The Question of "Game Speed" Training

     One of my favorite types of technical training drills are what I like to call “Fatigue Drills”.  I like these not because I’m an evil, masochistic coach.  Rather, I believe that we as coaches work on skill development under circumstances that are a little too pristine sometimes.  It’s important for the athlete to learn the basics skills in a step-by-step way however once they have gained a certain ability they need to be able to use that ability in realistic situations.  Many matches are won or lost in the waning minutes as players are fatigued and their quality of play starts to fall off.  Also, technique falters when an athlete is in oxygen debt after an intense series of runs or moves, especially late in a match.  Advantage swings to the opponent.

     Helping a player improve his or her technical skills while they are on the verge of exhaustion will certainly pay dividends when the game is on the line.  Improved mental focus will also result as the player’s confidence is enhanced by useful training practices.

     One advantage of this type of training is that the athlete becomes self-aware of what they can and cannot do when they’re running out of steam.  This knowledge translates into the athlete’s ability to modify and therefore improve their touch on the ball or positioning or whatever it is that needs improvement.

     True “game speed” for training sessions and scrimmages is nearly impossible to achieve.  There is nothing like playing in real games to push a player to “game fitness”.  Nevertheless, if we strategically plan our training sessions in a way that makes the most sense where we push our players to work on technique during the “butt-dragging” phase of a practice I believe we will see positive outcomes.  Yes the players will complain but will appreciate it when they see results in real matches.

*Feel free to comment on and share what you do to help create “Game Speed” in training sessions.