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Parent Category: Soccer Aerobic Fitness Category: Aerobic Fitness Science

Introduction
Periodization is derived from 'Period' which is a division of time into smaller, easy-to-manage segments. In our case ''Training Periods'. Specifically,
periodization is the division of a yearly training plan into training phases which apply to the principles of training. Work load and intensity of training programs in
split into successive small units ranging from one week to a full year. Each segment of training targets a specific type of training (i.e. skill, speed, strength,
stamina and suppleness (the five S’s). In football these fitness attributes need to be blended with both technical and tactical training. A well designed training
Add your favorite Tactical Sessions here program takes into account both the physiological and psychological needs of players.

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To acheive mamximum performance and effective training it is the coaches responsibility to properly periodize and plan the training for the year. The
development of skills and psychological attributes should follow a logical sequence.

Our goal is to have our players peak at the optimal times (i.e. Competition). Deficient preparation will result in less than optimal performance. Planning a ^ back to top

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Football Periodization For A Football Season http://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/aerobic-fitness-science/football-periodization

successful training plan isa two way process between the coaching staff and players to develop a realistic and attainable schedule with a balance between
Add your favorites Technical Sessions here training and recovery. Inexperienced players and youth players are dependent on their coaches to develop these plans.

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Plans should be designed using a sequential approach. A well organized plan will result in the desired psychological and physiological adaptation to the
player. The duration of phases depends heavily on the time the players needs to increase training level and also the timing of competition where peak
performance is desired. Single season sports have an annual plan called a monocycle; since there is only one competitive phase, there is only one peak or
competitive phase (Fig 1).

Soccer Drills

Football Drills

Technical Soccer Drills

Finishing Soccer Drills

Attacking Soccer Drills

Defending Soccer Drills

Passing Soccer Drills

Small Sided Games


Fig 1. Relationship of Volume, Intensity and Technique in Training Plan
Phases of Play

Functional Drills
The Yearly Training Plan (or Cycle) is conventionally divided into three main phases:
Soccer Fitness Preparatory (General & Specific)
Competitive
Transition (Recovery)

The preparatory and competitive phases are divided into two sub-phases because their tasks are different. The preparatory phase has a general and a specific
subphase, based on the different characteristics of training, and the competitive phase usually is preceded by a short precompetitive subphase. A complete
training program can span from 3 months to 12 months. The 12 month program is called the Yearly Training Plan (YTP).

The Sub-phases of training can be further divided into the following terminology:

Microcycle – Shortest period of training – usually one week but can vary from 4 to 10 days.
Mesocycle – A group of microcycles – usually one month but can vary from 2 to 4 weeks
Macrocycle – A small group of Mesocycles – usually three months but can vary considerably

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Football Periodization For A Football Season http://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/aerobic-fitness-science/football-periodization

Fig 2. Breakdown of a Basic Annual Plan

The Football Season (Bi-Cycle)

For a standard football season we have two seasons of competition (bi-cycle). Optimal performance can be acheived for approx. 8 week periods. Intensity
and volume (extent) of our training are principle opposites. Therefore, if our training intensity is high, our volume should be low. In the build up to games the
volume should be cut back, but the intensity can remain high. As the competitive phase approaches the training volume curve decreases drastically while the
intensity curve increases. During a season (competition) there are limited opportunities to train in high volume due to games resulting in deteriorating
endurance. During the second half of the competition phases the extent should be increased to compensate for this. During the preparatory and early
competitive phases, emphasize training volume with low levels of intensity according to the specifics of the sport. During this period quantity of work should
dominate. Opposed to the competitive phase when you emphasize work intensity or quality. Note also, Preparatory phase I. which should be the longer
preparatory phase. A bi-cycle consists of two short monocycles linked through a short unloading/transition and preparatory phase. For each cycle, the
approach may be similar except for training volume, which in preparatory phase I is of much higher magnitude than in preparatory phase II.

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Football Periodization For A Football Season http://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/aerobic-fitness-science/football-periodization

Fig 3. Relationship of Volume and Intensity over a Bi-Cycle Season

Types of Training (Generic vs Specific)

The majority of training for football fitness should be soccer-specific training (Approx. 80:20). The only purpose of non-related (general) fitness (i.e. running,
cross training, etc) is to increase a players basic fitness levels or to aid in maintaining them. This type of training is appropriate during off-season periods when
players are away from regular team training.

It should be noted that in youth soccer due to the stop and start nature of developing players, that there is the argument that we are unable to create the
necessary overload. Coaches should carefully design their drills and games to create physical overload or simplify them. For example, increasing the playing
area of the exercise, reducing the number of players, limiting touches, etc.

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Football Periodization For A Football Season http://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/aerobic-fitness-science/football-periodization

Fig 4. Types of Training for an Annual Plan

TIPS

An important part of planning microcycles is to maintain scheduling consistency throughout the year. For instance, if games (competition) always fall on a
Saturday, then special endurance training should always be on a Saturday (mirroring a game). The body remembers and if each microcycle begins with
high volume and ends with race pace work
(day 6) and recovery (day 7) then that should be maintained throughout the year. (T. Bompa)
Individual characteristics, psychophysiological abilities, diet, and regeneration increase this difficulty.
Creating effective annual training plans is an iterative process and you will be continually improving and adjusting plans from year to year.
Consider climate changes and facilities in your plan design.
A monocycle or bi-cycle year for novice and junior athletes is the maximum. The advantage of such a plan is that it has long preparatory phases, free from
the stress of competitions. This allows the coach to concentrate on developing skills and a strong foundation of physical training.
Stress is a significant by-product of training and competition which can alter performance. Periodization is an important tool in properly planning for
anticipated stress. Generally stress follows training intensity patterns.
Bompa states: that athletes' psychological behavior depends on their physiological wellbeing. In other words, athletes' mental state is a by product of their
physiological condition. This is why I believe that, "Perfect fitness results in the best psychology!

References:

Theory and Methodology of Training -by Tudor O. Bompa, PhD

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