Strength & Conditioning

Movement Training, commonly referred to as SAQ (Speed, Agility, and Quickness) training is one of the most misunderstood, undervalued, and undertrained aspects of Youth Soccer. People usually assume these skills are already being trained simultaneously through soccer-specific trainings alone. The players who seem to struggle with them simply get labeled as “genetically not fast or athletic”. The reality is any proficiency in these skills must be trained and developed over time with proper techniques. Very few people, young or adult, can actually move efficiently without being taught. Otherwise, they would be kinesthetic geniuses; there are not that many around! 

Furthermore, on average a soccer player spends more than 98% of the time in the game WITHOUT the ball. Around 11% of that time is spent in high-powered movements such as jumping and landing, sprinting, quick changes of directions, and so forth. Research also demonstrates that these high-powered moments usually decide the outcome of the game as most goals scored or saved are preceded by one or a combination of these events. It’s also well understood that superior soccer players are able to move and influence the game without having the ball. Needless to say, lack of training in movement efficiency simply leads to poor overall game performance and increased likelihood of getting injured.

 Hi, my name is Coach Noel. I’m the Strength and Conditioning Coach for CCSF. I continuously gather education and practical experience to deliver sound and scientific approach to training our athletes. I have a Master’s Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science; hold the CSCS: the premier national certification to train athletic performance at all levels Youth through pros; and I’m also a US Soccer National D licensed coach, have been around soccer my whole life, and have coached soccer. All my sessions are based on scientific foundations of human movements (biomechanics), and research from some of the most internationally renowned soccer academies. Every session has specific training purpose with proper coaching cues, desired outcomes, emphasis on techniques, and provide direct transfer to the game of soccer via explicit explanations, demonstrations, and sometimes mini games involving the soccer ball in order to drive the point home. We work on how to properly generate and absorb force, picking up speed and slowing down, changing directions, jumping and landing, balance and bodily alignment, core and overall strength, and more in order to improve optimal performance and injury prevention. It’s my great pleasure to work with our teams and any individual looking to improve on the overall game and physical performance. Thank you! 

• Master of Science in Exercise and Nutrition Science, University of Tampa
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist CSCS, National Strength and Conditioning Association
• USSF D, United States Soccer Federation National D Licensed Soccer Coach