Flexibility
Training Introduction
A modern soccer player has to have
the flexibility of a dancer, with the speed of the
modern game
increased dramatically, because of rule changes (the
no back pass rule), which has made the game
much faster.
The
modern player has to adjust quicker, to even more
and more extreme positions.
The speed of the modern game is
totally different from 40 years ago, and in 20 years
will be unrecognizable from today, but how?
The
player's speed may improve minimally with the
further advances in sports science, the playing
surfaces also, the ball technology, but the major
changes will be in the creativity of the players
agility, range of movements, and unusual ball skills
(different from the norm).
If
through a series of highly specialized, safe, legal,
but extreme body shapes and positions, a player can
kick the ball with more spin, power, and above all
disguise than his opponent, then that player/team
will
have a distinct advantage over a player/team who
trains and plays traditionally. The ball will be
played in
the air more, but not in the old way high and as far
as possible, but just above waist height, so the
future
player will need much more flexibility/agility, and
a sensitivity of touch and refinement only possessed
by
a handful of "superstars".
The
ability to do reverse kicks, back kicks, spinning
kicks, as well as all of the traditional kicks, but
with
total control, and application. These "extreme"
kicks will also add an interesting problem for
defenders,
how do you stop a ball reaching an opponent if the
ball is played just above waist height legally.
The
only problem that these new skills present is a need
in the increase in the range of movement in
all players. To have a limited range of movement
comes with a number of fundamental weaknesses and
possible problems.
1.
Limited technical development.
2.Unbalanced development, leading to injuries.
3.Decrease in power output, in shooting etc.
4.Chronic problems.
There is also a great debate on the
virtues of Dynamic and Static stretches. There is a
great turn around
in opinion. Whereas static stretching was always
indicated as the way to stretch, dynamic stretching
has been found to be of much more benefit,
especially in games that require dynamic movements
and expressions. As soccer is one of the most
dynamic, (putting extreme demands on a players
body), and explosive sports today, a range of
extreme movement is needed.
All of these extreme movements can be trained for;
your training should involve a series of dynamic
movements to prepare the body for any eventuality.
