Category: soccer fitness

Final Pistol Squat Progression

Well, I was finally successful in performing several full range pistol squats! There is still some weakness and instability in my right knee, but this has improved significantly over the course of these exercise progressions during the last few weeks. Here are the final two tutorials demonstrating my last training progression, and then performance of… Continue reading Final Pistol Squat Progression

How to Perform Assisted Pistol Squats

In the last couple of blog posts I introduced and discussed exercise progressions for a single leg exercise called the Pistol Squat. If you missed them, check out those previous posts here: => Pursuit of Pistols Part 1 => Pursuit of Pistols Part 2 In this episode I will show you 2 more progressions towards performing… Continue reading How to Perform Assisted Pistol Squats

Another Pistol Squat Progression – Side Step Ups

I hope you found my last post on the Pistol Squat interesting, and have decided to take on the challenge to master this difficult yet rewarding exercise. Last time I introduced some basic exercises you can do to prepare your body before beginning this series of training progressions, and then I shared a video demonstration… Continue reading Another Pistol Squat Progression – Side Step Ups

Develop Lower Body Strength and Stability with this Exercise

All soccer athletes can benefit from improving their lower body strength and stability.  This will improve performance as well as help prevent common injuries, such as ankle sprains and hamstring strains.  One very challenging yet very effective exercise for lower body development is the single leg Pistol Squat. I myself have never been able to perform… Continue reading Develop Lower Body Strength and Stability with this Exercise

A Strong Core Improves Performance

Because all movement originates from the core, it’s important for soccer athletes to develop a strong midsection to improve performance with other compound exercises and athletic movements. First of all it’s important to recognize that your “core” is more than just your abs. It includes all of the muscles in your torso that support the spine and… Continue reading A Strong Core Improves Performance

Warm Up Exercises For Soccer

A proper dynamic warm up will not only help prevent injuries during soccer games and practices, but it will also lead to a more powerful performance on the field, or in the gym.  The exercises demonstrated in the videos below will prepare your muscles, joints, and nervous system for the activities ahead, enabling you to… Continue reading Warm Up Exercises For Soccer

Is Strength Training Safe for Youth Soccer Fitness Programs?

For years medical and exercise professionals, soccer coaches, and parents discouraged prepubescent youth from resistance training. The old school of thought was that strength training would damage the growth plates and retard or stunt children’s skeletal development.  Some coaches and soccer players also believed that resistance training would cause the athletes to become slower.  In… Continue reading Is Strength Training Safe for Youth Soccer Fitness Programs?

The Importance of Sleep for Better Athletic Performance

I just recently received an email from a customer who had ordered our DVD, “Building the Complete Soccer Athlete: Train Like a Pro“, and he raised a couple of good points which I wanted to discuss. Here is his message: ———————————————— Josh, I received your video in the mail yesterday and watched it last night.… Continue reading The Importance of Sleep for Better Athletic Performance

Machine Workouts are Outdated- Mini Report, Part 2

Guest Post By Mike Grafstein B.Ph.Ed, CAT(C), YCS, RMT Courtesy www.EliteSoccerPower.com   Next let’s compare two other exercises and decide which one has a better value for athletic performance on soccer field. Let’s look at the leg press (sitting with leg bent at knee) and the squat. Many high schools and gyms have some form… Continue reading Machine Workouts are Outdated- Mini Report, Part 2