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How much fitness work is required for U12's

This is my first season coaching u12's - I have a lot of experience with coaching younger children in which I concentrated on skills, ball work etc (90%). Just wondering does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how much fitness work is req'd for 11 and 12 year olds.

Football CoachCoach

2 answers

ANSWERS

Football CoachCoach

Fitness is only required in pre-season,approx 1 to 2 months prior, and post season every quarter for about 2 to 3 weeks and one day a week. During the season you can add drills that provide some conditioning. From 8 to 12 continue to work on skils and speed.

Ladder, sprints, strength training, Cones, agility etc (body weight only)

ONe of the best drills to use for conditioning is "Use 2 goals about 25 to 30 yards apart, and 1 line at each goal of players. Each line on the right side facing each other. every player has a ball, the first player has 5 seconds to shoot a goal then must recover to defend after the shot is made immediately. continue to shoot and defend until the players are fatigued. You can work on skills for offense, or defending the goal. Your choice

Football CoachCoach

Thanks James appreciate your response - on that drill I agree it is a good one I've used it before.