Preseason training program for soccer strikers

Soccer being a high contact sport demands physical ability from athletes to show better performance in training sessions and competition. Every sport requires specific training, likewise soccer training needs to be well designed according to demands required for the sport. The training needs to be organized through a season to help an athlete reach his optimal performance. Many variables should consider in the training program to enhance the performance, such as strength training, endurance training, aerobic and anaerobic training, flexibility training, and fitness training. However, this literature review aimed to discuss and highlight different aspects related to skills which are required for strikers in soccer during the preseason period. Literature suggests that “depending on player position during game, soccer team could cover various distances on field.” Fitness is equally important for all players like midfield player, defender, and striker. A study has shown that the central midfield player covered a high average of around 12 km while the defender covered the smallest distance with 10.6 km and the striker is in between the two players' averages, with 11.25 km. However, the striker is involved in different activities on field such as sprinting, jogging, running, walking, dribbling with the ball, changing direction, shooting the ball, kicking, hitting the ball, passing the ball, tackling, and being tackled. Therefore, the striker needs to focus on lower limb strengthening along with other trainings to perform these activities. In short, understanding the athlete's physical requirements is very essential to design a specific strengthening preseason program which could help the athlete to perform through 90 min of match or training session.