III. The Competitive Season

Pre Season would start with evaluation and testing. Some of the tests were listed in the summer program. Pre season is a demanding period of two a day practices. Work not done during the summer will be immediately exposed.
Pre season two-a-days is physically, mentally and psychologically demanding. The athletes are asked to perform under stress. The stress of making the team, learning tactical objectives, improve fitness, and show the ability perform all put great strain on the athlete. Care must be given to moderate the practices to maximize productivity while minimizing the risk of injury. Rest and recovery time is also essential. Technical and tactical training are combined with fitness in a variety of ways. Early preseason finds aerobic training giving way to anaerobic conditioning.
By the end of preseason the player must be fit enough to endure the rigors of match conditions. A certain level of competence in the four pillars (technical, tactical, psychological and physical fitness) of competition must be attained.
The objective is not to start the season in “tip-top” shape. The objective is to be approximately 3/4 of the way. Throughout the season we now look to peak going into the last 1/3 of competition. Daily practices will consist of technical work, tactical work, team structure and fitness. The fitness will be derived from work done additionally with interval training, circuits, plyometrics etc. based on the game schedule.

IV. Injuries and Prevention.

Soccer is a demanding game with the intricacies of technical and tactical proficiency coupled with a high work rate of those competing. Soccer is a simple game yet the components making up the game provide a physical and mental challenge to the athletes. The nature of the game leads to the exposure of the player to a wide variety of potential injuries. Common sense is the guide to preventing injuries. Providing a safe environment (field conditions, types of activities, use of shin guards for practice etc.), giving quality instructions in the technical and tactical components, and providing sufficient down time for the player to rejuvenate their minds and bodies are all steps necessary to keeping athletes healthy. Knowing when to recognize fatigue and its effects on the player is an important duty as the coach.
Common concerns regarding soccer players include but are not limited to: heat exhaustion and heat stroke, sprains and strains of knees and ankles, shin splints and plenty of knocks, contusions and bruises. While as a coach we may have knowledge of treating such injuries, the existence of qualified training personnel is the only course to be taken in the event of injury. Coaches should limit diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and defer to professional guidance from the athletic training staff.


References:
Dr. Fahey’s Principles of Sport and Fitness Training
Soccer and Science: Tim Levendusky Ph.D Ex.

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