Performance fitness requirements - football (skill-related)

Question 1

Agility

Answer 1

is required to enable players to quickly change direction, for example, when making runs into the penalty box, turning to close down an attack, quickly adjusting to closely mark a player who is trying to loose you or adjusting their upper body to reach a corner kick and head the ball towards the goal. Attackers need to use agility to lose defenders and create space, leading to better scoring opportunities.

Question 2

Balance

Answer 2

In football dynamic balance is very important. Players need this because they are moving and adjusting body position constantly when looking for scoring opportunities in the penalty box or trying to mark an opponent closely. Good balance will help players to keep their shots on target, and to reach and play difficult volley strikes with accuracy it will also help to maintain possession when a defender tries to push you of the ball

Question 3

Co-ordination.

Answer 3

Players require this to control the ball and dribble in tight situations the need to coordinate the movement of many different body movements and touch skills. Hand - eye co-ordination is another example. If a goalkeeper had poor hand -eye co-ordination it would cause a number of problems. For example, the goalkeeper would not be able to co¬ordinate the run out from goal, time the jump up to reach the crossed ball, and make a secure 2 handed catch. A keeper with poor co-ordination would probably fumble or completely miss the ball and as a result the opposition would have more chances to score goals.

Question 4

Reaction time

Answer 4

it is important to have a fast reaction speed to move out to close down attacks, to block shots off the line when covering the near post at a corner kick, to pounce on fumbled saves etc. Having a slow reaction time means that you will give the initiative to your opponent and it may be the difference between getting to a ball and winning it or not.

Question 5

Timing

Answer 5

Players have to time passes so they reach team mates, time runs into the box to meet crosses or beat the offside trap and time tackles so as not to commit fouls