How can I make my child faster for soccer?

Parents usually mean something very specific when they say they want their child to be faster for soccer: they want them to win the first metres, recover into shape, and not look a step late when the ball is played in behind.

That is not the same thing as running a faster 100 metres. Soccer speed is built from acceleration, mechanics, strength, and the ability to use that speed in the chaos of a game.

What actually makes a soccer player look quick

• Acceleration — the first 5 to 20 metres, from a standing or rolling start.
• Deceleration and change of direction — because soccer is not a straight line.
• Running mechanics — whether the way they run is helping or leaking speed.
• Strength and power — so the athlete can produce force quickly, repeatedly.
• Game speed — using those qualities at the right moment, under fatigue.

Don't guess the bottleneck

Two 13-year-olds can both look 'slow' for completely different reasons. One may struggle to produce force. Another may accelerate well but lose everything when they have to turn. A third may have the physical tools and still run in a way that limits them.

That is why ASP starts with a sports science assessment rather than a generic speed ladder session. Measure first. Then train the thing that is actually limiting the athlete.

What to do next

If your child plays soccer in Johannesburg and speed is the concern, the cleanest starting point is a 60-minute ASP Sports Science Assessment at Wanderers Club in Illovo. You leave with data, a report, a consultation, and a plan — for R750.