The New England winter is nearly here, and soon, our soccer fields in Bedford, MA, will be covered in snow. Even if you like snow, you have to admit that it makes it hard to play soccer outdoors. However, if you’re a serious soccer player, you can’t take the winter off. So, what do you do? If you have access to indoor turf, that’s great, but that’s not an option for everyone. Even if you can’t play on turf, there are plenty of things you can do to maintain your fitness over the winter.
Keep up your skills even when the soccer fields in Bedford, MA, are covered in snow. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your fitness.
Drill Skills Indoors
Even if you can’t get to a field or indoor turf, you can still drill your skills in the winter. For example, you don’t need much space to juggle a soccer ball, which is a great way to improve touch, coordination, and balance. If you have access to a large indoor space, like a basketball court, you can also practice ball control, quick passing, and dribbling. You can practice cone dribbling, ladder drills, and similar exercises that hone your soccer skills.
Strength Training
Strength training should be part of any soccer player’s fitness program throughout the year, but especially in the winter. Doing strength training exercises—both with and without equipment—helps improve stamina as well as strength, which is crucial for a sport that involves a lot of running. Strength training also improves speed and reflexes.
Cardio Fitness
Cardio exercises are another way to improve stamina. If it’s too cold and icy to run outside in the winter, there are always treadmills indoors. Elliptical and rowing machines are alternatives to treadmills that offer a full-body workout. If you’re someone who thinks treadmills are “boring,” give one of these other machines a try. However you choose to do it, keeping up cardio fitness is vital for soccer players. You don’t want to be out of breath when you start running up and down the field again in the spring.
Soccer in Bedford, MA | The Edge Sports Center
Come to The Edge Sports Center for pickup soccer games, strength training, and more. Soccer players of all ages can benefit from what we have to offer. Contact us to learn more or check out our pickup soccer schedule.