The Necessity for Position Specific Fitness for Soccer Players
Author: Matt Couch
Publish Date: May 7th, 2019
Youth coaches have different expectations for different positions, whether that relates to technical or tactical skill. However, it seems that many youth coaches expect the same level of fitness from every position. Recent studies show that not all positions run the same amount and furthermore not all positions sprint the same amount. It has become clear coaches must condition their players for the specific position they play. If coaches are going to have different expectations regarding player position technical and tactical skill, they need to have different fitness expectations for player positions and must train accordingly.
A study done in 2007 by V. Di Salvo and associates on the performance of elite soccer players by position found “a number of statistically significant differences between the different playing positions.” Their study provides a techno-tactical video analysis of the different player positions and the activity level on the field.
From this image we can identify the difference in player activity on the field and start to understand the importance for conditioning players for their specific position.
Since 2007 there have been other studies that have analysed youth performance by position. A more recent study done in 2019 by David Bujnovky and associates focused on analysing elite youth soccer players in speed, agility, aerobic and anaerobic activities by position. Their finding included “significant differences in observed parameters with respect to the playing position of football (soccer) players.” “Results showed a greater change of direction speed with turning on the non-dominant leg in midfielders than goalkeepers. Furthermore, “in aerobic capacity and repeated sprint ability, we found significantly better performance in all field position players,” but “full-backs had the best repeated sprint ability and center midfielders had the worst.” These result further constitute the necessity for position specific fitness conditioning. Player movements and fitness demands vary from position to position. It is in the best interest of the coach and player that a specialized training approach be implemented for each field position.
Likewise a study done in 2019 by Vieira and associates found that match running performance differed over total distance, peak speed, sprint frequency and sprint distance by player position. “Center backs reported lowest for total distance covered and high-intensity activities; midfielders and second forwards covered highest total distance; wide midfielders and forwards demonstrated the highest peak game speeds.” These findings prove the importance of position specific fitness and conditioning coaches should be implementing in their trainings.
Areas of specific focus should include distance, intensity, and repetition. Central defenders trainings should be designed for intensity rather than distance and repetition. On the opposite side of the spectrum, central midfielders programs should focus on distance and repetition. Outside defenders and midfielder programs should focus on all three categories of distance, intensity and repetition. And lastly, forward program training should focus on intensity. Providing specialized programs for the various positions will ensure players are preparing for the demands of a match and the coaches expectations can be met.
References
Di Salvo, V., Baron, R., Tschan, H., Calderon Montero F.J. , Bachl N., Pigozzi F. (2007) Performance Characteristics According to Playing Position in Elite Soccer: International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(3), 222 - 227. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harald_Tschan/publication/6769686_Performance_Characteristics_According_to_Playing_Position_in_Elite_Soccer/links/004635225987faa227000000/Performance-Characteristics-According-to-Playing-Position-in-Elite-Soccer.pdf
Bujnovky D., Maly T. , Ford K.R. , Sugimoto D., Kunzmann E., Hank M. & Zahalka F. (2019) Physical Fitness Characteristics of High-level Youth Football Players: Influence of Playing Position: MDPI - Sports, 7(2), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7020046.
Vieira, Henrique Palucci L., Carling, Christopher, Barbieri, Augusto F., Aquino, Rodrigo and Santiago, Pereira P.R. (2019) Match running performance in young soccer players: a systematic review: Central Lancaster Online Knowledge Sports Medicine, 49(2), 289 - 318. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/24825/1/24825%2010.1007_s40279-018-01048-8.pdf
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