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Training methods responsible for injuries?

Sorry to bring up injuries again. Just wanted to share some quotes by Carlos Ancelotti which I found interesting:(link: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_5705262,00.html)

“I've gone for the very same fitness routine introduced by Guus Hiddink, without the slightest change. It's a routine that has drastically reduced the number of injuries over the last season. I've only increased the tactical training sessions, something the English are usually allergic to”...

I think some previous TW posts debated the possibility of training sessions as contributing to players' injuries. But I don't recall if it was sufficiently proven or disproven. Just thought of reopening discussion following Ancelotti's quotes... as he seems to imply that certain training methods may risk more injuries to players...

Could this be true?
Marcus Choo, Thailand Posted 19/11/2009 at 23:17:57

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Russell Buckley
1 Posted 20/11/2009 at 04:55:19

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Marcus,

Of course certain traning methods have a greater risk of injuries to the players. Walking though tactics isn’t going to tear you hamstring off the bone.

It all depends on how intense the physical demands are, (e.g doing sprints, havig a training game etc).

Ancelotti’s correct in what he says but there has to be a balance you won’t be much of a team if all you do is tactics.

That being said I wouldn’t be suprised considering Moyes style if we do less tactics than the likes of this years Chelsea.

Andy Fletcher
2 Posted 20/11/2009 at 09:14:17

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I think there is no doubt we do more physical stuff than tactical.

I coach a senior semi-pro team and we don't have a very big budget, therefore we can't compete with the best teams in our league as they pay more money and get the best players.

Our only way of competing is to ensure our players are fitter than 75 % of other teams in the league, this can mean a sneaky goal at the end for a draw or even nick a win, it doesn't always work as quality can shine through anyway.

I would suggest Moyes works on this system but maybe now we have a few more technical players such as Bily, Peanuts and Arteta then perhaps the balance of his training sessions should adapt.

Dick Fearon
3 Posted 20/11/2009 at 09:09:48

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Some injuries are accidental yet I am convinced that others result from the ever increasing speed of the game with its bigger demands on the body not being complemented with the latest in fitness training.
What is needed is a university level of knowledge in the physical demands of elite sport. I doubt that the average football coach would have anywhere near those kind of qualifications.

Specialised fitness coaches need not be involved with anything other than the physical aspect of the game.

I wonder who else remembers Ian Buchan who was appointed as Everton’s de facto manager in the 50s.
Ian came from Edinburgh University where he specialised in physical fitness. Tactically he was a bit naive but there was no doubting we had the fittest team in the division if not the world.

Dick Fearon
4 Posted 20/11/2009 at 09:52:03

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I have unsuccesfully tried to find out who is responsible for Everton’s fitness program?
Does anyone know who he is or even if we have one.

Brian Waring
5 Posted 20/11/2009 at 10:18:24

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I’m sure I read somewhere, that Benitez is now looking into their training methods, because of the injuries they have had.

Danny Burke
6 Posted 20/11/2009 at 10:30:03

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Training didn’t cause Jag's and Mikky's knees to buckle sideways and rupture their cruciates. Same with Yak's achilles. They are freak occurances that can happen at any time. Neither did they injure Peanuts (rugby tackle) and Nev (bad challange) or Big Vic (horror challenge).

There are I'm sure ways of training to reduce strains and muscle pulls etc but they are powerless to prevent the big injuries we have had.

Aiden Doyle
7 Posted 20/11/2009 at 10:34:09

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This may answer some of your questions guys:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=677625&cc=5739

Gavin Ramejkis
8 Posted 20/11/2009 at 10:40:22

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I think this is a really interesting thread and I’m of the view a lot of the injuries in football today apart from shithouse cripplers are from torsion type incidents where the joint or body part; knee or ankle is forced to twist unnaturally. There will always be unfortunate incidents of this where studs are firmly bedded in the pitch and the player moves awkwardly.

I was just wondering if there is any way to train to strengthen against torsion. Surely there must be some professional sports physiotherapists out there?

Mark Stone
9 Posted 20/11/2009 at 10:49:54

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Dick

It’s Dave Billows and Stefano Marrone.

They do have the level of knowledge that you talk of. They also have some profesisonal support from sports scientists at at LJMU (however my opinion some of what they do at LJMU is innappropriate/unnecessary*).

*This is based on what was going on a 3 or 4 years ago, it may have changed.

ps: Wwhat Danny Burke has said is spot-on.

Craig Mcmahon
10 Posted 20/11/2009 at 13:05:32

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Very true, we have just been incredibly unlucky injury-wise but what’s people’s opinions on our general fitness for the full 90 minutes? I remember reading in Rooney’s book that he said Everton’s training sessions were pretty heavy and that come matchday the players were tired towards the end of games while the training at Man U was considerably lighter with more time being spent on ball work.

Brian Waring
11 Posted 20/11/2009 at 13:24:32

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"More time being spent on ball work" — I don’t reckon Moyes would understand what that meant.

Gavin Ramejkis
12 Posted 20/11/2009 at 19:02:02

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Had to grin at that Brian, can almost hear him at Finch Farm - "right you lot, the defence, get the ball and twat it as far as you can, never ever keep hold of it"

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