Functional Training is training of players in their positions; specifically, it is training players in the techniques and tactics that are most commonly used in their positions.  As an example, functional training for defender can include training how to serve longer balls or clear the ball under pressure (technical functional training), or teaching defenders how to initiate counter-attacks or how to build out of the back (tactical functional training).  

Functional Training is training of players in their positions; specifically, it is training players in the techniques and tactics that are most commonly used in their positions.  As an example, functional training for defender can include training how to serve longer balls or clear the ball under pressure (technical functional training), or teaching defenders how to initiate counter-attacks or how to build out of the back (tactical functional training).

On August 16, 2012, FC Wisconsin Eclipse held the first of many functional training sessions that will occur during the 2012-2013 season.  All players within the club participated in one of two functional training sessions:

Session 1: Defenders and Midfielders

• Technical Focus: (i) Heading; (ii) Clearing
• Tactical Focus: (i) Defending Shape in a Zonal Back Four; (ii) Defending in Midfield
• Combined Tactical Focus: Building Attacks out of the Back

• Technical Focus: Finishing from Combinations in the Final Third
• Tactical Focus: Combination Play to Create Goal-Scoring Opportunities

The value and importance of functional training can be seen best by watching it in a training session.  Below are videos of some of today’s training exercises:

Technical Functional Training – Clearing

The videos below show FC Wisconsin Eclipse players training the technical skill of defensive clearing.  The first video shows training using an agility ladder to train basic footwork and movement, but also to force the players to go through different athletic movements before executing a technical skill (increasing realism and demand).  The second video shows training using a passive defender to work around - increasing the training demand.  Both videos show how this skill is trained first without opposition (but with athletic demands), and then with passive opposition, to increase the demands on the player.

Tactical Functional Training – Building out of the Back

The video below shows FC Wisconsin defenders and midfielders learning how to build attacks out of the back, specifically by “playing through the thirds of the field” (defensive third, midfield third, and attacking third).  In this training, the players are learning spacing, how to position themselves on angles from each other, and how to quickly switch the point of attack through the back.  In the video, two different “teams” are training the same concept; this type of passive opposition adds technical and tactical demands to the exercise.

Technical Functional Training – Finishing

The video below shows players getting high numbers of repetition of finishing skills and of a common combination to create goal-scoring opportunities.  The session focuses on repetition of situations that occur in the game, with an emphasis on technical speed and quality.

Functional training is a key part of player development at older youth age groups.  To see excerpts of a functional training session done with the U18 US Soccer Men’s National Team by former US Soccer Men’s National Team Forward Brian McBride, look below.  You will several examples of training concepts that were incorporated in today’s FC Wisconsin Eclipse functional training sessions, including: (i) agility ladders to force quick feet and athletic movement; and (ii) high repetitions of isolated technique.

The focus on functional training is another way that FC Wisconsin Eclipse focuses uniquely on player development for the highest levels.