Smarter Conditioning Than Endless Laps
Conditioning should match the demands of the sport, not just make athletes tired.
Jogging endless laps might make athletes tired, but it does not always build the kind of conditioning they need for their sport. Most games are built on short, intense bursts followed by brief recovery, not slow distance runs.
Smarter conditioning trains the specific demands of the sport: repeat sprints, changes of direction, and controlled recovery. That means intervals, shuttles, and tempo work instead of mindless mileage.
Condition smarter:
- Use short intervals that match game demands
- Build in rest periods that mirror real play
- Focus on quality movement under fatigue
- Progress volume gradually, not all at once
Buchheit & Laursen, High-Intensity Interval Training in Team Sports (2013)
Condition With Purpose\n• Games are not slow jogs\n• Train short bursts plus recovery\n• Quality movement under fatigue
Run one short interval set today instead of extra slow laps.
