^{Ever wondered how to take your soccer skills to the next level?  Footskills and tactical training are important, but adding plyometrics and sprint training give you the explosiveness to beat a defender to the ball.  This week’s study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning  shows the effect of this training on youth soccer players.}  

^{The researchers divided young soccer players (14 and 15 year-olds) into 2 groups:  a control group that did only soccer training 4 days per week, and an experimental group that added plyometrics and sprint training twice per week.  Before and after the experiment, both groups  went through performance testing, including a 10-M sprint test, agility tests with and without a ball, vertical jump testing, and the beep test.} 

^{The group that added the plyometrics and sprint training showed improved explosiveness, including faster sprint speed, quicker change of direction, higher vertical jump, and better ball-shooting speed.} 

^{The control group that only went to soccer practice showed no improvement.}  

^{BOTTOM LINE:  Train smarter.  #getBETTER.   CLE Sports PT & Performance can show you how-   Inquire about training options today.}