Strength & Conditioning

Advanced Certificate in Strength & Conditioning for Soccer Performance

The ISSPF online Advanced Certificate in Strength & Conditioning for Soccer Performance course has been designed and executed to add the science behind the actual practitioner and coaching knowledge for fitness, medical or other support staff working with soccer players.

Flexible AccessStudy anytime, at your pace
100% OnlineAccess from anywhere
15 hrs learningGuided learning
Internationally accredited & endorsedCPD-certified courseCertificate of AchievementExpert-led · 100% online

This Course Enables You To:

  • Maximal intensity conditioning periods in soccer: Physical vs. Tactical strategies
  • Understanding injury prevention and rehabilitation in soccer
  • LTAD - Training Design & Application in Youth Development
  • Biomechanical considerations within soccer: PerformanceLAB 'strength & movement principles' Part B
  • Peak velocity exposure in soccer: To sprint or not to sprint?
  • Strength & Conditioning: A current understanding
  • Nutritional optimisation of recovery and adaptation in elite soccer
  • A multi-modal approach to quantifying external load in soccer
  • Soccer specific game based training: The physical returns
  • Application & monitoring post-training & match recovery strategies in soccer

Course Details

The Advanced Certificate in Strength and Conditioning for Soccer Performance provides you with the most efficient and modern training methods, drills and exercises to maximise the speed, endurance and strength of your players for peak match day performance.

The course is comprised of the following:

  • 20 study hours
  • Pre- & post-lecture reading references
  • Multiple-choice tests
  • Course assignment
  • Certificate of Achievement
Who is this course designed for?

This course has been designed for intermediate to elite level coaches and those who have taken our Certificate in Strength & Conditioning course who want the next-level training methods and detailed strength & conditioning insights to attain peak performance of their players.

How long is the course?

This is a 20-hour course providing a deep overview of strength & conditioning best practices that can be applied to your own team environment to improve the performance of your players, and thus the results of your team.

Is my progress logged through the course?

After each lecture there is a short multiple-choice test designed to cement your learning. You can access your test results at anytime through your course progress area.

Can I stop/pause a presentation part way through?

Yes, the course is completely flexible. You can go back to a module at anytime and continue from where you left off.

Can I take the modules in any order?

No. The course follows a set structure that must be studied in numerical order. You can only access the next module once you have completed the previous module test.

Is there a time limit on the course?

Yes. This course has a 12-month access limit. You can access the course 24/7 within this period.

Will I get a certificate to show that I have passed the course?

Yes, you will receive a pass certificate provided you have attained the minimum pass grade of 75%.

If you have any further questions, please Contact Us.

Practitioners & coaches will benefit themselves, their players and their clubs through developing in-depth knowledge of the strength & conditioning training methods used by top flight clubs. The focus of the course is as follows:
  • Provides latest research findings, most efficient training methods and detailed insights into strength based training methods and tactical strategies to help players attain peak athletic performance in matches.
  • Provides an understanding of how to maximise development & preparation of players in a more efficient & modern approach
  • Understanding how to balance key training elements from a technical, tactical & physical preparation in order to attain peak performance
Official Accreditation By ISSPF

This course is fully accredited by ISSPF & ensures the study hours will contribute to the achievement of a formal accreditation & ISSPF continued professional development.

UEFA Federations

Official Accreditation By Latvian Football Federation (UEFA)

The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) fully accredits ISSPF online courses. Completion of these courses contributes to formal LFF accreditation and professional development. ISSPF courses are also recognized for UEFA PRO to C course revalidation and Professional Diploma refreshment.

Official Accreditation By Slovenian FA (NSZ) (UEFA)

The Slovenian FA (NSZ) fully accredits ISSPF online courses. Completion of these courses contributes to formal NSZ accreditation and professional development. ISSPF courses are also recognized for UEFA PRO to C course revalidation and Professional Diploma refreshment.

Official Accreditation By Iceland FA (KSI) (UEFA)

The Iceland FA (KSI) fully accredits ISSPF online courses. Completion of these courses contributes to formal KSI accreditation and professional development. ISSPF courses are also recognized for UEFA PRO to C course revalidation and Professional Diploma refreshment.

Official Accreditation By Lithuanian Football Federation (UEFA)

The Lithuania FF (LFF) fully accredits ISSPF online courses. Completion of these courses contributes to formal LFF accreditation and professional development. ISSPF courses are also recognized for UEFA PRO to C course revalidation and Professional Diploma refreshment.

CONCACAF Federation

Accredited by British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA), CONCACAF

This online course holds full accreditation from the BVIFA, guaranteeing that study hours count toward formal accreditation and BVIFA's professional development. Additionally, it's accepted for BVIFA-CONCACAF course revalidation.

Official Course Endorsement

Endorsed By Scottish Football Association (SFA)

This course has been endorsed by the SFA as part of the revalidation process.

Endorsed By Bournemouth University (BU)

This course is fully endorsed by the Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, England, UK.

Endorsed By East Tennessee State University (ETSU)

This course is fully endorsed by the ETSU, Tennessee, USA.

Endorsed By Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

This course is fully endorsed by the UiTM, Malaysia.

Endorsed By Wrexham University

This course is fully endorsed by the Wrexham University, Wrexham, Wales, UK.

Official Course Endorsement By Estonia Football Association (UEFA)

The Estonia FA (EJL) endorses ISSPF online courses. Completion of these courses contributes to professional development. ISSPF courses can be used for UEFA PRO to C course revalidation and Professional Diploma refreshment.

Official Accreditation By Football Association of Finland (UEFA)

The FA of Finland (FAF) accredits ISSPF online courses as part of their UEFA coaching program & course revalidation. Completion of these courses contributes to formal FAF accreditation refreshment and professional development.

Course Modules

01Maximal intensity conditioning periods in soccer: Physical vs. Tactical strategies

Delivered by Dr. Miguel Angel Campos Vazquez campos_Badge

In this module, you'll learn about the contrasting approaches of physical versus tactical strategies during maximal intensity conditioning periods in soccer.

02Understanding injury prevention and rehabilitation in soccer

juan carlos devia ramos_badgeDelivered by Dr. Juan Carlos Ramos

This module delves into injury prevention and rehabilitation in soccer, covering injury definitions, their frequency and localization, underscoring the significance of prevention, designing training programs to lower injury risk, and exploring rehabilitation's crucial role in facilitating a return to play.

03LTAD - Building a Model for Academy Development

Delivered by Alex Segovia VilchezAlex Segovia Vilchez

In Module 3, you'll look at how to apply a LTAD training framework and develop knowledge on Complex Dynamic Systems. You'll also explore the science behind a soccer specific LTAD model.

04Biomechanical Considerations within Soccer: Performance LAB Strength & Movement Principles

Delivered by Dr. Alessandro Lonero

In this module, we delve into the debate of Peak Velocity Exposure in soccer, tackling the question: "To sprint or not to sprint?" You'll explore the importance of sprinting in match play and its effects on player performance and injury risk. We'll examine the latest research and practical strategies for safely integrating high-velocity sprints into training, balancing the need for speed with the imperative of injury prevention. By understanding when and how to incorporate sprinting drills, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions that optimize your players' peak speed capabilities while maintaining their overall health and longevity in the sport.

05Peak velocity exposure in soccer: To sprint or not to sprint?

Delivered by Efthymios KyprianouEfthymios Kyprianou

In this module, we delve into the debate of Peak Velocity Exposure in soccer, tackling the question: "To sprint or not to sprint?" You'll explore the importance of sprinting in match play and its effects on player performance and injury risk. We'll examine the latest research and practical strategies for safely integrating high-velocity sprints into training, balancing the need for speed with the imperative of injury prevention. By understanding when and how to incorporate sprinting drills, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions that optimize your players' peak speed capabilities while maintaining their overall health and longevity in the sport.

06Strength Development in Soccer: Protection for Performance LTAD

Delivered by Hamish Munrohamishmunro_badge

This module focuses on Strength Development in Soccer within the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework, highlighting strength training as essential for performance enhancement and injury prevention across all player levels. You'll explore age-appropriate protocols for safely building young athletes' physical resilience, integrating strength conditioning principles to establish a robust foundation for player development. This approach ensures players can meet competitive soccer demands and progress through LTAD stages effectively.

07Strength & Conditioning: A current understanding

Delivered by Dr. Berni Guerrero<berni guerro

This module, "Strength & Conditioning: A Current Understanding," provides an in-depth look at the fundamentals of strength and conditioning in soccer, focusing on the balance between general and specific strength, the importance of strength in soccer-specific actions, and the critical context for designing impactful training programs. It offers insights on harmonizing overall physical development with specialized exercises to improve crucial soccer skills within the sport's distinctive tactical and environmental framework.

08Nutritional optimisation of recovery and adaptation in elite soccer

Delivered by Dr. Eirini ManthouDr. Erin Manithou

In "Nutritional Optimization for Recovery and Adaptation in Elite Soccer," this module examines the pivotal role of nutrition in elite soccer players' recovery and adaptation. It outlines strategies to effectively fuel athletes, aiming to boost post-game recovery, facilitate physiological adaptation, and sustain optimal performance throughout the season.

09A multi-modal approach to quantifying external load in soccer

Delivered Jack Sharkeyjacksharkeysmaller_badge

"Soccer-Specific Game-Based Training: The Physical Returns" explores the benefits of customized training games in meeting soccer's performance demands and enhancing player skills. The module emphasizes the critical design phase of training sessions for maximizing game-based training effectiveness. It also addresses methods for monitoring these strategies within soccer to secure the best physical outcomes from such training approaches.

10Soccer specific game based training: The physical returns

Delivered by Dr. Adam OwenDR. ADAM OWEN

Module Ten explores the integration of tailored training games to enhance soccer performance and meet competitive demands. It delves into designing effective training sessions and emphasizes monitoring methods to maximize the physical benefits of game-based strategies, ultimately aiming to bolster player capabilities through targeted, dynamic approaches.

11Application & monitoring post-training & match recovery strategies in soccer

Delivered by Dr. Patrick Ormeorme_badge-1-480x643
In module eleven, we'll dive into understanding what recovery entails in the context of soccer, including its significance for match day scenarios. We'll explore various strategies to enhance recovery post-training and matches, and discuss the importance of monitoring these recovery processes to optimize player performance and well-being.

Only$339Buy now

What you get with your enrolment:

  • 20-hours soccer-focused strength & conditioning training
  • Tutor Assessed Assignments
  • Certificate of Achievement
  • 30 day money-back guarantee

Frequently asked questions

Who is this Strength & Conditioning for Soccer Performance for?
  • Individuals tasked with the responsibility for the strength & conditioning, training, preparation & coaching aspects of soccer players.
  • Individuals with an interest in developing their own knowledge in the strength & conditioning, training & development of individual soccer players and teams.
Is this course suitable for me?
  • This course is developed and structured for all individuals with an interest in developing their knowledge around the fitness, conditioning, and strength development of players in the game, students with degree level or post-degree level educations, learners with UEFA, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, AFC or other FIFA recognised coaching awards in the training & development of individual soccer players and teams.
Why is this Strength & Conditioning course important?
  • Reveals the most efficient training methods and detailed insights into developing player strength & conditioning levels in accordance with nutritional, psychological and long-term development methodologies
  • Gain a better understanding how to maximise player development through the use of elite strength & conditioning techniques across a soccer specific pathway
  • Provides latest research findings, & contemporary training methods and detailed insights into strength and conditioning (S&C)
  • Highlights the practical application of modern, research-based training methods & assessment tools for strength & conditioning of soccer players
  • Provides an increased evidence & knowledge to understand key strength development & performance processes
  • Learn from industry experts in soccer science, strength & conditioning, & performance training
What skills will I improve if I take this course?
  • This course discusses & highlights the most efficient strength & conditioning (S&C) training methods and performance, soccer science coaching principles and detailed insights into developing performance in soccer.
  • Provides you with an increased evidence & knowledge to understand key strength & conditioning performance processes across a range of coaching science topics
  • Will enable you to discuss the most efficient S&C training methods and detailed insights into developing player fitness alongside analysis, nutritional & training methodologies
  • You will learn from industry experts in the area of football science, sport science & performance training in team sports
  • Help you to maximise your decision making through a better understanding & appreciation of football or soccer science
How will this course help me?
  • This course will help anyone interested in making better decisions when it comes to S&C coaching with individuals, groups or teams.
  • You will learn from industry experts in the areas of football science, strength & conditioning, sport science & performance training in soccer.
  • Help you to maximise your decision making through a better understanding & appreciation of S&C in soccer science.
How can this Strength & Conditioning course assist me to progress?
  • ISSPF courses are not only recommended by universities and federations around the world, but they are delivered by some of the leading S&C, coaches and performance practitioners in the game providing cutting edge methods and industry overview on dealing with specific aspects of performance coaching and development
  • ISSPF are working at accrediting all their courses through academic and footballing institutes in order to provide additional academic currency to the learner

Reviews from professional coaches

Steve McClaren
Steve McClarenManchester Utd
"This is by far the most innovative style of learning that I've seen in this digital era. The breadth of topics covered, combined with the level of detail and insights makes this a must learning environment for any coach who is working or wants to get into the game and progress to the highest levels."

Manchester Utd, Middlesborough, FC Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, England

Ringo Wu
Ringo WuAFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate
ISSPF have managed to provide our soccer coaching staff within our college team with a 1st class opportunity to learn & apply some key performance coaching aspects. The opportunity to personally develop & track the staff’s progress through their assisted e-learning process is very impressive. I highly recommend the content as a must for all individuals tasked with the development of soccer players across all levels of the game."

Head of Physical Education & Sport, Nanwai Kings College Soccer Team, Jinkai District, Jiangsu, China

Kari Ukkonen
Kari UkkonenUEFA Professional License
Working with ISSPF as an educational partner has allowed us here at the Football Association the chance to provide CPD and continue to educate our coaches across a wide range of learning levels from our UEFA foundation levels through our UEFA Professional Licence. Offering our candidates, the chance to use both the ISSPF platform & specific soccer courses, is a huge advantage to us as an education provided within the game

Head of Coach Education, Football Association of Finland, UEFA, Helsinki, Finland

Vin Blaine
Vin BlaineCONCACAF
An experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the soccer industry & having developed across a range of sports psychology, match analysis, player development, and sports management – I feel the opportunity to integrate the e-learning facility available from ISSPF into as a federation, club or individual self-development level is of huge benefit. As a FIFA & CONCACAF Instructor & Director of Football I have rarely seen an educational tool as good as this to positively influence individuals across a range of key soccer topics.
Leo Lucas da Silva
Leo Lucas da SilvaLevel-2 License
Using the ISSPF learning facility has opened my eyes to the detail and incredible knowledge provided from an elite faculty of elite coach developers and soccer science educators. As an individual who continually wants to progress my coaching pathway, I think this might be the best solution to increase my awareness of all elements of the game. The large amount of content and lectures available has already, and will continue to improve me. Gaining the Foundation Certificate in Soccer Science & Performance was extremely to me.

Youth Academy Coach, Botafogo de Futebol, Brazil

Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex FergusonManchester United
Sports science, without question is the biggest, most important change in my lifetime. It has moved the game onto another level that maybe we never dreamt of all those years ago. Sports science has brought a whole new dimension to the game.

Aberdeen, Manchester United

Oriol Gonzales
Oriol GonzalesUEFA Professional License
Living abroad to work as a soccer coach has its difficulties in terms of coach education provision due to travel and time commitments. Being able to access the ISSPF platform has allowed me not only to maximise my spare time from a self-development perspective, but we have also been able to gain certifications & qualifications as a club across all elements of the game. From our senior squad staff to the academy staff, ISSPF is a fundamental education tool for our club development strategy.”

Head Coach & Technical Director, Angkor Tigers FC, Asian Champions League, Cambodian Superleague, Cambodia

Jingze Quan
Jingze QuanAFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate
Being able to develop the coaching staff throughout the club here in Eagles River FC is a large part of my role within the club. Having come across ISSPF and now using the e-learning platform for our English-speaking Chinese coaching, and medical staff we have been able to improve our focus and upgrade some key elements within the organisation. As a large grassroots club here within the province, we feel using ISSPF as an educational partnership is of huge benefit”

Director of Youth Development Coaching, Eagles River FC, Yanbian, Jilin, China

Woody Jacobs
Woody JacobsSAFA Level 1 Diploma
Working as both Assistant Manager with elite players of our national team, I have been able to directly take a lot of content and thought provoking ideas from the content on view within ISSPF and use them to the benefit of our national players. Furthermore, I am delighted to say that we are now integrating the ISSPF online courses into our coach development program to uplift the whole coaching education aspects of our nation.

Assistant Manager & Coach Developer, Namibian National Soccer Association, Namibia

Susan Lockyear
Susan LockyearFFA Advanced Coaching License
As the game develops within the professional women’s game & also filters down within the girl’s academy programs across the world, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving the developmental aspects of the game in this area. To be able to link as an educational partnership with ISSPF is a huge part of our federation soccer development strategy, and as we can now offer a range of online content, certification qualifications and courses from a range of leading professionals – we have already seen a direct enhancement across our coaching content and performance department delivery.

Head Coach & Technical Director, Canberra State County FA, Australia

Lorenzo Francini
Lorenzo FranciniMSc
As a fitness coach and sport scientist working at the elite level of the female game, I feel that ISSPF and their integration of both applied and academic quality is something that will be of huge importance for people within our industry. ISSPF have manage to accumulate a faculty of leaders across soccer science, medical & coaching science that will enable them to educate people from a very insightful and practitioning way.

Head of Performance, AC Milan, Women’s Division, Italy

Peter McDonnell
Peter McDonnellUEFA A License
The layers of content within ISSPF is in a league of it's on when considering CPD options for coaches of all levels. Having explored many avenues through my own coaching journey, the detail embedded in the courses really lends itself to closing the gap between the integrated knowledge across the fields of Sports Science and the actual application of the skills on the field. Being able to learn from many experts, across a global faculty, affords me the ability to step into their professional world and soak in the abundant knowledge they have, all in my own time.

Assistant Soccer Coach – The University of Maine

Claudio Donatelli
Claudio Donatelli
ISSPF have been able to seamlessly provide all individuals with an interest in team sports and specifically soccer with the chance to learn from some of the best people in their key research areas. Developing throughout my career as a fitness & conditioning expert and applying the scientific principles of training at the elite level of the soccer, I feel being able to use the e-learning strategy within ISSPF challenges and adds further credibility to my working practices. I highly recommend individuals from all learning levels to tap into the fantastic resource available here.

Performance & Fitness Coach Italian National Team

Tony Merola
Tony MerolaUEFA A License
Never before have I seen a unique set of soccer specific performance & coaching specialists under one banner and available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to learn within the comfort of my own home. Being part of the educational partnership program with ISSPF has opened up a new & time efficient way for both myself as Technical Director, and my club coaching and fitness staff to up skill and develop as coaches.

Boys ECNL Director – Tulsa Soccer Club, USA

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