This book provides the definitive guide to how strength and conditioning (S&C) can be effectively applied in football, up to the professional level. S&C is well established as a cornerstone of sports science in elite sport, and professional football now includes S&C as a key part in the preparation and training of players, with S&C specialists helping to make players more robust, more efficient, and more explosive.

Applying true S&C expertise to help all players become more effective, this book covers all aspects which contribute to successful practice, including effective communication, the performance model-based approach which underpins the practice, and, of course, practical exercise prescription. This guide deals in much more than a list of exercises. Critical topics such as effective coaching, injury prevention philosophy and practice, and performance enhancement and monitoring are covered in depth.

This book represents a unique resource for both existing and aspiring football S&C coaches as well as sports science graduates. In a developing field, this pioneering text will help to shape and define the role of the S&C coach within the sport.

Section 1 - Philosophy & Effective Practice \ 1. Introduction \ 2. Team Sport Performance Model \ 3. Systems of Delivery \ Section 2 - Injury Prevention \ 4. Model of Injury Prevention \ 5. Planning Injury Prevention \ 6. Specific Injury Systems - Hamstrings \ 7. Specific Injury Systems - Groins \ 8. Specific Injury Systems - Knees \ Section 3 - Performance Enhancement \ 9. Fundamental Principles of Performance Enhancement \ 10. Speed Enhancement & Running Mechanics \ 11. Improving Speed in the Weight Room \ 12. Upper Body & Trunk Training \ 13. Goalkeepers \ Section 4 - Applied Lessons \ 14.Programming & Planning \ 15.Practical Tools