The Great Speed vs Skills Feud just got ugly!

Chochi Valenzuela, Director - Speed Trainers USA

Hi, it's Chochi Valenzuela - Director of Speed Trainers USA.

Most of you are subscribers to my newsletter "Speed Wins!" I chose this name for my newsletter because in my experience those players with more speed had more 'winning moments' on the field.

I like it and it's a strong statement and I can back it up.

Now, a funny thing happened to me the other day...

I was presenting at the US Youth Soccer National Convention when I accidentally overheard another high level coach/presenter scoff & joke with some other coaches, saying to them "huh, speed wins... What About Skill?... huh!"

I heard it so well because he was standing there with several other top coaches, and he said it directly to me.  I knew he must have been talking to me because he used my name and everything!

Well, I had to say something and say something right away! 

So I gathered my wits about me as quick as possible and just laughed because I knew he was just giving me a hard time because the topic he was there to present was Skills Training.

I just laughed along with him because, he was being very fun about the whole thing.  But...

The statement had me step back and wonder how many of you out there just read this newsletter and don't ever do the drills. 

Or, you buy the DVD's to educate yourself on speed training but you don't go out there and apply it simply because Deep Down Inside you really don't know if it works!

There's nothing wrong with that at all.  Hey, I am the same way with many things that are new to me. 

As a matter of fact I'd never really heard of 'Speed Training' for soccer until I found these video's from Europe that outlined the training done by Ajax Amsterdam and even then it took me about a month to get out there and actually try the drills - mostly because back in the 80's the videos were still in Dutch and I could understand a word they said.

So I got out there and imitated what I saw on the video and began to appreciate the training more and more.

But Deep Down Inside Me, I still thought to myself 'If I have limited time to train, I should be training with the ball!

I can get fit with ball work alone' (Skills Training)...  Sound familiar? 

It was only when other people started coming up to me and ask me 'How did you get so fast?' did I really start to take it seriously.

So, which one is more important - Speed Training or Skills Training?

Here's what I found out:

You Need Both! Speed and Skills...

Some coaches will say 'by far skills training is more important' and I am here to tell you this Old School Thinking/Coaching but I understand the reasoning behind it.

I mean if I had never come across speed training myself I would have no idea how to implement it with my players, how to use the equipment, what corrections to make immediately and when to allow players to work through new techniques.

After all, it's not Old School if you never showed up to the New School...

Here is the truth of the matter: 

If you are the player with the ball:
Skills Training is the most important training
in that moment!

If you are the player without the ball:
Soccer Specific Speed & Agility Training is the most important
in that moment!

So let me ask a simple question to all of you doubting coaches - 'How many players in the game have the ball at one time?'

Hold on... I'll give you some time to think about it... OK!

What's the answer?

That's right 1 player with the Ball and 21 other players who want the ball.  So, I ask you again 'Which training is more important?'  They are Both important according to the situation on the field.

Each player must build their skills for those most critical times when they do have the ball (about 2% of the game), and the players off the ball must be able to out accelerate, out move and out anticipate all the other players for the entire time that they do not have the ball (98% of the time).

When you look back at it, there are "Moments of Truth" when it comes to winning games.

Skills Training Moment of Truth Example:

That time when your player's good first touch sets up the pass that ends in a great goal - Game Won!  Or, a bad first touch gives up a goal in the back - Game Lost!

Soccer Specific Speed Training Moment of Truth Example:

Teammate makes a great pass behind the defense and your player is able to out accelerate the defense but just enough to get his/her foot on the ball redirecting it into the goal - Game Won!  You are the team on defense in this situation and your player gets out accelerated and the other team slots the shot into the goal - Game Lost!

"Does Speed Training Really Work?" It works really well for those who use it, and it works against those who don't.

Here's the final word on the Debate and
I'll let you decide in the privacy of your own home.

• Soccer Specific Speed Training Enhances Skill Development
  and Execution With the Ball at Speed -
  this means players get better with the ball even though they aren't using one in the workouts.
  
• Skills Training Solidifies Poor Speed Habits in Soccer Soccer Players - this means they will never be as fast both with and without the ball as they could be because the ball interrupts speed development.

So Coach, one last question for you:

When was the last time you put together a speed training program for your kids and actually stuck to it?

The last thing I want is for you to be sitting on the sidelines watching the other teams play because you just didn't know how to teach speed to your kids.

I've been there before and it's not a good feeling especially because I am so committed to providing my kids the best opportunity to have fun and an experience of accomplishment for the hard work they put in.

I'm sure if you are reading this you are the same way - that's why I put together this new website www.SoccerSpeedTraining.com to help education and empower you to take on this new and exciting aspect of soccer training.

If you do not work on Soccer Speed & Agility Training to build you players into skilled soccer "Athletes" you are missing the big picture - the boat - the train - the playoffs - the finals (oops! I hope that didn't hit too close to home for some of you).

What to do now?

Simple, get registered for one of our courses, buy our DVD's, become a member of www.SoccerSpeedTraining.com , bring us in your area - or go to someone else to get your materials and education...

But whatever you do, get started today for yourself and your players.

Good Speed this Season & Train Like a Champion!

Chochi Valenzuela - Director of SpeedTrainersUSA.com