Complete Conditioning for Soccer

The future of soccer conditioning has arrived.

With content ranging from how to properly develop speed, strength, power, and agility in players at all levels to unique position-specific training guidelines and detailed return-to-play protocols, Complete Conditioning for Soccer is a real game changer.

Training protocols and progressions, complete with schematics of on-field conditioning drills, guide conditioning for players from youth to professional levels. Field players of every position will increase strength to dribble through traffic. Forwards will pack more power into shots on goal. Central midfielders will improve quickness and agility to find open passing lanes and evade opponents. Goalkeepers will develop the explosiveness to cover the width of the goal to make that save.

Emphasizing player movement and conditioning needs for the long term, you will learn the positional and seasonal demands that directly impact player development and performance and discover the significant differences between playing styles, positions, levels of play, and genders.

To keep players game-ready, you’ll find detailed information on avoiding some of the most common soccer injuries as well as step-by-step, position-specific training protocols for players returning from injury.

Written by Ryan Alexander, the director of sports science for Atlanta United Football Club (MLS), Complete Conditioning for Soccer takes the process of physical preparation for soccer to a whole new level.

Audience

Strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers who work with soccer players, as well as soccer coaches and players seeking the best ways to condition for the sport.

Chapter 1. Physical Demands of Soccer
Chapter 2. Fitness Assessment and Evaluation
Chapter 3. Conditioning for Soccer
Chapter 4. Strength Training
Chapter 5. Power Development
Chapter 6. Speed and Agility
Chapter 7. Match and Training Preparation
Chapter 8. Periodization and Programming
Chapter 9. Recovery
Chapter 10. Injury Prevention, Injury Management, and Return to Play

Ryan Alexander, PhD, CSCS, is the director of sports science for Atlanta United Football Club (MLS). Prior to this, he worked at the U.S. Soccer Federation, serving as a sports scientist for the U.S. men’s national team and as a physiologist for the U.S. women’s and youth national teams. He also worked as a strength coach, sports scientist, and goalkeeper coach at the Olympic Training Center and at East Tennessee State University.

Alexander’s extensive background in soccer includes work as an assistant coach at Barry University in Florida where he received his master’s degree. He received his doctorate in sport physiology and performance from East Tennessee State University.

Assessing a soccer player's fitness level with the Yo-Yo endurance test (beep test)
Building strength for soccer with the rear foot elevated split squat
The physical demands of soccer on an external defender
The right way to return from a soccer injury