Fitness Training in Soccer: A Scientific Approach

I think I am quite harsh when I write my reviews, but this is because I have been on all sides of things - a player, a coach, and now a sport scientist working at a high level. There are good areas of this book that will be very useful to coaches of all levels. However, the areas on anaerobic work, speed development, and weight training really are poor and even misleading. Bangsbo knows more about improving the endurance and match fitness of soccer players than anyone out there. I feel he does a dis-service to himself when writing about other areas in which he is not so strong. Worth getting for half the book, however don't take the information in the above areas as Gospel. More reviews on books like this are on my blog which is listed in my profile

This book is obviously a must for a person who aspires to be a serious soccer coach. To understand and use the concepts of fitness training elaborated by Bangsbo one must have a least a rudimentary knowledge of anatomy, physiology, metabolism, biochemistry, etc. It makes a lot more sense to be aware of these when planning training programs. It is regrettable that the overwhelming majority of youth soccer coaches ignore those issues entirely. As a result, the efiiciency of training is very low. One other sad consequence of this ignorance is wrong ratios of load and work,inappropriate time units for various aerobic,anaerobic, and aerobic/anaerobic activities implemented during practice.In some extreme situations players may develop a variety of both short-term or long-term cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic problems. Bangsbo is one of the leading authorities on the subject of fitness training and has been involved with providing practical advice at the highest international level. Fitness Training in Soccer when studied in conjunction with a manual on periodization will make practice properly calibrated and efficient.

I am a youth soccer coach .I bought this book for what it says on the cover, to understand the body in the game itself. Although somewhat heavy going in places, it enlightened me to the importance of the basics in successful performance, if you're looking for drills, tips, tactics, look else where, if you want to get the best from the body? Plan your season? this is the book . Oh and drink plenty of water!