Strength Training For Kids Soccer - 5 Simple Tips For Developing Youth Soccer Strength

Have you ever wondered if it is at all possible to do strength training for kids soccer to improve performance on the soccer field?

Actually it can be quite simple if you know what you are doing. Face it many soccer coaches like their players to be strong, powerful and fast. This occurs even at the younger ages of eight and nine when most technical training begins. Many coaches like to pick the faster and stronger players because they believe they have a better chance of winning.
It is these players that are strong, powerful and fast that get noticed first regardless if they have good technical skill.
If your child lacks strength in kids soccer he or she can make it up by building strength, power and speed away from the soccer field. The great thing is that a child as young as eight years old can start a properly supervised strength training program.
I want you to know that strength training for soccer kids may be done with or with out weights.
Here are 5 tips and ideas to help you get started with your childs' strength training program for soccer.
1. Start with body weight exercises. Body weight exercises teaches your child to control his/her body.
2. Focus on correct technique. It is important for for young soccer players to learn proper movement patterns at a young age so they can progress to heavier loads as they get older.
3. Pick exercises that closely mimic the movement on the field. Squats and lunges are great examples.
4. Do exercises that require require little or no equipment. Remember there are several household things you can use to create resistance- soup cans, telephone books etc.
5. Have fun! Hopscotch is a great game for strength training for kids soccer. It incorporates one legged strength, balance and coordination naturally.
Avoid machine based exercises in which your child needs to be seated. Sitting takes away from the natural development of the core stomach muscles.

Mike Grafstein is an expert in youth strength, conditioning, injury prevention and treatment with over twenty years working in the youth soccer industry. He has a background as an Athletic Therapist, Massage Therapist and Youth conditioning Specialist. He was the head therapist and conditioning consultant with Ontario Soccer Association and currently holds this position with Bryst International a youth soccer development services company. He is the creator of http://youthsoccer-power.com and author of Youth Soccer Power Unleashed.