High School Soccer Training

High school soccer coaches have a unique challenge. Their teams often include players with various levels of ability, ranging from beginners, to athletes who are preparing to play college soccer. Coaches need to take into account all these individual needs and prepare drills and workouts that help each player to improve and help the team come together to perform well on the field.

  1. The Everyday Practice

    • Practice can also be difficult because of the different skill sets your team, and many players on your team, need to cultivate at the same time. Players need to be able to run for long periods of time, be prepared for physical challenges on the ball, know how to get the ball and what to do with it, and be able to defend their territory.

    Fitness

    • High school soccer games last for 80 minutes, so endurance is key. With a focus on running, practices should simulate games. According to Soccer Conditioning, part of the endurance process is learning to run properly. Just having your team run miles around a track isn't what you need. Focus on slow technique drills that improve form. Also work on stride length and other techniques to increase speed. Short and long sprints with appropriate rest in between, reaction drills, plyometrics and scrimmages can help build players' aerobic conditioning levels.

    Strength

    • High school athletes should work out two to three times a week. According to Rose Baker from the University of Washington, consistent weight training helps build strength and power. Coaches, while not ignoring the upper body, should have their players focus largely on the legs and core. Single-leg strength aids in kicking and pushing off when starting a sprint, while strong hamstrings help players sprint and change direction. Working the upper body helps players with throw-ins and headers as well as makes them stronger in challenges. Strength training also pits players only against themselves, so the beginner can lift at his level, while the more experienced athlete can lift more weight or do more repetitions.

    Skills and Drills

    • Fancy dribbling is fun, but if your team can't pass, win balls in the air or defend the goal, the fancy skills won't help. Spend most of your practice time on basic skills, such as passing and trapping the ball, moving to make space, shooting effectively and defending. The online Football Coaching Courses recommend dribbling and passing games, obstacle courses and small-sided possession play, all designed to keep players on the ball as much as possible. Practices should include full-field scrimmaging as well.

    Injury Prevention

    • The last thing a teenage athlete needs is a season-ending injury. Coaches need to plan drills and exercises that strengthen athletes' joints and muscles as well as teaching them to instinctively run and move correctly. Much of that takes place in the weight room. Baker says proper and consistent weight training can significantly reduce the number and severity of common sports injuries. Building strong muscles also helps balance and strengthens individual weaknesses. A stronger body also is more resilient and can recover more quickly.