[helmzgk]

I'm a first year JV coach for my former high school. My kids are aged 14-16 years old and all seem to fit that athletic type. We did a full field scrimmage today and most of my players got winded within the first thirty minutes, especially my midfield.
I'm currently playing college soccer myself and we do 10 120 yard dashes in under 15 seconds, the Cooper test, bleachers, 8 "field" laps each under 1:05 as part of our training routine. I make my players do some of these runs (excluding cooper) but with a little bit more time. For example: 9 "track" laps in 18 minutes, 8"field" laps in 1:15 each, 4 "field" laps in 5:30 alltogether and also twenty-thirty minute runs. I don't feel that's too much, but I can see in the way they run that they get tired pretty fast. Should I cut back a little bit or make it tougher on them?

[schmuckatelli]

Their performance should tell you what you need to know, if you apply the 70% rule: if 70% are able to do what you ask them to, you probably have a good standard. If fewer than 70% can get there, maybe cut 'em some slack, jack. If more than 70% can meet your requirements, make them more difficult.

[wunderkid]

I never played soccer in high school but one of the hardest workouts i ever had to face was wrestling practice. A lot of running, sprinting, half situps and pushups...it was extremely difficult and it weeded out those who are willing to work and those who cant cut it...obviously you dont want to lose everyone and i dont know what you have to work with, but the harder you push them now, the less embarassed they will be on the field come game day.

When i was 15 i was in my peak physical condition and wish i had that discipline to do it again. It made me tougher mentally and physically.

[SOCPLAYER3]

I personally do not believe that at a high school level players should be running just for conditioning purposes without the ball. There are so many drills that can be found in books and online that incorporate movement (conditioning) and touches on the ball.


Just my two cents

[blech]

Originally posted by SOCPLAYER3
I personally do not believe that at a high school level players should be running just for conditioning purposes without the ball. There are so many drills that can be found in books and online that incorporate movement (conditioning) and touches on the ball.


Just my two cents

i don't think it is so black and white. obviously, it is best if you can involve the ball with your conditioning, and you should make every effort to do so. and, if you are limited to one or two practices a week, this has to be a priority.

that said, the typical HS program has practice every day, often for at least 1.5 hours if not 2 hours. i'm not advocating running for running sake, but with this many hours of practice per week you can usually afford to sacrifice some ball time for some more serious training. i know as a player that i benefitted from this (even though i didn't like it at the time), and would suggest that within reason it has its place.

[thurd]

Originally posted by SOCPLAYER3
I personally do not believe that at a high school level players should be running just for conditioning purposes without the ball. There are so many drills that can be found in books and online that incorporate movement (conditioning) and touches on the ball.


Just my two cents

i think get them conditioned first, then do some conditioning with the ball.

[helmzgk]

Originally posted by SOCPLAYER3
I personally do not believe that at a high school level players should be running just for conditioning purposes without the ball. There are so many drills that can be found in books and online that incorporate movement (conditioning) and touches on the ball.


Just my two cents

Ballwork quality is very low and frustrating for me and the players if they are not fit. I still have three more weeks before games start and am in my fifth week with them. I also believed that ballwork and conditioning would go well together, but after about a month, only half my players can complete two miles in under 16 minutes. I've been running them before full field scrimmage since and it seems to be helping, distance and time have both improved in a good number of my players. BTW, I'm working with 30 kids, and I would cut the ones that don't want to work, but that combined with grades, I'd be left with about 10 players. It sucks, but I gotta keep them all.

Plus, I'm playing at a college level myself, I do not believe in books and online sites to help me with practices, I believe in own experiences and drills that are customized to my team's needs. I do, however, like videos as they actually show you what to do and you can become creative off the videos.

[Glenwood Lane United]

It's probably late for this, but we did most of our pure conditioning in the two weeks between our first practice and our first game.....conditioning was usually done after practice.

We did very little conditioning without the ball during the course of the season.

[helmzgk]

Originally posted by Glenwood Lane United
It's probably late for this, but we did most of our pure conditioning in the two weeks between our first practice and our first game.....conditioning was usually done after practice.

We did very little conditioning without the ball during the course of the season.

That's actually what I'm doing right now. I get about 1.5 hours with these kids so for about 45 minutes we run, 45 minutes we play. coming up to the first game we'll start talking tactics and less conditioning, and of course no where near as much conditioning during season. I think during the season we'll continue with tactical adn technical skills as well as full field scrimmage.

[helmzgk]

BTW, thanks to all with the help, i really appreciate it.