2012 Youth Coaching Manual - AFL Community

Whatever the details of the method used, the rate of work should be progressively increased. Weights are increased in
weight training, new targets set in circuit training, harder demands are made on the respiratory cardiovascular system in
endurance training etc. It is now understood that the greatest gains in physical conditioning occur during periods of recovery
and rest between hard training sessions. It is the body’s response to the stress of the training that leads to increased strength
and endurance.
2. Specificity
All fitness training must be specific to the demands of the game. With running training, the intensity, the distance covered
and the number of repetitions must be specific to the playing requirements. The demands of the various playing positions
should also be considered.
To maintain the player’s interest, it’s important to vary the fitness program by using a variety of specific activities. Some of
these can be adapted from other sports. For example, the running and jumping components of many team sports are similar,
therefore a worthwhile addition to the footballer’s fitness training program may be an occasional game of another team sport.
3. Individual differences
Individual differences exist between the levels of fitness and the response to training for players in all sports. A training
program must cater for individual needs and preferences. In team sports such as Australian Football, a coach should have an
overall plan and modify it for each player/group of players, as players will not respond identically to a method of exercise –
e.g. some players respond to hard training better than others and some may require longer periods to recover from a heavy
training session or game. Coaches should recognise these differences and adjust the program accordingly by either reducing
the training load or lengthening the recovery periods. Do not individualise to the detriment of the overall team.
4. Variation
Variety can help maintain a player’s interest in training. By varying the training venue or by applying different training
methods, a coach can ensure his/her players are enthusiastic and willing to improve.
You may like to use the following ideas to add variety to conditioning programs:
• Change the practice venue.
• Change the mode of activity. Endurance can be improved using fartlek, continuous or interval training.
• If the sport requires several different physical capacities, change the emphasis from one to another when possible.
• Alternate between competitive and non-competitive practice regimes.
• Change the number of repetitions or sets, or the tempo or recovery between sets, or change the speed of repetitions and
exercises.
• Include an occasional game of another team sport. The more closely related an alternative activity is to Australian
Football, the more beneficial it will be.
5. Reversibility
Development of fitness is reversible. If a player stops training, either by ceasing the activity altogether or by reducing the
training load, acquired fitness levels will diminish accordingly. Players who have been forced to become inactive due to an
injury, will usually adapt quickly to a practice program when they restart activity. The longer the time a player has trained,
the slower the loss of physical conditioning will be if training is halted.
96 AFL Youth Coaching Manual