Soccer and Speed Coach: Soccer Player's Center of Gravity

If soccer players can shift their center of gravity quickly from one side to another, this will enable them to very explosively and quickly create separation from themselves and their defenders. This is equally true for defenders trying to stay with their marks!

By quickly shifting their center of gravity, a soccer player can now explode in a new direction faster, more economically and safely.

For starters, soccer players need to also start by lowering their center of gravity. The best way to do that is to simply bend their knees and drop their hips.

Here is a simple drill for a player to better understand how they can change their center of gravity thus allowing them to change direction more quickly.

Have them stand with their feet about shoulder width apart and toes pointing straight ahead. Next have them lean to the right and place about 80% of their body weight onto their right leg. Once they do that, they should have their arms in a running position where their left hand is raised to the height of their left shoulder socket (arm at a 90 degree angle) and their right arm is also at a 90 degree angle but it is positioned so that the players looks like they are reaching into their right back pocket.

Then have them shift sides where now their body weight (80%) is on their left leg and their right hand is raised to the height of their right shoulder socket and their left hand is reaching back for their left back pocket.

Have them go back and forth like this (shifting weight from one leg to the other) and switch their arms as well. Once they learn this movement, they will be able to change direction more fluently and quickly.

I hope you enjoyed this training nugget. Should you want more detail on changing direction explosively, look for my new DVD coming out in about 30 days. Go to www.soccerandspeedcoach.com and register to find out when this is coming out. Or view the sample below.