Training specifically to improve speed and agility has many benefits, both for footballers and for participants in many other sports, such as rugby, netball and basketball. Whilst agility training sessions might not always involve a ball, that doesn’t mean this approach is any less important in helping to produce a more rounded player and team, with great core fitness on which to build football-specific skills.
Agility ladders, rings and specialist speed training equipment are a great way to work on improving a player’s specific ability to quickly change direction, accelerate and decelerate suddenly. This helps to increase base fitness, along with minimising the risk of injury when carrying out similar manoeuvres during a match. As part of a wider training program, using agility hurdles, ladders and rings will help players to develop their speed, accuracy, strength and overall fitness to another level.