Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:28     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I didn't say DON'T do it - I said focus on other things like subsequent posters pointed out. What are the chances we have extremely high level academy parents posting here? I'm talking about typical U12 development and speed training is so low on the totem pole.


Also, I do come from a high level in another sport and copying what the "pros" do is a recipe for disaster for the average participant. So quoting SAQ etc, isn't some great argument.


They said copy what the pro academy kids of same age do, not what professional men do

How can quoting what the best do not be a great argument?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:24     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
*typical
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:23     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.


No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13


It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!


You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.


This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.


Speaking of typing dcum people

You just agreed with PP that juggling isn't enough for game touch skills while also saying they don't know what they talking about
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:21     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I didn't say DON'T do it - I said focus on other things like subsequent posters pointed out. What are the chances we have extremely high level academy parents posting here? I'm talking about typical U12 development and speed training is so low on the totem pole.


Also, I do come from a high level in another sport and copying what the "pros" do is a recipe for disaster for the average participant. So quoting SAQ etc, isn't some great argument.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:18     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I didn't say DON'T do it - I said focus on other things like subsequent posters pointed out. What are the chances we have extremely high level academy parents posting here? I'm talking about typical U12 development and speed training is so low on the totem pole.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 12:14     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.


No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13


It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!


You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.


This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 11:22     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.


No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13


It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!


You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 23:02     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.


No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13


It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 14:20     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.


No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2025 19:28     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
It won’t hurt, but you’re going to need to keep up some sort of training as he grows because he will change size and shape and need to continue training on form

My kid has done track training and performance training. The track training was better for speed, the performance training was better for agility and muscle, balancing to avoid injury.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2025 19:22     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?


I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2025 18:42     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!


What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2025 18:11     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2025 16:14     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.


So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?


Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣


The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it


The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️


Whether free or costing money, SAQ training with balance and coordination elements is a positive for every player
Anonymous
Post 09/12/2025 12:15     Subject: Speed training for U12 soccer player?
The answer is, it depends.

If they have reached 90% of their technical ceiling but only 50% of their speed ceiling then the laws of diminishing returns would suggest speed training is something to look into vs just another round of cone drills and juggling.