Professional Documents
Culture Documents
March 2014
Understand the role of the coach in fitness development for youth athletes
Understand how to design a training program for elite U13 soccer players
Coaches must be present and actively involved in all their teams fitness training
sessions run by the Fitness Coach
Help the Fitness Coach with set-up and organization of the session
Monitor the training, and help to motivate the players and ensure a high
training intensity
In the absence of the Fitness Coach, coaches must have the proper knowledge and
ability to run warm-ups and energy system training with the ball as part of their own
training sessions
Always be conscious of the intensity and work-to-rest ratios of all the on-field
work you do
U15 Boys:
Optimal window for
speed and power
development
Boys
U13 Girls:
Optimal window for
speed development
Girls
U15 Girls:
Optimal window for
muscular strength
development
U13 Boys:
Optimal window for
aerobic endurance
development
U11
U13
U15
U17
Chronological Age
7
Boys:
Boys:
Boys:
U13 boys age group has not yet reached their window of
opportunity for speed development, thus the focus
should be more on speed endurance training, rather
than speed training. Use a 30-second, high intensity
work period, with 2 to 3 minutes of rest in between
10
Boys:
12
1.
1.
13
14
3. Science-Based Training
4. Customization and Periodization of Training
5. Athlete / Coach Education and Awareness
6. Enjoyment
15
Key Concepts:
Athletes should be assessed using the most current sport-specific testing protocols
For the U13 age category, fitness assessments should be done at the end of the
season (October/November of 2014)
Initially, at U13, the Fitness Coach and Coach should monitor the intensity of
training and games subjectively
Introduce the concept of players self monitoring and reporting using rating of
perceived exertion (RPE) at the U14 age category and up
Athletes should periodically re-tested with the ultimate goal of continuous athletic
improvement
16
Key Concepts:
17
Key Concepts:
Ensure to use the latest and most up-to-date research from the worlds leading
sports science research institutions and studies
Only tell athletes to do things which have been scientifically proven to generate
results
18
Key Concepts:
Fitness programs must be customized to the individual based on the results of their
fitness assessments
Training programs must also be periodized according to the athletes team training
and game schedule in order to facilitate peak/optimal development at the optimal
time for each individual athlete
In General, training should follow this model:
Progress from general (without the ball) to specific (with the ball) exercises
19
Key Concepts:
Education is an important tool to help engage young athletes and instill the
importance of training in their overall development
Continuous education on the part of the coach will help ensure that programs evolve
over time to incorporate the latest and most effective research
20
Key Concepts:
Fitness programs must be designed with the enjoyment of the athlete in mind
Combine a professional approach with the right mix of competition and games
If athletes enjoy the training process they will want to continue and come back for
more
21
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