Keep the Mile & 1.5 Mile tests as a resource, not as a requirement!
Today I got a question sent to me through AllExperts.com. It was a private question from a teenage soccer player, so I won't put her question here, but bring up a topic to discuss from a part of her main question.
Her main question was in regards to a 1.5 mile test that was a requirement to be on her HS soccer team. The time that everyone must get was 11:15 for 1.5 miles. That is roughly under an 8 minute mile pace, for those wondering. (7:52 as a rough estimate)
I really had a hard time trying to tell this girl what to do, let alone that she had to put up with such a dumb requirement for soccer, in my opinion. Is there any proof that once an athlete is faster than 7:52 per mile, that they are deemed to be 'soccer-worthy' for a soccer team? If that's the case, then most of my former XC girls on all the teams I coached would be a smokin' fast soccer team by that standard. Most of those girls were 7 minute or less miler's for their race paces in a 2.5 mile race distance. This is just downright silly to have a standard time be met to be on a team that doesn't even compete at the distance tested! The only real way this should be a standard is if you are having a literal 'run-off' for some spots on a team's 1 mile or 2 mile squads for track, or if you needed to take so many kids on a varsity squad for a XC meet.
The 1 Mile & 1.5 Mile tests should be used as just that: a test of aerobic fitness levels for an athlete. They should not a pass/fail method for a sport that is largely anaerobic, such as soccer.
I think a better standard for this young girl's soccer team should be some skill-related work and perhaps a conditioning drill test like a shuttle run.
With the goal of this blog, all runners & athletes can use 1MileNation.com as a community to test their fitness levels, and set goals for new levels to achieve. There is no 'standard' to meet, other than breaking a new barrier in time, such as going from a 6:15 mile to under 6 minutes. Everyone sets their own standards here, trying to encourage others to do the same. I know my goal in '09 is to get down to a 5 minute mile. My best efforts in my past as a XC coach was 5:15 during mile-repeats. I feel with enough solid training, I can get closer to the 5 minute mark.
So, in closing, remember these tests are meant to be nothing more than tests, they shouldn't be used as a requirement to get on a team.
Run Strong, Run Fast...
Run So As To Win!
http://1MileNation.com
Get Faster & Fitter in '09 in "3-2-1..."with this new guide:
http://asapworkouts.com/321.pdf
Her main question was in regards to a 1.5 mile test that was a requirement to be on her HS soccer team. The time that everyone must get was 11:15 for 1.5 miles. That is roughly under an 8 minute mile pace, for those wondering. (7:52 as a rough estimate)
I really had a hard time trying to tell this girl what to do, let alone that she had to put up with such a dumb requirement for soccer, in my opinion. Is there any proof that once an athlete is faster than 7:52 per mile, that they are deemed to be 'soccer-worthy' for a soccer team? If that's the case, then most of my former XC girls on all the teams I coached would be a smokin' fast soccer team by that standard. Most of those girls were 7 minute or less miler's for their race paces in a 2.5 mile race distance. This is just downright silly to have a standard time be met to be on a team that doesn't even compete at the distance tested! The only real way this should be a standard is if you are having a literal 'run-off' for some spots on a team's 1 mile or 2 mile squads for track, or if you needed to take so many kids on a varsity squad for a XC meet.
The 1 Mile & 1.5 Mile tests should be used as just that: a test of aerobic fitness levels for an athlete. They should not a pass/fail method for a sport that is largely anaerobic, such as soccer.
I think a better standard for this young girl's soccer team should be some skill-related work and perhaps a conditioning drill test like a shuttle run.
With the goal of this blog, all runners & athletes can use 1MileNation.com as a community to test their fitness levels, and set goals for new levels to achieve. There is no 'standard' to meet, other than breaking a new barrier in time, such as going from a 6:15 mile to under 6 minutes. Everyone sets their own standards here, trying to encourage others to do the same. I know my goal in '09 is to get down to a 5 minute mile. My best efforts in my past as a XC coach was 5:15 during mile-repeats. I feel with enough solid training, I can get closer to the 5 minute mark.
So, in closing, remember these tests are meant to be nothing more than tests, they shouldn't be used as a requirement to get on a team.
Run Strong, Run Fast...
Run So As To Win!
http://1MileNation.com
Get Faster & Fitter in '09 in "3-2-1..."with this new guide:
http://asapworkouts.com/321.pdf
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