Soccer, more popularly known as football in many parts of the world, is the biggest spectator sports known to man. It is estimated that there are 3.5 billion people who follow the game of soccer, making it the most-watched game on the whole planet.

But what makes soccer draw such a large crowd? How can this low-scoring ball game create such a spectacle?

Poetry in Motion

The thrill of soccer is not in the goals made—it is on how individual players and teams show the fruits of their soccer speed and agility training. From the moment the referee blows the whistle to the start the game until the horn blows to mark its end, you will be amazed by the perpetual motion of the game.

Soccer is the suspense-thriller of the sporting world—each minute builds up to create tension and suspense. Fans watch in anticipation as offensive players show amazing speed in soccer as they run towards the goal. Each goal attempt is followed by oohs and aahs and a loud roar when the ball finds its way inside the goal.

Players are observed and admired not only for their ability to score a goal—which comes far and few in between—but also for their talent to play the entire game.

A Grueling Game

The regulation time for a game of soccer is 90 minutes, broken down into two halves of 45 minutes. An extra 15-minute playing time is provided when the score is tied at the end of the regular playing time.

In each minute of the game, individual players, regardless of the position they play, are expected to show topnotch soccer speed and agility. When inside the playing field, a soccer player needs to perform different activities such as:

• Jogging – 36%
• Walking – 24%
• Coursing – 20%
• Sprinting – 11%
• Backward movement – 7%
• Moving with ball possession – 2%

Although ball possession and sprinting are at the bottom of the ladder, these movements are the most crucial aspects of winning a game of soccer.

How can you develop into a versatile soccer player that can dribble the ball with your feet at breakneck speed? How can you outrun your opponent to put yourself in a position to score a goal? How can you develop the strength to have that burst of energy to leave your defenders behind?

The answer is in soccer speed and agility training!

Soccer Training for the Champs

Aside from the soccer drills like running, dribbling the ball, ball control, passing, and kicking, you also need to develop as a player through different speed and agility drills for soccer. According to the guidelines set by US Youth Soccer, the leading youth soccer developmental organization in the US, you can improve your soccer speed and agility through:

• Body awareness activities: soccer drills that are focused in the use of different body parts to improve balance, coordination, and quick motion. You can achieve this by using a variety of soccer speed and agility equipment.
• Maze games: Motion drills that allow a player to move within a defined area, but in different directions. There is soccer speed and agility trainings specifically designed to achieve this purpose and help develop a player’s instinctive reaction to actual play situations.
• Target games: soccer speed workouts that are designed to achieve specific purposes, like improving soccer sprinting speed from one point to another.

Be the Best Player that You Can Be

The soccer field is one big stage that will test your talent as a player. The work to become the best player—whether in your schoolyard or community—is within your grasp. With the right soccer speed and agility training and equipment, you can achieve your own soccer dreams.