For persons interested in recreational fitness, and for elite athletes too, trading off some strength and bulk in exchange for power amounts to smart strategy. Athletic coaches are always searching for an edge that will put their teams in an advantageous competitive position; many coaches whose area of expertise is football regard strength training and weight lifting as excellent sources of development for honing the skills and abilities of their athletic teams (Bauer, 1996)
Once again, involving the core muscle groups on each and every strength training day can help prevent imbalance and injury. Some experts suggest that development training in football should include strength training, resisted training, overspeed (assisted) training, pylometric exercises, form running, and interval training (Ebben & Blackard, 1998)
The rationale behind this approach is that the more difficult the repetitions in a set of lifts or presses become, the more force must be generated to complete the last, very intense repetitions. Variables in Football Training Programs In an anaerobic strength or weight training program, the variables that must be monitored for quality control include frequency, sets, repetitions, distance, intensity, relief interval, and duration (Mannie, 1997)
Mannie (1997), as well as Bauer (1996) and Schoenfeld (1994) contend that football players participating in strength training should have their programs designed by skilled trainers who continually monitor performance and progress. Strength and weight training for specific body parts, including arms, legs, and trunk, must be included in an effective and comprehensive program rather than leave out any key body part (Schoenfeld, 1994)