SOCCER TRAINING PROGRAMS
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Why Train at SMART?
SMART Performance is the premier destination for soccer players in Calgary who are serious about their development. Led by Zach Kalthoff, athletes train under a system built on proven success at the highest level of sport. As the Sport Science Manager for Canada’s Olympic Gold Medal women’s soccer team at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Coach Zach brings world-class experience directly to every session. He also served as Strength & Conditioning Lead for a Silver Medal program at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
His background in elite and professional environments ensures athletes are developed through structured, evidence-based training that translates to real performance on the field. At SMART, you’re not guessing. You’re training with purpose, building strength, speed, and resilience under a system designed to elevate your game and help you perform at the highest level.
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Top female soccer players in Calgary choose SMART
The best girls choose SMART because of the environment. It’s highly competitive, with top athletes pushing each other every session to train harder and perform at a higher level.
There’s a strong culture of work ethic, accountability, and attention to detail, where athletes are surrounded by others who take their development seriously. That daily exposure to high-level competition helps players raise their standard and prepares them for the next level.
Soccer Training Calendar
YEARLY TRAINING PHASES
At SMART Performance Training Centre and Clinic, our Soccer Training Programs are designed to develop speed, power, agility, and mental toughness at every level, from youth athletes to college-bound players. Our certified coaches use evidence-informed, periodized training methods tailored to the demands of soccer. Whether you are preparing for tryouts, coming back from injury, or simply looking to dominate your position on the pitch, we have a program built specifically for you.
General Preparation
5 Weeks · Nov 17, Dec 19 · 3x/week (90 min)
Post-season foundation rebuilding. Movement quality, foundational strength, coordination, and general fitness in a structured coach-led environment built for soccer athletes.
Spring Soccer Prep
10 Weeks · Jan 5 – Mar 14 · 3x gym + 1 field
Things ramp up. Evidence-based programming and high-level coaching. Strength, speed, and field work in a competitive environment — building physical and mental edge.
Continuing Training
Mar 16 – May 29 · 3x gym + 1 field session
For athletes not competing in spring soccer. We continue elevating strength and speed while introducing more soccer-specific training as athletes prepare for summer camps and tryouts ahead.
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Why Soccer-Specific Training Matters
Soccer places unique physical demands on athletes, including repeated sprints, rapid direction changes, 90-plus minutes of continuous activity, and the need for explosive power in every duel. Generic gym programs do not address these demands. Our Soccer Training Programs are built around the actual movement patterns and energy systems that soccer requires. We develop first-step quickness, lateral speed, single-leg power, and aerobic capacity alongside traditional strength work. Every phase of our programming reflects the competitive calendar so athletes peak when it matters most. Soccer athletes who train at SMART do not just get fitter, they become more durable, more explosive, and more confident in every position on the pitch.
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Evidence-Informed. Athlete-Centred.
At SMART, we don’t just put athletes through drills and call it training. Every program we design is grounded in evidence-informed principles, built around periodization, movement quality, progressive overload, and athlete monitoring. Before any athlete starts one of our Basketball Training Programs, we conduct a thorough movement and performance assessment to identify strengths, compensations, and areas of risk. This allows us to build a training plan that’s not only effective but safe.Our coaching staff blends athletic performance expertise with clinical knowledge from our on-site clinic. That means we understand how the body moves, how it breaks down, and how to keep your athlete on the court and out of the physio office. We track training loads, monitor recovery, and adjust programming in real time based on how each athlete is responding to the work.
Phase-based programming
Assess before you train
Load Monitoring
Built into every program
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Train Hard. Stay on the Pitch.
Soccer is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are one of the biggest barriers to an athlete reaching their potential. At SMART, injury prevention is not an afterthought, it is built directly into every program we design. Our clinical team works alongside our performance coaches to identify movement compensations and muscular imbalances before they become injuries. Common soccer-related injuries we help athletes prevent and recover from include ACL and knee injuries, hamstring and quad strains, ankle sprains, hip flexor issues, and lower back pain.
Whether you are coming back from an injury or trying to stay healthy through a long season, our integrated performance and clinical model means you have the right professionals in your corner at every step. Contact us to get started today.
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FAQ FOR SOCCER
Real answers to the questions soccer athletes and parents ask us most often.
What age groups do your soccer programs serve in the Calgary area?
We work with athletes ages 10 and up, including youth, high school, post-secondary, and professional players. Our programs are structured to meet each athlete at their level and support long-term development all the way through to elite performance.
How much do soccer training programs typically cost?
Program pricing varies based on session frequency, group size, and program length. Individual sessions start at $150 per session. We also offer training packages at reduced rates for 1-on-1 training, providing better value for athletes looking for consistent development.
What is included in a typical soccer training session?
Each session begins with a sport-specific warm-up focused on mobility, stability, and priming the body for speed and change of direction. This is followed by a structured strength training session targeting major muscle groups. It places an emphasis on compound movements and posterior chain development to support performance and reduce injury risk.
How do I know which program is right for my player?
Our coaching staff will help guide you to the right program based on your athlete’s age, sport, experience level, and goals. We take a structured approach to placement to ensure every athlete is in the right environment to develop and progress effectively.
How long does it take to see improvement over a season?
Most players show measurable improvement in technical skills within 6 to 8 weeks of consistent training. Long-term development in areas like game intelligence and physical conditioning typically becomes evident over a full season of participation.
Do you offer private one-on-one training during the off-season?
Athletes can book individual sessions or purchase packages for more consistent training at a reduced rate.
Are your coaches experienced at the professional and local level?
Yes – our coaching staff is highly experienced and brings high-level soccer and performance backgrounds. Our Director of Sports Performance, Zach Kalthoff, has worked at the highest levels of soccer, including with Canada Soccer and within professional European environments.
Can players join mid-season or once the outdoor season winds down?
Yes, athletes can join at any point in the season or program, and training continues indoors year-round. Our structured system allows coaches to integrate new athletes seamlessly and adjust training to match their current level, ensuring they can jump in and start progressing right away.
Do you offer programs focused on goalkeeper training?
Our training focuses on the physical demands of goalkeeping, including movement, reaction, positioning, and overall athletic development to help goalkeepers perform at a higher level.