Podcast 105 – The Strong Female Soccer Athlete with Erica Suter
Aug 13, 2024
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In this engaging conversation, Erica Suter, a seasoned Speed, Agility, and Strength Coach, shares her expertise as a 3-time college All-American and former semi-pro soccer player. She emphasizes the importance of representation among female coaches and how tailored training can empower young female athletes. Discussion highlights include the benefits of unilateral training and the critical role of strength, nutrition, and injury prevention strategies. Erica also advocates for unstructured play to develop creativity in youth sports, showcasing her commitment to fostering resilience in young athletes.
Empowering young female athletes through enjoyable training environments fosters confidence and prevents burnout, promoting lifelong health benefits.
Addressing factors contributing to ACL injuries through year-round strength training and nutrition education is crucial for keeping female athletes healthy.
Deep dives
The Importance of Female Athlete Development
Training methods for female athletes often lack the focus and quality seen in male training. Effective strength and agility coaching should prioritize empowering young female athletes by fostering their love for the sport and enjoyment of training. It’s essential for coaches to create environments where young girls can thrive and gain confidence, ensuring that the training experience is enjoyable to prevent burnout. Positive experiences in strength and conditioning can lead to lifelong health benefits beyond athletic performance.
Addressing Injury Prevention in Female Athletes
ACL injuries are a significant concern for female athletes, with a variety of factors contributing to their high incidence. Factors such as insufficient strength, hormonal influences, and under-fueling must be addressed through year-round strength training and proper nutrition. Emphasizing nutrition and education alongside a strong pre-season training program can help mitigate risks and keep athletes healthy. Coaches must engage regularly with female athletes to ensure they are aware of proper fueling strategies to enable optimal performance.
Effective Training Modalities for Soccer Players
Young soccer players often engage in excessive aerobic training rather than high-intensity, sport-specific work that enhances speed and explosiveness. True speed development requires short, intense bursts of effort rather than long-distance running, which is less applicable to the demands of soccer. Additionally, coaches must focus on integrating reactive and decision-making drills that mimic game scenarios, promoting adaptability and quick thinking. Emphasizing these components not only prepares athletes for competition but also enriches their overall training experience.
Long-Term Athletic Development Philosophy
Athletes should be viewed as 'athletes for life' rather than solely being defined by their sport. Coaches have a responsibility to remind young athletes of the broader benefits of training, beyond immediate performance goals. Fostering a balance between athletic commitments and personal life experiences is crucial for long-term development and well-being. Creating a culture that values personal growth and resilience will contribute positively to the athletes' lives, making the journey meaningful regardless of their future in sports.
Erica Suter is a Speed, Agility, and Strength Coach in Tampa, Florida and online, who has been working with athletes for 13 years. She is the author of The Strong Female Athlete book, which is a science-based and experience-based text with a fresh, novel approach for youth female athletes to improve speed, reduce injury, and increase strength.
Erica is also a 3x college All-American, Hall of Fame inductee for Johns Hopkins Women’s Soccer, and former US and Brazil semi-professional soccer player. Her passion for training and biomechanics led her to obtain my Master’s in Exercise Science in Performance Enhancement and Injury Reduction.