| It is important after a demanding soccer season, | | | | gruelling season. |
| regardless if it is an eight or ten month schedule | | | | If this is the route you choose, you need to look |
| for soccer players to take at least seven to ten | | | | for the following things in your off season soccer |
| days break form intense activity. Failure to do so | | | | training program. |
| will result in burn out. | | | | 1) The program must include exercises for injury |
| Both male and female soccer players need their | | | | prevention |
| bodies to recover from a demanding soccer | | | | 2) The exercises should focus on "functional" |
| schedule. Otherwise, as previously mentioned, | | | | movements that imitate or mimic the actions that |
| burn out will occur from both an emotional and | | | | occur on the soccer field. |
| physical level. Injuries are very likely to occur. | | | | 3) Machine based exercises should be avoided. |
| Once these youth soccer players have taken | | | | 4) There should be a focus on single leg |
| time off for relaxation it is now time for them to | | | | exercises. |
| prepare for the next soccer season. | | | | 5) Soccer fitness should be in the form of bursts |
| Some young soccer players choose to play in off | | | | with recovery and sprints. |
| season indoor leagues, others play in futsol | | | | 6) There should be a plyometric ( jump training ) |
| leagues and some do nothing at all. | | | | program for soccer speed and soccer power |
| As an Athletic Therapist that deals with | | | | 7) There should be flexibility in the program so |
| assessment and rehabilitation of soccer injuries, I | | | | that the player may make adjustments according |
| strongly recommend an off season strength and | | | | to their individual needs. |
| conditioning program for soccer players to | | | | Keep these factors in mind when you are |
| participate in. | | | | searching for an off season soccer strength and |
| An off season soccer strength and conditioning | | | | conditioning program. |
| program prepares soccer players for a long | | | | |