Linear speed is important but our national games are also multi-directional. Players require that ability to decelerate, change direction, to roll or side step an opponent and even the basic skill of jumping and landing safely. Reducing the risk of injury alongside performance enhancement, which should underpin every strength and conditioning program.
While not having all the answers I am a big believer in the ability to move better. Becoming a better athlete to support potentially taking sports performance to a higher level. This can help in both stopping an opponent when in a defensive role or evading an opponent when in an attacking role. The movement piece can be under-valued though as players can desire just a bigger bench press while coach can emphasis just max strength or sometimes just have a misplaced focus. (Get strong is still very NB at all ages!)
One question that needs to be a continually asked, is a physical limitation impacting negatively on sports skill execution. This is relevant to all players on the journey from youth to adult. Why is his tackling poor? Is it the coaching? Has the player just bad habits, that takes time to correct or is the player unable to move their legs correctly due to a physical limitation?
Some players naturally no doubt will be better at changing direction, jumping or covering ground. It shouldn’t be assumed though that since a player is good at their sport that they can’t make improvements in physical performance. In some situations like a late developer, they might not have been exposed to any development squads or athlete development coaching.
Ideally it is about identifying players who are been held back by a physical limitation. Or if you are coaching a team finding out what training the players have been exposed to previously. Have the end in mind and work back from there. This is where an effective club development plan comes into play. Remembering also you can still have poor movers on the pitch who play well by just see things correctly and maker quicker and better decisions.
Underage you can have the big strong player who used his physical advantage to literally run over players. Suddenly once past minor due to growth and maturation, this player no longer has a physical advantage. What we see now is a one-dimensional player, repeatedly taking the ball into contact and losing possession. As coach’s are we aware of this or at under 14 and 16 or is it just about the now and winning. This is where playing multiple sports can help exposing a player to different movements and challenges.
Similar to linear speed, decision-making has to be involved to ensure transfer from the training ground to match day. Can a player select the right movement solution depending on the positioning of both themselves and their direct opponent? This scenario is continually changing in a game, which is what makes it challenging. This is where conditioned games or scenario’s have their value rather than the majority of training involving isolated drills.
Rome certainly wasn’t built in a day but with the right training completed consistently, improvements can be made.
All the best for remainder of 2026
PK.
