Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 156

Welcome to your latest issue of Soccer Coach Weekly.

This week, I’m really excited to share a piece from our sister title, Women’s Soccer Coaching. 

It comes from Jeanne Rankin, who is assistant director of speed, strength and conditioning at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. 

She has years of experience in strength and conditioning (S&C) roles, having worked with women’s soccer teams at Oklahoma State University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Missouri, the University of Kentucky, and Eastern Connecticut State University, where she also worked with the men's soccer program. 

Jeanne knows her soccer well, having been a goalkeeper at the University of Colorado and Oklahoma State University.

She shares her S&C experience across a three-page article, where she considers what it is, why it’s taken off, why it’s important – particularly for women – and how you can make it work for your players. 

It’s a brilliant overview of the topic with some really good takeaways for your environment.

Elswhere this issue, Alex Trukan – first-team assistant coach at Legia Warszawa, Poland's most successful club – offers his thoughts on why a variety of approach is important for younger players.

We have also got two practices for you. One looks to improve speed of passing, while the other – a three-part session from regular contributor Steve Greenwood – focuses on players’ spatial awareness and movement off the ball.