[JMMUSA8]

I started training the past week for college soccer. Throughout the summer I have been playing soccer and have maintained a touch on the ball so I wouldn't get rusty but I didn't start any hard training. Now I'm running 2-3 miles every morning, keeping myself on a good diet, and I'm using my Ab-Slide to build up my abs. I have also been playing soccer and starting to do more of game situations, like dribbling around the field and making runs (I play with a friend). Any tips?, am i headed in the right direction so I will be fit enough to contend for a spot on my college team?

[NC_ODP02]

Alright, you will probably be in good enough shape to play a game(also doing suicides might help)...

you probably already do this....but Juggle often for around 20 minute periods(maybe 3-4 times a day). This will put tons of improvement on your touch(first touch..settling...turning first time)...

Also work on making runs at certain times(knowing when and how to make them). Also, what position are you looking to play, I could probably help you more if I knew this.

Good Luck

[JMMUSA8]

I plan on playing forward. I've watched tapes on strikers and noticed when they made runs and where they move to. Thats pretty much embedded in my mind and the only problem is bringing it out, which I'm starting to do. I think I got my runs down and my finishing is pretty good.

[calcioguy9]

get an old ball, and kick against a wall. it helps alot. pass, shoot, trap, head, whatever. then you cant blame error on anyone else.

[JMMUSA8]

Originally posted by calcioguy9
get an old ball, and kick against a wall. it helps alot. pass, shoot, trap, head, whatever. then you cant blame error on anyone else.

done that, pretty much got that down, just need to work on speed and endurance.

[blech]

Originally posted by JMMUSA8

done that, pretty much got that down, just need to work on speed and endurance.

I'm not trying to bust your chops or anything, but are you serious? I find it kind of amazing that all you need to work on is speed and endurance, but maybe you're the next Landon or DaMarcus.

As for speed and endurance, I generally limited my long distance running to no more than 3 miles. Try to mix in 1 or 2 mile runs where you really are pushing yourself for speed. 2 miles in 12 minutes was what I was shooting for back in college.

Of course, running sprints, or doggies, or whatever you want to call them are grueling, but helpful (both for conditioning and speed). If you're on a soccer field, go 6 yards to the edge of the goalie box, touch the ground, return to the end line, then 12 yards to teh penalty spot, touch the ground, return, 18 yards, return, 25 yards return, midfield, and return. Increase the time in between to rest if it means that you're pushing even harder during your sets.

I'm also not big on weights or anything, but I'd add some pushups and regular crunches in addition to the abslide (which didn't exist when I was in college).

if you're doing all this, i'd try to integrate the rest of your conditioning with the ball/skill activities. even if you're just jogging around the field, have a ball on your foot, and start working on new moves as well as perfecting your favorites. same with shooting. if you want, add this as a variation of your sprints, but imagining you've just been given the ball on a breakaway. you're fullspeed for 25 yards and then shooting on the run.

if you've really got the basic skills down, try to take it to the next level. if you've got a buddy who will feed you balls, work on trapping, turning, and shooting. this can be critical to the success of a good forward and push yourself to do it get the shot off faster and faster. and don't settle for shooting at the goal. pick a specific location on the goal (perhaps with a cone) and nail it.

as for runs, my personal experience is that this will be harder to work on by yourself. thinking about it and studying the pros, however, is a good start. one of the things i've found helpful is to think about where i think the ball is going to be in "x" seconds, and figuring out how i'm going to get there without a defender on me. if i go too early, even if i've beaten the defender, he'll have time to catch up. so be patient, and add in quick fakes and even longer looping runs that are in a totally different direction, before turning to where you really want to go and getting there with a burst of speed (and possibly a loud shout for the ball). if you and your buddy have good imaginations, there's no reason that the two of you can't do this by yourself on the field - but it's definitely tougher and not as real as it's ever going to be in the game.

most of all. have fun and good luck.

[MarioKempes]

1) Suicides twice a week
2) 880 yd repeats twice a week
3) Hill work once a week
4) Strength training twice a week
5) 3 mile run twice a week
6) Lots of small side games

Have fun and don't burn yourself out!