The aim of
this study was to compare the effects of two plyometric training
techniques on power and agility in youth soccer players. Twelve
males from a semiprofessional football club’s academy (age =
17.3 6 0.4 years, stature = 177.9 6 5.1 cm, mass = 68.7 6 5.6
kg) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of depth jump (DJ) or
counter movement jump (CMJ) training twice weekly. Participants
in the DJ group performed drop jumps with instructions to
minimize ground-contact time while maximizing height. Participants
in the CMJ group performed jumps from a standing start
position with instructions to gain maximum jump height.
Post training, both groups experienced improvements in vertical
jump height (p , 0.05) and agility time (p , 0.05) and no change
in sprint performance (p . 0.05). There were no differences
between the treatment groups (p . 0.05). The study concludes
that both DJ and CMJ plyometrics are worthwhile training activities
for improving power and agility in youth soccer players.