There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to pre-season training in soccer. Over the years running tens of kilometres has been the foundation to pre-season training and pushing players to breaking point before they have even touched a ball.

New age style training shows that players gain quicker fitness levels and mental endurance (not burning out) n when the training goes for no longer then 1 and a half hours and is based on short sharp interval running drills and incorporating the ball.

This allows the players to provide max effort in the drills and work on ball control being ready for the first game of the season. This also keeps the training interesting and gives the players something to look forward to instead of those long mundane runs.

By Lukas Chodat for The Illawarra Mercury