The 2015-16 FC WI Eclipse ECNL Program began pre-season training on Monday, August 3, beginning a 6-week program before ECNL Competition kicks-off on September 13. While a 6-week pre-season is almost unheard of in Wisconsin youth soccer, it is the perfect length of time to safely allow progressive build-up of fitness, sharpness, and team tactical concepts. Periodised correctly, the 6-week schedule maximizes performance of every individual player, and minimizes as much as possible the injury risk inherent in contact sports.
So, what exactly goes on during this period at FC WI Eclipse?
Prior to the first day of training, the ECNL teams' training dates, topics, and physical loads for the entire 6-week period were carefully planned out to insure that the appropriate activities, demands, and information were scheduled for the appropriate days. This means balancing the days of training, the intensity of training, the off / recovery days, and more. Here are some of the philosophical tenets that underline how proper periodisation is done:
Getting even more specific and practical, the ECNL teams have done a mix of training activities focusing on technical development within the overall program playing style. In our 6-week periodisation, this means fitness training (physical overload training) has been done as follows:
For a look at what physical overload training looks like, with older players cheering on the younger players in their final interval of max effort, click here.
During the entire time, future sessions are slightly modified and adjusted based on data and information received on how the players are feeling (soreness, fatigue, etc.) before, during and after sessions through Fit For 90 and heart-rate data.
The Ingredients: The best sessions. The best teachers. The best methodology and monitoring.
The Outcome: Maximized development. Minimized Injury. Highest Quality Training.
How does your club train?