Players require strength and power to accelerate, make a big tackle, and jump to head a ball.
Strength for Football
Strength is the ability of the body, or a part of the body, to apply or withstand force. The development of strength relies on resistance training and involves exercising at various loads, modes, speeds, angles and frequencies. The combination of these variables dictates the outcome of the resistance programme.
Strength is required for power production, stabilising a joint, supporting arms and legs (core stability), avoiding injury, and coping with contact. The resistance used during strength training can be your bodyweight, bodyweight plus a weighted vest, barbells and dumbells with light, medium or heavy loads, medicine balls or an unstable surface such as a wobble board or swiss ball. the unstability of the surface creates resistance for the body to work against.
Resistance training uses Repetition Maximum as a scale of resistance. For example, the weight that a player can lift for only 1 repetition during a bench press is classified as a 1 RM. Similarly, a weight that can only be lifted for 10 repetitions during a squat is termed a 10 RM resistance. Repetition maximums, or percentages of RM's are used as guidelines during Strength and Power Programmes.
Power
It is the application of speed that translates strength into power. Whatever the level of resistance, the aim is to move quickly with control and correct technique
It is essential that players develop strength and core stability before progressing to power drills. Strength alone will enhance speed and jumping ability even before starting specific power training options. Power training options include sprinting while wearing a weighted vest or pulling a sled, plyometrics, and Olympic lifts. Consider all the training principles before starting a strength or power programme.
|
