One
of the conditions which are a prerequisite in maximizing a player's performance
is that the training concept must account for individual differences, many of
them, apparently being of origin. The idea of
training "THE TEAM", in view of the reality that the
performance level to which a player will progress depends upon the degree to
which he/she develops own individual abilities, has lost its meaning. Training
"THE PLAYERS" is actually the challenge and in the concept of Maximal
Training where the exercise structures are defined to meet the individual needs
and capacities of the players, can effectively address this objective.
Initially
and as early as possible in the development of a player, individual
characteristics and differences must be identified. Next, they should be
carefully evaluated, and then, the process of influencing and integrating them
into the specifics of performance requirements can begin.
Many
factors contribute to individual variation in training response and match
performance. The following are of greater significance.
ANATOMIC FACTOR
Although
performance in football is not decided by the players' physical constitution,
some anatomic aspects should be considered. For instance players, who are tall
and also have long limb segments, would encounter difficulties in executing
sudden or rapid changes related to ball work or complex movement in conditions
of fast or sprint running. This is due to high inertia of limb segments,
particularly the legs, which in the game specificity could reach extreme
demands on posture, balance, power and specific coordination. To optimize
adaptation and response in such cases the training structures must provide
systematic overloading for players who need to improve their movement
efficiency, e.g., planning an increased rate of complex and rapid movement in
the exercise structure.
PHYSIOLOGIC AND PSYCHOLOGIC TRAITS
It
is unrealistic to expect different players to be in the same state of training
or competitive form at the same time. A lengthy list of changes and
characteristics of match performance imposed by external factors such as the
opponents' game approach, own role in the line-up, micro-climate, etc., blended
to individual differences on the mental and physiological performance, are
responsible for visible variations in a player's competition form. By
manipulating football brain stimulation, complex-intensity, duration, active
rest and relaxation in a more individualised training approach, players'
differences in performance output could be successfully addressed.
It
is recognized that players with predispositions for superior endurance
capacity, once it has been optimized, would be easily worn-out if continuously
involved in a pure high intensity "team" endurance programme.
Alternative exercise structures should enhance the other side of these players'
functional identity, i.e., dynamic ball work creativity, tactical leadership
and competitiveness.
It
is only normal that a player who has, for example, natural capacity for
superior work rate to be particularly exposed to intensive adaptations for
accurate and consistent passing performance. The combination of both innate
fatigue resistance and excellent ball distribution could decisively influence
performance.
Consequently,
it is counterproductive to insist that all the players respond to training the
same way or at the same relative or absolute work rate. It is also unrealistic
to expect all the players to respond to a given training dosage, e.g., warm-up
routine, effort-rest ratio or active recovery procedure, strictly imposed
tactical schemes, etc.
At
least for players who show differences in their adaptation and response to
training and match challenges, it would be that the best solution is to
recognize, explore and influence such individual differences in a training
approach capable of inducing maximal, and yet useful differentiated effects.
An extra
from the Maximal Training book (Note: the book is no longer available in stores.)
By Editor
Story: http://goo.gl/gIZlG
Email: editor@maximalfootball.com
