Winter Training

Once the season has ended it is good to gives the players a small break. This will help the players recoup, re-engerize and look forward the next season. 

Things to think about during the winter off season. 

• Fitness  - It’s hard to work on endurance indoors, so winter gives you a chance to work on SAQ (Speed. Agility.Quickness) for the youth and strength training ( plyometrics) for the older age group. 

• First touch - Playing indoors means boundaries are tighter and closer  this will help the players develop a better first touch on the ball. The low impact surfaces means there is less stress on the feet and legs.

• Creativity - Winter helps you work on soccer specific parts of the game, i.e. 2v1 break away.Creativity in movement off the ball and beating players with skill and tricks.

          Ideas of soccer specific include:

                                              1.  1v1  - Working on beating the full backs

                                              2. 3v2  - Attackers (3) Defenders (2) working on breaking down the defense or defending mutiple attackers

                                              3. 3v3 or 5v5 small sided games - working on movement off the ball

                                              4. Set pieces - Making a wall, throw-in and set peieces etc.

Plan your winter so it links with the spring season. The more you work with technique and Soccer specific parts of the game the more time you will have to work on team tactics in the spring.