Abstract Beato, M, Bianchi, M, Coratella, G, Merlini, M, and Drust, B. Effects of plyometric and
directional training on speed and jump performance in elite youth soccer players. J Strength
Cond Res 32 (2): 289–296, 2018—Soccer players perform approximately 1,350 activities
(every 4–6 seconds), such as accelerations/decelerations and changes of direction (CODs)
during matches. It is well established that COD and plyometric training have a positive
impact on fitness parameters in football players. This study analyzed the effect of a complex …

Purpose: To investigate whether the combination of a soccer training session, plyometric
training, and change-of-direction (COD) exercises would enhance soccer ability to a greater
extent than training on its own in youth soccer players. Methods: Thirty-one youth players
participated in this study (age: 12 [0.8] y). Players were randomly separated into 2 groups: a
control group (CG, n= 14) and an intervention group that performed extra plyometric training
and COD exercises (intervention group, n= 17). The duration of the training program was 6 …