THE DEVELOPMENT OF RUNNING SPEED AND AGILITY OF COLLEGE SOCCER PLAYERS, THROUGH SPECIFIC PHYSICAL TRAINING

Abstract

Within the theory and methodology of the soccer game there is a permanent concern for identifying those efficient ways, means and methodologies, which ensure the accomplishment of the instructive-educational objectives and tasks specific to each echelon.
Involvement of children, young people and adults in the educational process specific to soccer discipline, essentially contributes to solving the priority tasks of physical education at national level. Therefore, soccer is considered a foreground program, provided at the level of school curricula of all degrees.
Soccer players must have exceptional speed and quickness levels that must be consistently trained. Agility training is used to improve acceleration, foot speed, quickness, switching gears, cutting, starting/stopping, change of direction, and reaction, but it also aids in preventing injuries by improving body control through proper movement mechanics.
Through its content and approach, this research aims to demonstrate the influence of a specific physical training program on speed and agility of college soccer players. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of proper evaluation of these aspects, by using modern and effective tools, which contributes to a better understanding and completion of soccer training tasks.