FOOTBALL TRAINING

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This section of the site is dedicated to football training and conditioning.

The foundation of any effective football conditioning program is strength training.

Absolute or maximal strength in and of itself is not enough though – not if football players want to reach their full potential.

To gain the greatest advantage, gains in maximal strength should be converted into explosive power. Don’t confuse the two – there is a crucial difference…

Power is a combination of strength and speed. A player who can bench press 300lbs is not necessarily more powerful than a player who can bench press 250lbs for example.

And in football, with all other factors equal, the player with the greater power will come out on top.

Of course, maximal strength training still plays a key role in a football training program. In the articles below we’ll look at other forms of training that can help to convert maximal strength into explosive power.

What other football-specific elements of fitness are important in becoming the best player you can?

  • Maximum speed, acceleration and agility
  • Muscular endurance
  • Flexibility and mobility

Notice aerobic endurance doesn’t appear in the list above?

While endurance IS important, long distance running to build an aerobic base can be detrimental to the football player. Football-specific interval training is much more beneficial.

Take a look through the articles below as we uncover some of the key principles involved in the complete football training approach.


Football Training Programs & Articles

The Complete 12-Month Football Training Program
This is where it all comes together – all the individual sessions and components of fitness into one, cohesive, highly effective program…

Strength Training for Football – The Elite Approach
Weight training is fundamental in football but few players get it right. Learn exactly how to maximize every session in the weight room…

Cutting Edge Football Strength Training Program for Hypertrophy
Football players are one of the few groups of athletes who need to train for size and bulk. This program shows you how…

Cutting Edge Football Strength Training Program for Maximal Strength
At least one phase of your football strength training program should build maximal strength. And that takes a very different approach than bodybuilding…

Speed Training for Football – Become Blazingly Fast
No doubt about it… the highest ranked players are fast. But it’s not top speed that makes the difference…

Using Power Cleans in Sports Conditioning
Power cleans can be useful for developing explosive power in football. Use this technique guide and animated images to see how the lift should be performed…

Plyometric Training for Sport-Specific Power
This article outlines the basics – sets, repetitions, rest intervals, exercise selection safety considerations – for putting together an effective plyometric football training session

Core Strength Conditioning For Athletes
It’s still a buzz word in the fitness industry, but core strength training has been used by top coaches for years. Use these exercises to develop your center of power…

Medicine Ball Exercises
Medicine balls are an excellent tool for re-creating throws in football

Power Training For Sport
Many athletes require explosive power to be successful in their sport. Once maximal strength has been developed there are several methods to convert it into sport-specific power…

Ladder Agility Drills for Quick Feet & Coordination
Speed ladders form an integral part of many speed training programs. These five drills will improve your foot speed and coordination…

Agility & Quickness Exercises
Agility training helps a football player to apply basic speed to sport-specific movements and skills…

Speed Drills for Maximum Velocity
These speed drills are used to develop basic, all-out speed and acceleration…

Improve Your Sprinting Technique
Pointers and drills for improving sprinting technique…

Dynamic Stretches & Stretching Routine
Use these dynamic stretches as part of your warm up routine. Dynamic stretching has been shown to decrease muscle tightness, which may be associated to an increased risk of muscles and tendon tears…

Static Stretching Exercises and Flexibility Training Program
Static stretching exercises are best performed when your body is completely warmed up – often at the end of game or training session. Avoid static stretching immediately before competition, especially if your sport is speed and power based…