Are you still making kids run laps and do bleep tests to “get fit” for football?

There's a better (and more enjoyable way).

In this video, we break down:

• ​What football fitness actually means for kids
• ​Why long runs and isolated drills don’t work
• ​The science behind children's recovery, VO2 max, and strength development
• ​What coaches and parents should do instead
• ​How to build football-specific fitness through play, games, and decision-making

Whether you're a grassroots football coach or a football parent, this episode will hopefully help you think differently about football for fitness for kids.

No more outdated methods.

Let's create enjoyable, effective football training that actually helps kids develop.

Research papers/further reading:

Manna, I. (2014)Growth, Development and Maturity in Children and Adolescent: Relation to Sports and Physical Activity.

Marta, C. et al. (2013)Determinants of Physical Fitness in Prepubescent Children and Its Training Effects.

Armstrong, N., & Welsman, J. (2020)The Development of Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness with Reference to Youth Athletes.

Bailey, R. et al. (2012)Participant Development in Sport and Physical Activity: The Impact of Biological Maturation.

Baxter-Jones, A.D.G. et al. (2005)Controlling for Maturation in Pediatric Exercise Science.

Sannicandro, I. et al. (2024)Developing Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Dynamic–Ecological vs. Traditional Training.

Viru, A. et al. (1999)Critical Periods in the Development of Performance Capacity in Childhood.

Prasad, N. (1996)The Relationship Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Capacities in Prepubertal Children.

Granacher, U. et al. (2016)Effects of Resistance Training on Muscular Fitness and Athletic Performance in Youth.

Seifert, L. & Davids, K. (2016)Ecological Dynamics: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Sport Performance.