A Strength Plan for Professional Soccer Players

The athletes also performed two single-leg movements. During the warm-up, they performed single-leg deadlifts and finished the session with a loaded Bulgarian split squat, beginning unweighted and gradually increasing load and volume with a kettlebell. The goal was to activate the movement of the hip joint, which was complemented by the hip hinge of the swing. To train maximal strength, we utilized these movements to serve different goals. The two-legged lifts created muscle tension which complements a sport like soccer, while the single-legged movements were helpful assistance exercises for correcting strength imbalances between two limbs.

A Program for Strength and Power

During the off-season, which lasts about four weeks, the athletes were taught the kettlebell swing and the Zercher squat. They were instructed according to StrongFirst principles in collaboration with Fabio Zonin.

Bulgarian Split Squat

The Bulgarian split squat was performed twice a week during the off-season. We followed a step cycle program and weekly increased the total load by adding volume to each set. The progression of reps is shown in the table below (Table 1).  

In-season, we increased the load again by increasing the kettlebell weight. The goal of our programming strategy was to have the athlete perform the set number of repetitions (2, 4, 6 reps x 3 sets) with a kettlebell equal to about 1/3 of his bodyweight. When an athlete reached the 1/3 bodyweight goal, we introduced reverse airborne lunges.

Kettlebell Swing and Zercher Squat

During the off-season, the kettlebell swing and the Zercher squat were performed twice a week. The total load and volume of the swing were increased weekly as long as the athlete maintained proper technique. We also increased the workload of the Zercher squat and, similar to the swing, focused on keeping the repetitions technically sound. During the last week of the off-season, we tested the Zercher squat to find each athlete’s five rep max (5RM).

As we approached the competitive in-season, we cut our training sessions down to once a week. In this cycle, the goal was to develop maximum power in the swing and increase maximum strength in the Zercher squat. We increased the swing weight by going up one kettlebell size, while reducing the number of reps. During the first two weeks, we varied the load by alternating sets with different kettlebells. For example, a player who originally used the 16kg kettlebell alternated a set with the 16kg and 20kg, and a player who originally used the 20kg kettlebell did the same with the 24kg. We lowered the volume and increased the intensity (Table 2).

The third week we switched to using the heavier kettlebell for all sets and reps. The intent was to increase the volume while maintaining power in each swing.

In the next cycle, about three months into our program, we raised the training intensity to develop maximum power. To achieve this goal, we used a kettlebell size equal to 1/3 of the athlete’s bodyweight and switched to low reps: 5 every 30 seconds or a given timeframe that changed each session (Table 3).

Once we identified each athlete’s 5RM Zercher squat, we began a step cycle program. The program began with 5 sets of 3 reps with the athlete’s 5RM, which increased one rep each set every two weeks. The rep increase stopped at 5 sets of 5 reps. In week six, we decreased the volume but increased the load by 5kg. We continued to increase the load until the athlete was no longer able to handle the weight or maintain appropriate technique (Table 4).

Contrary to what often happens in this sport, we did not decrease workload, volume, or intensity to account for the competitive commitments of the athletes. Many trainers tend to decrease training programs as important games approach. Instead, we continued our weekly sessions, maintaining our goal of activating the athlete’s central nervous system and building maximal strength and power. Despite the limited time and high strength demands that occur during competition, pausing the weekly training sessions was unnecessary considering the small amount of time required. When each athlete reached the goal of a 125% bodyweight Zercher squat, we transitioned to Easy Strength, a program by Pavel. Easy Strength maintained the athlete’s strength level throughout the season, requiring minimal effort and time. After training the kettlebell swing for about six months, following Fabio Zonin’s advice, we introduced the swing protocol from Pavel’s book, The Quick and the Dead.  This plan was chosen to improve the athlete’s maximum power, while avoiding excessive H+ accumulation and soreness during the competitive season.

Building a Strong Upper Body

Following StrongFirst principles, I also proposed a program to strengthen the upper body in addition to the lower limbs. Building muscle mass in the upper body not only increases speed during acceleration but is also valued by players. During the off-season, I proposed two weekly training sessions to be performed before the kettlebell swings and the Zercher squat. The exercises included horizontal and vertical push-and-pull motor patterns. Knowing that many players appreciate visible muscle tone, I also included two exercises for biceps and triceps. The first session of the week included half-kneeling landmine press, pullups, and triceps exercises. The second session included bench press, single-arm kettlebell row, and biceps exercises. The two training sessions are described below.

Session One

Half-Kneeling Landmine Press

After two weeks of training the half-kneeling landmine press, each athlete tested the weight for their 8-9RM. The athletes performed sets of 2-6 reps with this load. Every two sessions we increased the load by 3% stopping when repetitions could not be completed. When an athlete failed to complete the prescribed number of reps or his technique broke down, he stepped back, rested, and started again. The goal was to press a weight equal to 50% of the athlete’s bodyweight.

Pullups

After demonstrating proper technique, we tested the maximum reps of each athlete’s bodyweight pullups. The players who could not perform pullups, completed flexed-arm hangs followed by controlled negatives until they could perform a strict rep. The pullup is an exercise that requires a fair amount of strength. Not everyone can perform the same number of reps or even complete one. Based on the athlete’s maximum reps, we designed personalized programs according to the StrongFirst Fighter Pullup Program.

Session Two

Bench Press

After two weeks of movement preparation and technique training, we tested the athlete’s maximum weight for 7-8 reps with good technique. Using this weight, the players performed 5 sets of 5 reps. Every two sessions the load was increased by 3%, no less than 2.5kg at a time, until all reps were completed. When the athlete failed or his technique broke down, he stepped back, rested, and started again. The intent was for each athlete to complete five reps with a weight equal to his bodyweight.

Single-Arm Kettlebell Row

Following two weeks of technique and movement preparation, we tested each athlete’s single-arm row to find the kettlebell weight for their 7-8RM. Using this load, the players performed sets ranging from 2-6 reps, increasing the volume by two reps every two sessions. During the initial phase, the players performed a supported single-arm row. The goal was to complete all reps with a weight equal to 1/3 of the players’ bodyweight. In the next phase, we increased the technical difficulty, switching from a supported single-arm row to an unsupported one. As we increased technical difficulty, the weight used by the athlete dropped by 15%.

A Revolutionary Training Program

Following StrongFirst training principles and plans, the Renate Calcio team achieved impressive results. Training the Zercher squat once a week with sub-maximal loads raised maximal strength levels and increased each athlete’s 1RM.  Within four months, all players reached a 1RM that ranged from 130-160% of their bodyweight. The kettlebell swing proved to be an excellent method to train hip extensor muscles and improve the athletes’ hip hinge patterns. Hip extensor muscle training considerably reduced the rate of injuries. After eight months, we still have not had any cases of injured hamstrings, which is one of the most common injuries among soccer players. The StrongFirst training systems used with this team resulted in an increase of strength and performance levels that did not stress the nervous system or cause physical exhaustion. This was especially apparent by increased athletic performance during the second half of the game when fatigue typically sets in. Renate Calcio began the season as a low-ranking team but impressively finished the season between second and fourth place in the national ranking. The significant results of this program demonstrate that StrongFirst training systems could become a revolutionary program for soccer teams at any level.

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Mauro Franzetti

Mauro Franzetti holds a degree in Sports Science, a doctorate in Osteopathy, and a PhD in Neurophysiology. For more than 20 years, he has worked as a professional strength and conditioning coach for Italian and international soccer teams. In 2015, he completed his first StrongFirst workshop in Italy. He has written two books published in Italian on the effects of lactic acid and functional training: Acido Lattico e Sport, dalla fisiologia all’allenamento and L’allenamento funzionale su misura, 150 esercizi per stare bene. He focuses not only on athletic performance, but also injury prevention. His frequent exchange of ideas with Fabio Zonin, StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, led him to apply StrongFirst principles to soccer athletes and has completely changed his perspective on training. His home base is near Milan, Italy.