About Marney Egan Expertise I can answer almost any question about the game of soccer (drills to practice, what to do in different situations, calls made by the referee, gear to use, fitness, etc.). I was a goalie in HS and college so I am able to answer more specific questions about this position. I can also provide insight on the college game (recruitment process, what to expect, etc.).
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR AGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE GAME SO I CAN PROVIDE AN ANSWER CATERING TO YOUR AGE AND ABILITY. THANKS!!
Experience I have been playing soccer for 20 years (10 years as a goalie) and played at a D-I college. My father played professionally and has been a personal coach for my siblings and me through our careers (we have all played in college). I am currently coaching a U-13 Girls club soccer team and have also coached at several college camps during the summer including one hosted by the US Naval Academy.
Organizations Coach for Allegheny Force Football Club.
Education/Credentials Degree from Bucknell University; attended numerous soccer camps over the years including ones hosted by Notre Dame (Women's D-I National Champs) and Messiah College (Women's D-III National Champs).
Awards and Honors Patriot League Academic Honor Roll; Captain of high school soccer team.
Question I am 21 years old and I think is my last oportunity to play professional
soccer. I been playing soccer sense I was a 8 years old. I had lots of
oportunities I was playing soccer in a third divission in Mexico and than I had
tryout for a season with tecos de Guadalajara I broke my toe and stop
playing for a year. I started playing again last year I am in a 70 percent fit
and I want to be in 100 percent so I need help to be in condition again like I
was when I was 18. I am 6.2 ft weight 180 lbs.
Answer I think it's great that you are taking another shot at playing professionally. I can give you some suggestions for runs but depending on the exact fitness level you are trying to achieve you might also want to consider meeting with a personal trainer. It sounds like you are mainly trying to build up conditioning so that you are fit for any trials you might have with professional teams.
I'm sure you are already running every day, but are you varying your runs? One day do a sprint workout, the next day a fartlek, and the day after that a long run to loosen the legs. I've provided a few suggestions for each of these runs as well as some tests that you can use either as a workout or as a way to see how your conditioning is coming along.
Fartleks: Vary the distances or times of each speed.
STRAIGHTAWAYS AND TURNS - Jog the turns and sprint the straightaways on the track.
LADDERS - Jog 10 seconds, sprint 10 seconds, then jog 20s, sprint 20s, jog 30s, sprint 30s, continue up the ladder increasing by 10 seconds until jog 60s, sprint 60s, then start back down the ladder jog 60s, sprint 60s, jog 50s, sprint 50s, etc. The whole thing will take you 14 minutes to complete. Try to complete this a minimum of 4 times in a row. When doing ladders you can do distance or time.
Sprints:
FOOTBALL FIELD SPRINT - Utilizing a football field, start at the endzone and sprint to the 10 yard line and back, take a 20 second break then sprint to the 20 and back, take another 20 second break then sprint to the 30 and back. Increase the distance by 10 yards each time until completing two full field sprints.
HILLS - Easy enough to figure out. If you can find a decent sized hill sprint up and jog back down, rest for 20 seconds then do it again.
Timed Runs:
COOPERS TEST - See how far you can run in 12 minutes. You should be able to complete at least 2 miles. Strive for 2.5 miles.
BEEP TEST - For this test you should strive to complete level 13 (there are a few English Premiere League players who have made it to levels 15 and 17 and there are supposedly a few people who have completed the entire test. I am not saying you need to do this in order to play at a professional level, I am merely telling you that it is possible to achieve these levels). The following is the link on how to set up the test as well as the instructions. You will also find the download of the actual test (http://www.defence.gov.au/army/HQ8BDE/jobs/Fitness.htm)
Stick with your training and I'm sure you will find your conditioning coming back. Good luck with everything and if you need any other advice please write again!!!
