specific soccer skills such as passing and shooting (Russell, Benton, & Kingsley 2011). Russell and colleagues conducted a study which indicated that shooting accuracy decreased by up to 25.5 ± 4.0% and passes were 7.8 ± 4.3% slower after match simulated fatigue was induced. These findings indicate that fatigue will begin to effect player performance as the match progresses, which should come as no surprise. There are other studies which support these findings as well, such as the study conducted by Olcay Mulazimoglu, which indicated that there is a significant correlation between the increasing fatigue levels and passing accuracy of players (Mulazimoglu, 2014).
As a coach, it is our job to train the athletes for optimal performance during competition and this process should first begin with assessing the quality of the athlete. Knowing the quality of your athletes is essential if you wish for that quality to improve. If an athlete possesses exceptional skills, which consist of only ball skills or physical skills, then they will certainly not produce peak level performances. The effects of fatigue are certainly not limited to just skills with a ball as they will also hinder other qualities such as speed, power, and agility. As such, it is important to incorporate the proper training methods to resist the onset of fatigue so that optimal performances can be maintained throughout the course of a match.
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- McArdle, W. & Katch, F. (2010). Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Exercise physiology: Nutrition, energy, and human performance (7th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 17.
- Mulazimoglu, O. (2014). An investigation of the effect of fatigue on passing accuracy in soccer players. International Journal of Academic Research, 6(2), 259-267.
- Powers, S., & Howley, E. (2007). Skeletal muscle: Structure and Function. Exercise physiology: Theory and application to fitness and performance (7th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. 151
- Reilly, T., Williams, A. M., Nevill, A., & Franks, A. (2000). A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18(9), 695-702.
- Russell, M., Benton, D., & Kingsley, M. (2011). The effects of fatigue on soccer skills performed during a soccer match simulation. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 6, 221-233.
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