Objective

To measure the soccer player’s sprint times over 10m and 30m. This test is appropriate for all positions and measures the player’s acceleration for soccer. This test is also particularly useful for measuring an individual’s soccer conditioning after a return from injury. A good rule of thumb is the 15% marker. If the returning player’s sprint times are down by 15% or more, then he/she should carry on with the reconditioning program and not return to competitive soccer.

Kit and Area

Stop watch or other timing device

Accurately measured 10m and 30m segments on a flat running surface of at least 50m

Routine

• A thorough and effective warm up

• One hand and the opposite foot on the start line
• Start on the command

• Sprint as quickly as possible to the 30m finish line. Both 10m and
  30m times will be recorded

• Perform the test three times, but allow ample recovery time
  between sprints

Keep an ongoing log of all three times and not just the fastest time. It is also a good idea to record the weather conditions, and general notes about the individuals such as his/her mental approach to the test and how they looked, physically, when sprinting.