Prepare To Perform

Soccer
Coach
Greg Dea

Features
1 sessions per week
Must use App app to view and log training
Program Training
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Reduce knee pain
...by progressively loading the knee without aggravating the tibial growth plate or patellar tendon.
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Build lower-body strength
... through targeted hip, trunk and leg exercises that support long-term athletic development.
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Maintain goalkeeper skills
... with sport-specific handling and distribution drills while protecting the recovering knee.
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Improve balance and movement control
... to develop better single-leg stability and efficient movement mechanics.
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Create a foundation for return to play
... by preparing the body for future running, diving, jumping and goalkeeper-specific performance.
Features
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Access to your coaches
Coaches who will hold you accountable and provide the feedback you need to grow
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Programming 3 days per week
Three strength, conditioning, and skill training that’s accessible and challenging. Optional swim days in betwen.
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Exercise Video Guidance
Instructional videos to guide your practice and make execution easy
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Delivered through TrainHeroic
Train with a coach who will push you, understand your goals, and keep you progressing.
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Sample Week
Week 1 of 2-week program
Sunday
RT Week 1 Day 1

Conditioning

A

(RT) Reset Circuit

Foam roll quads/TFL/calves 45 sec each Banded ankle mobilisations 2 x 10 90-90 Hip Mobility 2 x 8 Brettzel 2 x 8 Contract-relax calf stretch 2 x 20 sec

B1

Hip Lock Walk

2 x 10

B2

PIllar march - linear

2 x 15

B3

Wall March Iso Hold

2 x 20

B4

Mini-band lateral walk

2 x 10

C1

Trap Bar Deadlift

4 x 6

C2

DNS star plank with reach

3 x 20

C3

Standing Landmine Press

3 x 8

D1

Isometric Wall Single Leg RDL

3 x 12

D2

3-way Terminal knee extension

1 x 45

D3

OTIS

3 x 25

Goalkeeper Skills

E

| Drill | Volume | | ---------------------------------------- | -------------: | | Standing catch (coach serves to chest) | 3 × 10 | | Standing catch above head | 3 × 8 | | Ball distribution with hands | 20 throws | | Seated reaction catches | 3 × 30 sec | | Single-leg balance with gentle ball toss | 3 × 20 sec/leg | No goalkeeper stance repetitions. No lateral shuffle. No collapse to knees. No diving. No maximal kicking.

Bike or Swimming Circuit

F

15 minutes RPE 5 (Low-impact aerobic conditioning.)

Regeneration Circuit

G

Walking 3 minutes Brettzel 1 stretch Standing hip flexor stretch

Conditioning

H

(RT) Session Completion Criteria

Progress to Session 2 only if: Pain remains ≤2/10 throughout the session. No increase in tibial tuberosity or inferior patellar pole tenderness the following morning. Spanish squat isometrics are tolerated without symptom escalation. Hip hinge mechanics remain symmetrical. Single-leg balance is maintained for 30 seconds without pelvic drop. Normal walking pattern is maintained after the session.

Tuesday
RT Week 1 Day 3

Uncategorized

A

Pain Rules

Continue only if: Pain ≤2/10 No limp Symptoms settle within 24 hours Avoid: Kneeling Diving Jumping Repeated deep squatting Maximal kicking

Conditioning

B

(RT) Reset Circuit

Foam roll quads/TFL/calves 45 sec each Banded ankle mobilisations 2 x 10 90-90 Hip Mobility 2 x 8 Brettzel 2 x 8 Contract-relax calf stretch 2 x 20 sec

C1

Hip Lock Walk

2 x 10

C2

PIllar march - linear

2 x 15

C3

Wall March Iso Hold

2 x 20

C4

Mini-band lateral walk

2 x 10

D1

Seated landmine press

4 x 12

D2

Standing Pallof Press

4 x 8

E1

Assisted pull up with band and upper back activation

3 x 16

E2

Farmers carry

3 x 20

F1

Step-Ups

3 x 16

F2

Glute bridge march on bench with band hold

3 x 16

F3

Single leg balance crossover pass and catch

3 x 20

Goalkeeper Skills

G

I'd still avoid footwork. Instead: Standing catches High catches Collapse saves onto the right side only (protecting the left tibial tuberosity from direct contact) Throwing distribution Seated reaction catches No shuffling. No crossovers. No diving. No kicking.

H

Stationary Bike

1 x 20:00

Regeneration Circuit

I

Walking 3 minutes Brettzel 1 stretch Standing hip flexor stretch

Thursday
RT Week 1 Day 5

Uncategorized

A

Pain Rules

Only progress today's session if: Morning pain ≤2/10 No increase in tibial tuberosity tenderness No limp during walking Previous session recovered within 24 hours If No, repeat Monday's loading instead.

Conditioning

B

(RT) Reset Circuit

Foam roll quads/TFL/calves 45 sec each Banded ankle mobilisations 2 x 10 90-90 Hip Mobility 2 x 8 Brettzel 2 x 8 Contract-relax calf stretch 2 x 20 sec

C1

Hip Lock Walk

2 x 10

C2

PIllar march - linear

2 x 15

C3

Wall March Iso Hold

2 x 20

C4

Mini-band lateral walk

2 x 10

D1

Goblet box squat

3 x 8

D2

Band row iso hold

3 x 20

E1

Barbell Hip Thrust

3 x 8

E2

Standing Pallof Press

3 x 20

F1

Bodyweight Step-Up

3 x 16

F2

Single leg balance crossover pass and catch

3 x 25

F3

3-way Terminal knee extension

1 x 30

F4

Calf Raise

3 x 12

Skill/Tech

G

GOALKEEPER MOVEMENT INTEGRATION (10 minutes)

This is not conditioning—it's controlled movement quality. A. Goalkeeper Set Position 3 × 20 sec Focus: Quiet feet Hip hinge Weight centred over mid-foot B. Weight Shift Series From goalkeeper stance: Shift left Return Shift right Return 3 × 8 each direction No stepping. C. Controlled Lateral Step One step left Reset One step right Reset 2 × 6 each direction No shuffle. No crossover. D. Standing Catch Coach serves within arm's reach. 3 × 10 E. Throwing Distribution 20 throws No punts. No goal kicks. No dives.

H

Stationary Bike

1 x 15:00

Regeneration Circuit

I

Walking 3 minutes Brettzel 1 stretch Standing hip flexor stretch

Progress to Week 2 only if:

J

Pain never exceeded 2/10 during any session. No increase in morning tenderness at the tibial tuberosity or inferior patellar pole. Goblet box squat depth improved without pain. Step-ups remained controlled and pain-free. Goalkeeper stance and lateral weight shifts were completed without guarding.

FAQs
What pain level is acceptable during training?
Keep pain at 2/10 or less during exercise. If pain reaches 3/10, reduce the load or range of motion. Stop the exercise if pain continues to increase or changes the way you move.
Can I still do goalkeeper training during this program?
Yes, but only modified goalkeeper training. Ball handling, catching and throwing are encouraged, while diving, repeated kicking, jumping and high-speed footwork should be avoided during this phase.
What if my knee is more sore the next day?
Some mild soreness is normal, but your symptoms should return to baseline within 24 hours. If pain lasts longer or is worse the next morning, reduce the load or contact your coach or clinician.
What happens after I finish these two weeks?
If you've completed the program with good movement quality and stable symptoms, you'll progress to the next phase, introducing more strength, controlled goalkeeper movement and gradual return-to-performance training.
RT Foundation Phase