For example, let us examine the United States National Team’s performance at the last World Cup held in Germany. In their ‘do or die match’ against Ghana, superior speed, acceleration and agility proved to be a deadly combination as Ghana eliminated the United States from World Cup competition. The inability to match Ghana’s speed to the ball, on the attack or on the defense crippled the United State’s ability to take control
of the match.

The overall ineptness of Team USA’s offensive attack in their Group E matches serve as a painful reminder of how far America lags behind its international competition. Without the speed to match up with their opponents, there can be no expectation of consistent success at any level of the sport. I can’t help but believe that a significant part of this success is due to their overwhelming speed, agility and acceleration.

In this country, soccer coaches and players place almost exclusive training emphasis on conditioning: long, slow intervals on the track or around the field and long, slow runs on the road. You just can’t get fast by running slow. Yet this mentally is exactly what many coaches focus their soccer speed training programs around.

In a sport where much of the action requires short bursts of acceleration to make a play on the goal or the ball, programs that fail to specifically teach players how to accelerate and make quick changes of direction are doomed to fail. It is incorrect to believe that speed can not be taught, developed or significantly improved. Such a mind set is currently holding many soccer programs back, from the youth to the elite levels. That is why your program could benefit exponentially by improving the coordination, body awareness and timing that comes with a speed training program designed specifically to improve speed. We must get away from the idea that a speed development program can only work when tailored to ‘soccer players only’. Our young athletes, most of which play many sports, have multiple athletic needs that must be addressed. By improving overall athletic ability, they will excel at any activity that involves quick movements or coordination.

Consider the significant advantage your athletes and team would have if they spent appropriate time and energy improving their ability to accelerate and change directions or improve their explosive strength and power. With almost no programs addressing these skills, small improvements will be the difference between getting to the ball first, getting a breakaway, improving dribbling skills, getting back on defense, etc.

Whether playing at the U-7 or the U-19 levels, these athletes are both the foundation and the future of this sport. And success at any sport that involves running requires particular attention to speed development. Put athletes in a position to achieve to their fullest potential by implementing proven techniques in your soccer speed training program.