greatly influenced by your upper-body, lower-body and core
strength.

Whole-body strength is also necessary for developing so many of the other components of soccer fitness.
Indeed, developing a good strength platform is a prerequisite to training for explosive power, as without
it, your body will not make the same gains and is more likely to get injured. As was discussed in Chapters
4 and 5, developing core and lower body strength is a must for establishing a sound foundation in speed
and agility, especially for movements that require rapid acceleration and deceleration, or change of
direction. A stronger body will also allow players to cope better with the strenuous and physical demands
of a 90-minute match or training, and lessens the chances of injury.

Unfortunately, developing strength can sometimes pose a challenge to coaches, as many teams do not
have access to weight training facilities or qualified strength and conditioning coaches to supervise a
training program. However, integrating an effective strength training program into your overall coaching
plan is easier than it seems and does not require intricate gym equipment. Importantly, many strength
training exercises can be tailored to include a ball component and can be carried out on the training pitch.

Figure 6.1 Strength is a necessary quality when tussling with opponents and shielding the ball