The 3 Dynamic Soccer Speed Traits
Take a look at the top five current soccer players. Based on pay, the top five are Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Suarez, and Gareth Bale. What do they have in common?
Speed.
Clearly, no matter the position, speed is an important factor in taking a player to the next level.
So it surprises me that a lot of players at lower levels are relying on their god-given pace instead of building their speed through speed drills, plyometrics, and lifting weights. Because no, you can’t get faster by simply playing soccer. Especially if you don’t have proper speed mechanics. And especially if you don’t have the ability to produce enough force to beat your defender.
With that said, I want to share with you 3 Speed Traits for Soccer athletes right here:
THE THREE SOCCER SPEED TRAITS
In soccer, there are three speed traits that you need to develop to be successful.
The first is top speed.
Top speed is essentially your fastest speed, and there are many factors that go into increasing this trait. The first is is your mechanics. Top speed mechanics are something that can always be improved no matter the athlete. And having solid mechanics prevents energy leaks which result in a loss of speed.
The second factor in increasing your top speed is core stability.
When you’re running at high speeds, there are HUGE amounts of force transferring from your lower extremities, through your torso, and into your upper extremities. If you can’t handle that force, it’ll leak out of you like a water bottle with a hole poked in it. That means lost speed.
The third factor in increasing your top speed is power.
Yes, once the first two layers of bricks are laid, mechanics and stability, then you can add some pop. Plyometrics will give you that pop and explosiveness in your step. Plus, they’ll teach your body to become more efficient in your air time and ground contact time.
SOCCER SPEED TRAIT #2
In addition to sprinting fast, you also need the ability to build speed quickly. That’s where acceleration comes in.
Improving your acceleration will help you beat defenders to the ball, change speeds from a light jog to an all out sprint quickly, and can help you appear out of nowhere and head the ball into the goal.
Just like top speed, acceleration is created through mechanics first, then stability, then power.
SOCCER SPEED TRAIT #3
The last important speed trait is change of direction. Whether you’re chasing a ball that gets hit the other way, you’re trying to beat a defender, or you’re in charge of manning the goal, change of direction is key.
To build your change of direction ability, you need to perform plyometrics that build your ability to produce and absorb force laterally. You also need to work on drills, like shuttles, that work on your ability to decelerate and accelerate quickly.
Want your soccer athlete to develop these speed traits and elevate their game to another level? Right now we are offering a FREE pass to our Speed School that develops more explosive speed and agility. If you want to get your hands on that free pass, click the link below and get signed up before we run out of passes.