Pre-season training was traditionally about improving fitness. After a break players needed to be whipped into shape before they went back to playing competitive games.
Nowadays the idea of using pre-season solely to build fitness has been left behind.
Why?
In youth soccer players simply don't become "unfit". When the season ends they don't suddenly pile on weight or stop moving so there isn't the need to undo the effects of a summer of excess.
This is great news for players who previously found themselves doing hill runs or stair sprints. Now pre-season is (or should be!) all about familiarising yourself with the ball.
Of course, there's always an element of fitness but it's by no means the be-all and end-all.
Not sure where to start? Try our four week pre-season plan and get your players ready for their best ever season
in Email newsletters, Pre-season
Wow that has been some off season this year with the pandemic and all the changes that have had to happen to get coaching soccer back on track. Getting the team back together can be a tricky business at the best of times so you can make use of Soccer Coach Weekly's Pre-season Guide to help you get the team ready for the first matches of the season. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
Your players have made it to week 4 with the first whistle of the new season not far away. But before it blows you've got one final week to get your players through so they are ready and focused for that first match of the season. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
The basics have been taken care of with passing, possession and fitness, and there has been plenty of small-sided game-play thrown into the mix as well, but now you want to delve down into what your players are going to produce this coming season on the pitch. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
The second week of pre-season is a lot more than just shaking off the cobwebs. Now it's the real thing! Some of your players may not be ready to move up the gears so it is up to you to motivate them using the activities and advice in the Soccer Coach Weekly Pre-season Guide. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
Getting players back to fitness after a lazy summer is an important part of any pre-season checklist. This fun speed and agility exercise is great for developing quick footwork, acceleration and speed. MORE
This fun pre-season training session for goalkeepers is based on one used by former Arsenal and Germany keeper Jens Lehmann MORE
Get your goalkeepers back into the swing of things with this pre-season training workout that tests their handling and distribution. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
The first week of Soccer Coach Weekly's pre-season plan is all about getting moving and getting some focus on what it is we are aiming to achieve by the time the whistle blows in anger for the first time in the new season. MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season
With the move back to contact in my area of the world it is now a great time to run trials to build your squad for next season. It is not something I have given time to yet because trials when play is non-contact is not ideal. A player might be brilliant with individual skills but put them in a match situation and they will show a different side – and that includes player attitudes. MORE
in Email newsletters, Fitness and Diet, Pre-season
Don't just dig out your boot bag the day before training is due to start and polish your boots... there's more to getting ready for the new season than that. Map out your pre-season fitness blueprint for you and your players. MORE
in Fitness and Diet, Pre-season
You don't have to be on a football pitch to start your pre-season – players and coaches alike can be a bit creative at the beach and set themselves some targets for the holidays. So put sunbathing on hold get yourself in shape for the coming season! MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Set pieces
Set pieces are a vital part of your match day experience... often they present your team with a good chance to score a goal, and they are the key link to restarting the game when the ball goes out of play. They deserve to be practised! MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season
Over the holiday period you want to be playing games and keeping your players aware of the techniques and tactics you will want to use during pre-season and be ready when the season starts. MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season
It is always at the back of your mind over the holiday period – especially when moving from different stages 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 – will I have enough players and will they all be able to cope with the different numbers. So it is good practice to plan soccer trials and work out how many players you want for next season. MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Rondos
When players are getting back into the game after a summer break it is challenges to the brain that is essential along with the physical needs of individual players. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
Sport psychologist Dan Abrahams offers five tips to help you sharpen up your players mentally so they feel ready to take on the challenges that will face them in the days ahead MORE
in Pre-season, Team Management, Tips and advice
Even the most patient children have a limited attention span especially when they have just come back to training after the summer break. Here are four ways to help you combat that MORE
in Email newsletters, Goalkeeping, Pre-season
As you head into the new season, it’s vital that your goalkeepers are as well-prepared for the challenge ahead as the rest of your squad – keepers often make the difference between success and failure, especially in the early stages of the season when your tactics are taking time to bed in. Remember that it’s... MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Small Sided Games
Small-sided games are a great way to give your players lots of touches of the ball and get them back on track for playing matches. Try these four small-sided games that work on different aspects of your players’ technique. A great tactic to practice in a small-sided game is counter-attacking after winning the ball at... MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
The last pre-season training session is all about stepping up and brushing up. You’re looking for the final pieces of the jigsaw to fit into place with your players, as they put into practice everything they’ve learnt so far. MORE
in Pre-season, Small Sided Games
Turning up for friendly games, or for the first match of the season, needs planning. Do your players know where to play or what tactics you will use? Do they know if it’s 7v7 or 9v9? You need to get your players into the swing of match play again so playing appropriate games and activities... MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
Pre-season training is in full swing. You’ve recapped the basics of passing, possession and fitness, but now you want to delve down into what your players are going to produce this coming season. MORE
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games, Pre-season
Pre-season fitness and warm-up routines can be very demanding on young players, so amongst all the hard work it's important to remember to add some elements of fun into your sessions. MORE
in Pre-season, Tips and advice
The second training session is, in theory, where the hard work really begins. So having eased yourself and your players back into the swing of things, now is really the time to extend thinking, develop ideas and deliver a programme that will see your team flourish. MORE
