Darcy Norman, Head of Performance for the US Men's National Team, shares insights from his rich background in coaching and rehabilitation. He delves into the critical roles of acceleration and deceleration in soccer, emphasizing innovative training practices and the use of technology. Norman contrasts the training cultures of U.S. and European soccer, highlighting the evolution of player versatility and the importance of dynamic strength. He also discusses new approaches to ACL recovery and advances in women's athletics, showcasing the shifting landscape of sports performance.
The training culture in soccer diverges between Europe and the US, affecting athletes' engagement in general physical activity and soccer's mainstream appeal.
Enhancing movement efficiency and prioritizing technical ball skills are fundamental for soccer players before introducing additional resistance training for improved performance.
Deceleration training is essential for soccer athletes to prevent injuries and improve performance, necessitating exercises focused on strength and eccentric control.
Deep dives
Soccer Training Culture Comparison
The training culture for soccer varies significantly between Europe and the United States, with exercise being viewed as a lifestyle in Europe. Athletes in European countries are more likely to engage in general physical activity, while in the US, exercise is often categorized into distinct practices such as bodybuilding or aerobics. This cultural difference creates challenges for soccer in the US, where it is less mainstream compared to other sports like basketball and football. The emphasis on technical skills in soccer requires focused training sessions that prioritize playing with the ball rather than relying heavily on weight training.
Importance of Movement Efficiency
The concept of movement efficiency is crucial for soccer players, as explosive movements are essential for optimal performance. Coaches should focus on enhancing players' movement patterns and technical skills with the ball before introducing additional resistance training. By improving their movement efficiency, players can achieve greater power and effectiveness on the field, making it easier to apply strength when needed. Ultimately, training programs should emphasize functional strength that translates to improved performance in real-game scenarios.
Tactical Evolution and Conditioning
Recent trends in soccer tactics emphasize the need for players to be versatile and adaptable, both physically and tactically. The physical demands of soccer are dictated by game tactics, with players frequently changing pace and direction, resulting in varied distances covered during matches. Therefore, conditioning regimens must align with these tactical changes, focusing on conditioning within game-like situations rather than isolated running drills. Failure to adapt training to reflect real-game demands can hinder players' on-field performance and readiness.
Deceleration and Injury Prevention
Deceleration training is gaining attention as a critical component of athletic performance, especially in soccer where players need to frequently change directions. High-speed deceleration can lead to injuries if athletes are not physically prepared to handle these forces. Training should include exercises designed to enhance deceleration capabilities, including strength and eccentric control, to manage the loads experienced during gameplay effectively. Understanding and monitoring players’ abilities to decelerate can mitigate injury risks and enhance overall performance.
Revisiting ACL Rehabilitation Timelines
The traditional nine-month timeline for returning to play after an ACL injury is based on average recovery patterns, but not all patients require this duration. Rehabilitation should be tailored to individual needs, emphasizing progressions based on objective measures rather than fixed timelines. By focusing on objective assessments and performance capabilities, many athletes may return to play much sooner than conventional wisdom suggests, provided they meet critical movement and strength benchmarks. This approach challenges existing norms and could lead to improved outcomes for players post-injury.
Darcy Norman - Head of Performance, USMNT - joins us for the 60th episode of MTN. We had prepared quite a few questions on performance for Darcy but really found ourselves in a deep dive within acceleration and deceleration that was worth every minute. Darcy's incredible background combining high-performing coaching and rehabilitation makes him a wealth of knowledge.
Make sure to follow Darcy on X @DarcyNorman and on IG @darcynorman09
Find us on social media @mtn_perform and check back each Wednesday for a new episode
Big Thanks to our Sponsor, Lumin Sports:
Lumin Sports is your digital HQ for athletic performance.
The Australian-made platform centralises athlete management, team communications, scheduling, data visualisations, and features third party integrations to save valuable time and elevate decision making.
Trusted by pro-sport teams, colleges, high schools, and high-performance centres, Lumin is an affordable solution that seamlessly connects coaches, athletes, medical staff, and operations teams.
With the belief that data-driven decisions power human potential, Lumin exists to improve performance and give time back to those who need it most.
Download a free demo today to find out why teams around the world choose Lumin Sports.
& a huge Thank You to our sponsor, Hawkin Dynamics:
Hawkin is the world leader in force measuring, and continues to put forth the tools for high-performance practitioners to be exactly that, high performers. If you haven't yet checked out Hawkins - head over to their website at: https://www.hawkindynamics.com/ and check out everything they have to offer
Make sure to check out our sponsor, Samson Equipment: Samson is a leader in manufacturing elite weight room equipment (and have been for nearly 50 years). Founded by Dave and Linda Schroeder, Samson is weight room equipment made by coaches for coaches. Check them out at samsonequipment.com for more information
Shoutout to our sponsor, 1080 Motion. The 1080 Sprint is the single best piece of training equipment in the world & has continually changed the game for training speed, strength, and power. Go to 1080motion.com to learn more.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode