Newsletter 8 Simple, Basic and Effective

Hello

If you are receiving this for a second or third time I apologize. Technology is a wonderful thing...

First, before we get started I just want to wish you a Happy New Year! I hope the holiday season has been good for you and your family.

Cheers to a healthy 2007!

Next, I want to talk to you about my theme of "SIMPLE, BASIC and EFFECTIVE".It has been my experience with any teaching of exercises that simple and basic leads to effective. So what do I mean by this?

SIMPLE: - The instruction given to the player is simple. Easy to understand words are used to communicate.

BASIC - The exercise is basic in nature. The exercises is ground based.EFFECTIVE:
a. The exercise is demonstrated with proper form and technique by your athletes.
b. The exercise serves a basic need in development.

For younger soccer players it is important to keep the instruction simple and the exercises basic. This is why I like teaching body weight squats.All soccer players need a solid strength base to work from and the instruction for the body weight squat is simple, the exercise is basic and completed properly is effective for building lower body strength.

Eventually your players should be able to complete this exercises with their eyes closed.

Test out these instructions for a body weight exercise (courtesy youth soccer power unleashed).

Have someone read them to you and listen with your eyes closed. If the instruction was simple you should be able to perform the exercise with your eyes closed.
Give it try!

BODY WEIGHT SQUAT

1. Stand with your feet slightly wider or shoulder width apart. The feet may be turned out slightly.
2. Raise your arms forward such that both the elbow and hands are at shoulder height.
3. Lower the body by bending at the hips and knees.
4. Keep your stomach tight
5. The pressure should be felt at the mid-foot or heel.
6. Lower until the thighs are parallel or even to the ground.7. As you rise to return to the starting position imagine your glutes becoming strong and tight. Squeeze your buttocks tight.

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Cheers!
Yours in youth soccer fitness

Mike Grafstein
B.Ph.Ed,CAT(C),CSCS,YCS,RMT
www.youth-soccer-fitness.com
youthsoccer-power.com
www.soccer-nutrition.com