Guest Editorial: Special Topic Issue, Soccer

Abstract

The focus of this special edition of the Strength and Conditioning Journal is what is commonly termed the world's game—football (soccer). This edition has been produced to coincide with the sport's biggest event—the FIFA world cup—where more than 3 billion people tuned into the previous event held in Brazil, and where interest in the game worldwide will be at its peak. Played on every continent, with FIFA figures suggesting 270 million people playing or officiating in the game on a regular basis, and with this participation taking place at many levels, soccer has a special place in the hearts of players and fans. To the casual observer, one of the great appeals of soccer is its simplicity and the minimal requirements in terms of equipment. However, for the strength and conditioning coach, it is far from simple, and soccer presents unique challenges. Effective soccer performance requires a wide range of physical capacities, which vary between playing positions and ultimately on the style of play of the individual and of the tactical requirements of the team. In this way, physical capacities can never be viewed in isolation, but as part of a more holistic development that balances physical development with technical, tactical, and psychological capacities. Critically, these capacities are not independent but instead interact, with, for example, the tactical style deployed by a team dictating the precise physical capacities a player will need to effectively undertake their role on the team. Subsequently, physical capacities need to be tailored to the specific needs of the athlete, requiring that the strength and conditioning coach has an effective knowledge of the game and is aware of the roles the player must undertake on the pitch. Adding to this challenge are the varied logistical challenges a coach faces. Playing seasons have typically been getting ever longer, with the added challenge of postseason competitions (such as this year's world cup) further extending seasons for some players. Subsequently, off-season preparation times are being squeezed, and strategies have to be developed to deal with these scenarios. Add in the fact that, in many countries, players will face 2, or even 3, games in a week period, and it is clear that coaches need to develop strategies to cope with these challenges. Ensuring that players possess and develop the physical capacities to play effectively at their chosen level of play, while guaranteeing that they also have the capacities in the other domains is a constant juggling act and will often require the development of unique strategies built around the precise constraints faced in the individual coach's scenario. It is clear that the key to effective application is the need, not of knowledge per se, but of proprietary knowledge—of what works in the coach's unique environment. This issue has been developed to address these variable needs and to help coaches apply methods that will hopefully help develop this proprietary knowledge. The aim has been to draw on a wide range of sources in developing the issue and to balance theoretical evidence with the evidence of practitioners working at a range of levels in the game, with the objective of providing applied solutions that practitioners can use in their work. We hope that the issue will provide some insight into some approaches being used in the soccer community, which may help readers develop their own solutions to the challenges faced in this wonderful game. As with any game, success depends on a team performance. As guest editors, we would like to thank all the authors for generously sharing their work, the reviewers who have diligently ensured the quality of the submissions, and to Britt Chandler and Jeff Chandler who have patiently and expertly guided us through the process of producing this special edition. We hope you enjoy it.