Why does the same periodisation model that works in the gym fall apart on the field? In this episode, we unpack linear, undulating, and block periodisation, and why one of these gets used far less than people think in team sports. As part of our Team Training Periodization Guide, we break down how extensive and intensive days shape a training week, what happens when you get the balance wrong, and why the game itself often blends both extremes at once. Whether you’re a coach or practitioner, this Team Training Periodization Guide helps explain how these concepts apply in real-world team sport environments.Team Training Periodization Guide
Why Periodization Matters
Every successful team needs more than hard work. They need a structured training plan that develops the right physical qualities at the right time. Periodization allows coaches to organize training, so athletes continue improving while reducing unnecessary fatigue. As a result, players are better prepared for the physical demands of competition throughout the season.
Choosing the Right Training Model
Linear periodization is often the best choice during the off season because it gives athletes the opportunity to focus on building strength. In contrast, undulating periodization varies the workload across the week by alternating between harder and lighter sessions. This approach supports recovery while maintaining performance. However, block periodization is less common in team sports because focusing on only one physical quality for an extended period may reduce other important qualities such as speed.
Balancing Extensive and Intensive Sessions
Effective pre-season programs combine extensive and intensive training days. Extensive sessions use larger spaces, greater running distances, and higher speed exposure to improve fitness. Meanwhile, intensive sessions include smaller sided games, rapid accelerations, decelerations, and more physical contact. Therefore, athletes develop both endurance and explosive movement without sacrificing either quality.
Preparing Athletes for Competition
The best training plans mirror the demands of competition. During a game, athletes constantly move between covering large areas and reacting quickly in tight spaces. Consequently, blending extensive and intensive sessions each week prepares players for real match situations. Ultimately, a balanced periodization model helps athletes stay fit, perform consistently, and reduce the risk of performance decline over the course of a season.
Highlights of the episode:
– The difference between linear periodisation and everything else
– Why undulating periodisation bookends a training week
– The periodisation model that rarely fits field sports
– What actually defines an extensive training day
– Why intensive days are the total opposite
FAQ
Q1: What is periodisation, and why does it matter for AFL, NRL, and soccer?
Periodisation is how coaches plan training over time, deciding when to push harder and when to ease off. It matters because these sports demand a mix of endurance and explosive power, so training needs to be structured carefully to build both without wearing players out.
Q2: Which periodisation model works best during the season vs. the off-season?
In the off-season, linear periodisation (steadily building strength and fitness) works well. During the season, undulating periodisation is better. Alternating harder and lighter sessions across the week keeps players performing well while still recovering between games.
Q3: Why don’t AFL, NRL, and soccer teams rely on block periodisation (focusing on one quality at a time)?
Because games demand multiple qualities at once, like speed, power, and endurance. Focusing on just one for too long risks other qualities slipping. That’s why a balanced mix of training types across the week works best for these sports.
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