• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Click here to download the  free ebook of Alberto Juantorena’s  detailed training workouts leading up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics

SpeedEndurance.com

Success in Track & Field ... and Life

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Track & Field
    • 400 meters
    • 800m & Mile
    • 1/2 & Full Marathons
    • Long & Triple Jump
    • Hurdles
  • Training
    • Weight Training
    • Abs & Core
    • Injury Prevention
    • Shoes & Spikes
    • Masters
  • Coaching
    • Freelap Friday Five
    • Interviews
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Sport Psychology
  • Archives
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Checkout
    • Basket

What is Soccer Speed?

You are here: Home / 40 Yard Dash / What is Soccer Speed?
3
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

February 12, 2011 by Jimson Lee Leave a Comment

This article is guest blogged by Jonas Forsberg of YouthSoccerSpeed.com

Last year, I was sitting in front of the TV watching the Netherlands against Denmark in the World Cup.

What comes to mind is the way the players move on the soccer field.

Both of these two teams have a lot in common, and sometimes Denmark is referred to as "Little Netherlands", mainly because their way of playing the game is highly influenced by the way Netherlands are playing the game.

If you have watched the World Cup so far, you know that speed is of extreme importance, even at elite level. Players like Ji Sung Park and Lionel Messi are both small players, but their way of moving on the field is what really matters.

So what Exactly is Soccer Speed?

By looking at a game in the World Cup, you can easily find what type of movements players are using on the soccer field, and to mention a few:

  • Linear acceleration from standing, walking, jogging (from 5-40 meter, mostly in the range of 5-15 meters)
  • Side shuffle (a lot in defense, especially in 1 v 1 situations)
  • Cutting (running at high speed an performing a quick and rather "small" change of direction)
  • Back pedal (backing out to create space for your team-mates)
  • Deceleration (from high speed to a rapid stop, often when applying pressure in defense)
  • Change of direction (can be both with an without the ball, in defense and offense)
  • Jumping (to win a header)

These are just some of the many movements that occur on a soccer field, and when it comes to soccer speed, just learning how to run straight ahead like a Track & Field sprinter won’t get you faster on the soccer field. Sure, it would help you when running 40-100 meters, but how often does that occur in a soccer game?

See also  NFL Hopefuls Run to Michael Johnson

Not that often.

You need to be able to accelerate from different positions (straight, in angles, from the side, etc), learn how to decelerate rapidly and change a direction, and so on.

The most common distance in a soccer game is between 10-20 meters, and you play the game for 90 minutes. So when trying to develop soccer speed with your players, remember the importance of teaching them how to move effectively in all types of directions. And some of this training should be done with the ball, and some of it without the ball!

Multi-directional is really what soccer speed is all about, don’t forget that!

If you enjoyed this article and want more tips on how to improve your players soccer specific speed without making it too complicated, then sign up for Jonas Forsberg’s mini-course Truth About Soccer Speed over at YouthSoccerSpeed.com

Category icon40 Yard Dash,  Soccer Tag iconJonas Forsberg

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recommended

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbs-aWxyLk

Shop Our Store

  • Bud Winter (9)
  • Championship Productions (6)
  • Clyde Hart (2)
  • Derek Hansen (1)
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation (2)
  • Jim Hiserman (6)
  • Jimson Lee (4)
  • Uncategorised (0)

Articles by Category

Products

  • Jim Hiserman - Developing 800m Runners: Identifying, Categorizing and Developing 400m-800m Type Athletes $42.99 $39.99
  • Private Coaching - Monthly Plan $600.00 $525.00
  • Jim Hiserman-Developing-Distance-Runnersv2 Jim Hiserman - Developing Distance Runners Volume 2: A Systematic Approach to Developing Individual Success within a Dynamic Team Culture $34.95 $29.95
  • Feed-the-Cats-Clinic-3-Pack-701 'Feed the Cats' Clinic 3-Pack $64.99
  • Tony Holler's Feed the Cats": A Complete Sprint Training Program Tony Holler's "Feed the Cats" Complete Sprint Training Program $49.99
  • Bud Winter and Speed City presents Arthur Lydiard 509x716 Bud Winter & Arthur Lydiard MP3 [Download only] $9.99

RECENT POSTS

  • IFAC 2022: The Return of In-Person Conferences (with Virtual option)
  • Here is our 400m Discussion Recording… over 2 Hours Long
  • The Best Free Coaching Book – post Beijing 2022 Olympics
  • The Ultimate 400m Track Webinar for Coaches & Athletes
  • NACAC Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022
  • Top Six 400m Predictor Workouts (Number 4 is my Favourite)
  • Best 6 Podcasts for 2021 (and Beyond)
  • Why Karsten Warholm’s 45.94 400mH WR is my Highlight of 2021
  • Sprinting: 10 Research Articles for Effective Sprint Training [Part 23]
  • Pressure in Sports – Reflections from Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Copyright © 2023. SpeedEndurance.com is owned and operated by Aryta Ltd. Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy