Conditioning games: A new twist

Looking for a training method that can develop movement, endurance and basic skills, all at the same time, and which can be used with small or large multi-sport groups, single sex or mixed? Then read on-basic games may be just what you are looking for. Over the last few years there has been a rise in the use of small sided games to provide sport specific endurance, and these have been effective not only in improved performance, but also in providing a motivational climate in which to deliver endurance training. This principle of the small sided game can be expanded to utilise non sport specific games, games that can effectively and inexpensively be integrated into any school, college or club programme. These are extremely useful when dealing with mixed sport classes, but can also be extremely useful in sport specific contexts where the games can provide variety and a break from the dominant sport. A look at the popularity of the Gladiators series shows the potential for the design of games that can deliver a very real conditioning session, but in a fun, game-type environment. Many traditional yard games provide for suitable models on which to build these games, but in reality the possibility is only limited by the imagination of the coach. Equipment requirements are normally small, often involving little more than the balls and cones used in sport specific training, and sometimes utilising non traditional sports equipment such as plastic bins etc