Off Season Soccer Training
Off season soccer training has two important objectives...
1. Physical recuperation and mental respite from a strenuous season
2. Minimize any losses in strength and conditioning built up over the year.
In fact one of the World's leading strength experts Tudor Bompa, suggests that "off season" is an inappropriate name. Instead he calls it the "transition phase" between two 12month programs.
The worst thing you can do during this time is nothing - especially if you have worked hard to build up your strength and fitness levels over the season. Remember, maintaining 50-60% of your peak fitness level takes less effort than starting from scratch.
And if you do nothing for just 5-6 weeks you will be starting from scratch.
Just as detrimental as doing nothing is maintaining your routine through the closed season. You MUST give your body (and mind) a rest. Even if you feel fresh enough to continue through the off season months, do so and mid way into the following season you could feel completely burnt out.
An off season soccer training program should also focus on rebalancing the body...
Chances are you have a predominant kicking foot. You've placed some muscles, tendons and joints under the same stresses time and time again. Now it's time to focus on stabilizing neglected muscle groups.
The off season soccer training phase should last between 4 and 6 weeks. Less is not enough time for adequate rest. More and you begin to lose significant amounts of the soccer-specific fitness gained from the previous year.
The focus should be on light aerobic endurance exercise and, in some circumstances, some resistance training.
Aerobic Endurance Training
Try to avoid too much running - especially on tarmac. This is a good time to try your hand at different sports or activities. Swimming, tennis, cycling or equipment like rowing machines and cross trainers are all good choices.
Aim for 2-3 sessions of 20-40 minutes per week. If you can, monitor your heart rate and aim for 60-70% of your maximum (maximum heart rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220).
Resistance Training
You can take rest from all forms of resistance training for 4 weeks or so if you wish. However, as maximum strength takes a while to develop it can be a good idea to perform some core stability and stabilizing work in the off season.
That way you can move straight into the maximal strength phase at the start of pre-season preparation.
Two sessions per week is ample. Three is a maximum. Keep them short too - half an hour is reasonable and certainly under 45 minutes. Focus on core stability exercises, hamstring/hip extensor exercises, lower back exercises and functional strength movements (i.e. using a fitness balls and stability boards if you have access to them).
Strength sessions during off season soccer training must also be lighter intensity. No lifting maximum loads or performing sets to fatigue or failure.
Sample Off Season Soccer Training Program
| Sample Off Season Soccer Training Schedule | |
| MON | Functional strength, core training, stability exercises.Swimming 20 mins |
| TUE | Rest |
| WED | Badminton, tennis, squash (take it easy though!) 30-60 mins |
| THU | Rest |
| FRI | Functional strength, core training, stability exercises. swimming 20 mins |
| SAT | Rest |
| SUN | Rest |
Before we wrap up, you should still maintain your flexibility during the off season soccer training phase. Perform 10 minutes of stretching after your workout days (3 days a week).
Conditioning For Every Phase of The Soccer Season
The off season is just one phase in the annual soccer training plan. It paves the way for an effective pre-season, which in turn sets the standard ofr the entire competitive season...
Total Soccr Fitness - a complete guide to soccer conditioning developed by Sport Fitness Advisor - covers every phase of a soccer training program in detail (not just off season soccer training).
It outlines a step-by-step plan for developing soccer specific strength, power, speed and endurance. Along with precise sets, reps and exercise diagrams, it has become an invaluable tool for coaches and players at all levels...
For more information about "Total Soccer Fitness" click here
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