How to Play a Soccer Conditioning Game

There are a variety of ways to build coordination, stamina and endurance for soccer. Because traditional methods like jogging and running tend to be boring, soccer coaches are constantly searching for new drills that are fun, as well as challenging. Here's a good conditioning game for you to try out with your players that keeps their reflexes sharp and their bodies in shape.

Instructions

1. Divide your soccer players into groups of two. If you've got an uneven number of players, put them in pairs and keep the remaining player out as the first chaser.

2. Appoint one of the players to be the chaser. The conditioning game is a variation of tag, so one of them will have need to be "It" to start.

3. Position the pairs of players in a large ring. The ring's size depends on the group's age and their fitness level, but aim for one at least 20 feet in diameter. This gives them plenty of room to run.

4. Blow a whistle or give a shout to signal the beginning of the game. The chaser must now run toward one of the pairs of players.

5. Make sure one of the players in the first pair breaks off and sprints away from the chaser.

6. Have the chased player run toward another pair. When he or she reaches this pair, one of the new players breaks off and tries to elude the player who's "It" by running toward another pair.

7. Allow the chaser to join one the groups when he or she tags her opponent. Once a player is tagged, he or she is now it and must continue chasing the others until he or she tags one of them.

8. Keep the conditioning game going until each of the players has had the chance to run around and get good exercise.