The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of weight training, plyometric training and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical fitness components and kicking ability of soccer players. For the purpose of the study, 100 male school soccer players of 15 -18 years of age from various schools of Una, Hamirpur and Kangra Districts were randomly selected as the subjects for the study. It was ascertained from the health examination reports maintained by school that all the selected players are medically fit. All the players were randomly assigned to four groups: three experimental groups viz. Weight Training Group (Group A), Plyometric Training Group (Group B) and Combined Weight and Plyometric Training Group (Group C), and the fourth group served as the Control Group (Group D). Each group consisted of 25 soccer players. The different training programmes were assigned randomly to different districts for its proper implementation. Una District soccer players were assigned weight training programme, Kangra District soccer players were assigned plyometric training programme and one group of 25 soccer players of Hamirpur District were assigned combined weight and plyometric training programme and second group of 25 soccer players Hamirpur District were kept in control group. On the basis of the literature reviewed, experts opinion and scholar's own understanding of the problem, it was hypothesized that significant difference may be found as a result of selected weight training, plyometric training and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical fitness and kicking ability of soccer players. The objective of the present study was: 1. To find out whether there is any significant effect of selected weight training, plyometric training and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical fitness and kicking ability of soccer players or not. 2. To find out which training type is better for the development of physical fitness and kicking ability of soccer players. Based on the literature reviewed, discussion with experts, scholar’s own experience and keeping the feasibility criteria in mind, the following Physical Fitness Components, Strength, Speed, Agility, Cardio-Respiratory Endurance, Balance (Dynamic) were selected and to measure the kicking ability of soccer players Kicking Accuracy and Kicking for Distance were selected for the present study. Strength was measured with the help of Vertical Jump, Vertical Power Jump and Standing Broad Jump. Speed was measured with the help of 50 Yard Dash Test. Agility was measured with the help of Shuttle Run and SEMO Agility Test. Balance was measured with the help of Modified Bass Dynamic Balance Test. Cardio-Respiratory Endurance will be measured with the help of 600 Yard Run/Walk Test. Whereas Kicking Ability was measured with the help of Kicking Accuracy and Kicking for Distance Tests.

1. Comparative Study of Weight Training, Plyometric Training and Combined Weight and
Plyometric Training on the Selected Physical Fitness and Kicking Ability of Soccer Players.
Dr. Tapan Dutta, Associate Professor, Nagpur Sharirik Shikshan Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
Mr. Vikesh Sharma, Physical Education Teacher (TGT), Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mukteshwar
Nainital, Utrakhand.
Abstract. The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of weight training, plyometric training
and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical fitness components and kicking
ability of soccer players.
For the purpose of the study, 100 male school soccer players of 15 -18 years of age from various schools
of Una, Hamirpur and Kangra Districts were randomly selected as the subjects for the study. It was
ascertained from the health examination reports maintained by school that all the selected players are
medically fit. All the players were randomly assigned to four groups: three experimental groups viz.
Weight Training Group (Group A), Plyometric Training Group (Group B) and Combined Weight and
Plyometric Training Group (Group C), and the fourth group served as the Control Group (Group D).
Each group consisted of 25 soccer players. The different training programmes were assigned randomly
to different districts for its proper implementation. Una District soccer players were assigned weight
training programme, Kangra District soccer players were assigned plyometric training programme and
one group of 25 soccer players of Hamirpur District were assigned combined weight and plyometric
training programme and second group of 25 soccer players Hamirpur District were kept in control
group.
On the basis of the literature reviewed, experts opinion and scholar's own understanding of the
problem, it was hypothesized that significant difference may be found as a result of selected weight
training, plyometric training and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical
fitness and kicking ability of soccer players.
The objective of the present study was:
1. To find out whether there is any significant effect of selected weight training, plyometric
training and combined weight and plyometric training on the selected physical fitness and
kicking ability of soccer players or not.
2. To find out which training type is better for the development of physical fitness and kicking
ability of soccer players.
Based on the literature reviewed, discussion with experts, scholar’s own experience and keeping the
feasibility criteria in mind, the following Physical Fitness Components, Strength, Speed, Agility,
Cardio-Respiratory Endurance, Balance (Dynamic) were selected and to measure the kicking ability of
soccer players Kicking Accuracy and Kicking for Distance were selected for the present study.
Strength was measured with the help of Vertical Jump, Vertical Power Jump and Standing Broad Jump.
Speed was measured with the help of 50 Yard Dash Test. Agility was measured with the help of Shuttle
Run and SEMO Agility Test. Balance was measured with the help of Modified Bass Dynamic Balance
Test. Cardio-Respiratory Endurance will be measured with the help of 600 Yard Run/Walk Test.
Whereas Kicking Ability was measured with the help of Kicking Accuracy and Kicking for Distance
Tests.
The design of the study was random group design as the subjects who were selected for the purpose of
the study were selected randomly and then were divided in to four equal groups: three experimental
groups viz. Weight Training Group (Group A), Plyometric Training Group (Group B) and Combined
Weight and Plyometric Training Group (Group C), and the fourth group served as the Control Group
(Group D), which consisted of 25 subjects each. The subjects were administered the initial test which
were followed by 12 weeks of weight training, plyometric training and combined weight and plyometric
training programme and after 12 weeks final scores on the criterion variables were recorded.
In order to find out the comparative effects of selected training programmes on physical fitness
components and kicking ability of soccer player’s, Mean Difference Method (‘t’-ratio) was applied to
find out significant difference if any, between the pre-test and post-test of different forms of training
programme i.e. of weight training programme, plyometric training programme and combined weight
and plyometric training programme, and the fourth group the control group. The level of significance to
test the hypothesis was fixed at 0.05 level of significance. The data were further treated with Analysis of
Covariance to find out the significant difference among the selected training programmes and control
group. All the data were analyzed by the use of (SPSS) Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16.0.

2. Key Words: Weight Training, Plyometric Training.
Introduction:
Sports are a world-wide phenomenon today. In no period of world history were sports as popular,
organized and important as it is today. It has gained immense importance and popularity in recent
times demanding immaculate organization and planning. In fact, it entered a new horizon of sporting
culture, leading to the emergence of sports sciences as the back bone of performance sports. This
brought into sharp focus the training process as the means of development of sports performance. With
the increasing prestige being attached to winning of medals in international competitions, it is quite
natural to give more stress on talent – identification and to systematize the training methodology.
The main aim of modern sports competition is to detect and develop human ability at an early stage of
life and canalize it in the right direction to realize the achievements aimed at in a particular sports or
game.
Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles.
It uses the force of gravity (in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks) to oppose the force
generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction. Weight training uses a variety of specialized
equipment to target specific muscle groups and types of movement.
Plyometric is exercise designed to enhance the athlete’s ability to blend speed and strength training. It is in
effect ‘the icing on the cake’. When sound training principles are used, plyometric offers the mechanism by
which an athlete can start quicker, change direction more rapidly, accelerate faster and improve overall
speed.
One of the many benefits of plyometric training is that it can be organized into circuits. By moving
from station to station the athlete can do a variety of exercises that stress either the vertical or linear
components of various movement patterns or both.
Creeks said in connection with the soccer players that professional footballers never go on the field of play
until the trainer is satisfied that their muscle have been warmed either by light exercise or artificial means
such as massage. It is easily to carry out these ideas in first class football, where dressing rooms and trainers
are available but what of the thousand of players whose lot is to stand shivering under the trees. Until the
referee or some late come arrives? How often in ordinary club and school matches, do we see a normally
fast wingers call upon him for a sudden quick dash in the first few minutes, of a game and tear or strain
muscles? What a disappointment to him not to mention to his team mates, to find that he has to hobble his
way painfully through what ought to have been an afternoon of enjoyment. The Indian Soccer is not of
effluents. It is played in less privileged environment. The players don’t find even a proper place near the
ground to warm-up properly before the match. So the rest pause between warm-up end the game is
inevitable.
Therefore realizing the importance of weight training and plyometric training the research scholars
have undertaken the present study.
Methodology:
Subjects: 100 male school soccer players of 15 -18 years of age from various schools of Una, Hamirpur
and Kangra Districts were randomly selected as the subjects for the study.
Definitions: Plyometric: Plyometric is a series of training drills that place the muscles in the Pre-stretched
position before they shortened during concentration.
Weight Training: Weight training is a common type of strength training for
developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the force of gravity (in
the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks) to oppose the force generated
by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction. Weight training uses a variety
of specialized equipment to target specific muscle groups and types of movement.
Criterion Measures: The Strength of the soccer players was measured with the help of Vertical
Jump, Vertical Power Jump and Standing Broad Jump. Speed was measured with the help of 50 Yard
Dash Test. Agility was measured with the help of Shuttle Run and SEMO Agility Test. Balance was
measured with the help of Modified Bass Dynamic Balance Test. Cardio-Respiratory Endurance will
be measured with the help of 600 Yard Run/Walk Test. Whereas Kicking Ability was measured with
the help of Kicking Accuracy and Kicking for Distance Tests.

3. Results and Discussion:
Table-1. Comparison between pre and post test of different groups on the basis of ‘t’ ratio for
the selected physical fitness components.
Physical Fitness Tests/
Kicking Ability
“t”- ratio
Weight
Training
Group
“t”- ratio
Plyometric
Training Group
“t”- ratio
Combined
Weight and
Plyometric
Training Group
“t”- ratio
Control Group
Vertical Jump 5.985* 16.113* 15.560* 0.969
Vertical Power Jump 3.989* 15.011* 15.109* 1.638
Standing Broad Jump 11.741* 9.667* 17.470* 1.091
50 Yard Dash 1.395 4.905* 7.556* 0.600
Shuttle Run 1.151 4.400* 8.647* 1.000
SEMO Agility .142 4.388* 5.400* 1.495
Modified Bass Dynamic
3.526* 4.008* 7.348* .595
Balance
600 Yard Run/Walk 1.290 .434 .160 1.081
Kicking Accuracy 1.365 .811 .700 .440
Kicking for Distance 3.685* 6.514* 16.913* 1.016
*Significant at 0.05 level of Significance.
It is learnt from the above Table - 1 that the ‘t’ ratio values for the Pre-Test and Post Test means of
Vertical jump, Vertical power jump, Standing broad jump, Modified bass dynamic balance and Kicking
for distance for Weight Training Group, Plyometric Training Group and Combined Weight and
Plyometric Training Group and the ‘t’ ratio values of 50 yard dash, Shuttle run and SEMO agility for
Plyometric Training Group and Combined Weight and Plyometric Training Group respectively are
found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study also reveals that ‘t’ ratio
values for the Pre-Test and Post Test means of 50 yard dash, shuttle run for Weight Training Group and
SEMO agility 600 yard run/walk and Kicking Accuracy for Weight Training Group, Plyometric
Training Group and Combined Weight and Plyometric Training Group are not found to be significant
at 0.05 level of significance. The table also shows that there is no significant improvement in the case
of control group in all the selected physical fitness components.
Table-2. Comparison between pre and post test of different groups on the basis of ‘t’ ratio for
the selected physical fitness components.
Physical Fitness
Tests/ Kicking
Ability
Type III Sum
of Squares
df
Mean
Square
F-Ratio Sig.
Vertical Jump 1593.972 3 531.324 87.429 .000
Vertical Power
31167.483 3 10389.161 72.684 .000
Jump
Standing Broad
Jump
50 Yard Dash
Shuttle Run
SEMO Agility
Modified Bass
Dynamic Balance
600 Yard
Run/Walk
Kicking Accuracy
Kicking for
Distance

4. Variables SOV df ss mss
F-Ratio
Required
F- Ratio
Competitive
Anxiety
Between
Group
2 985.79 492.89
154.99* 3.13
Within
Group
72 229.16 3.89
Aggression
Between
Group
2 776.72 388.36
71.79* 3.13
Within
Group
72 389.28 5.41
Achievement
Motivation
Between
Group
2 1604.19 802.09
100.14* 3.13
Within
Group
72 576.96 8.01
Self Concept
(Physical)
Between
Group
2 1201.20 600.60
63.35* 3.13
Within
Group
72 682.80 9.48
Self Concept
(Social)
Between
Group
2 1225.79 612.90
81.39* 3.13
Within
Group
72 542.40 7.53
Self Concept
(Temperamental)
Between
Group
2 1765.68 882.84
79.25* 3.13
Within
Group
72 802.32 11.14
Self Concept
(Education)
Between
Group
2 1404.59 702.30
95.55* 3.13
Within
Group
72 529.20 7.35
Self Concept
(Moral)
Between
Group
2 1659.84 829.92
102.21* 3.13
Within
Group
72 584.30 8.12
Self Concept
(Intellectual)
Between
Group
2 1621.76 810.88
112.47* 3.13
Within 72 518.96 7.21

5. Group
Total
Self Concept
Between
Group
2 52755.92 26377.96
583.11* 3.13
Within
Group
72 3529.20 49.02
*Significant at 0.05 level
The findings of the study revealed that in all the selected psychological
parameters such as competitive anxiety, aggression, achievement motivation and self
concept of volleyball players of different level of achievement differs significantly, as
the obtained 'F' value among the groups is greater than the required 'F' value at 0.05
level.

6. Table-2. Post- Hoc test of significance for competitive anxiety, aggression,
achievement motivation and self concept (scores) in points and difference among
the means of different groups.
District Level
Volleyball
Players
State Level
Volleyball
Players
National Level
Volleyball
Players
M. D. C. D.
Competitive
Anxiety
23.72 19.36 4.36*
23.72 14.84 8.88* 1.25
19.36 14.84 4.52*
Aggression
8.32 12.08 3.76*
8.32 16.20 7.88* 1.65
12.08 16.20 4.12*
Achievement
Motivation
19.24 30.56 11.32*
19.24 24.52 5.28* 2.00
30.56 24.52 6.04*
Self Concept
(Physical)
24.50 28.76 4.56*
24.50 33.52 9.32* 2.18
28.76 33.52 4.76*
Self Concept
(Social)
21.84 26.20 4.36*
21.84 31.72 9.88* 2.15
26.20 31.72 5.52*
Self Concept
(Temperamental)
19.36 25.00 5.64*
19.36 31.24 11.88* 2.32
25.00 31.24 6.24*
Self Concept
(Education)
23.04 27.52 4.48*
23.04 33.60 10.56* 1.93
27.52 33.60 6.08*
Self Concept
(Moral)
21.64 27.16 5.52*
21.64 33.16 11.52* 2.03
27.16 33.16 6.00*
Self Concept
(Intellectual)
21.08 26.04 4.96*
21.08 32.44 11.36* 1.90
26.04 32.44 6.40*
Total
Self Concept
131.24 160.24 29.56*
131.24 196.12 64.88* 4.95
160.24 196.12 35.32*
*Significant at 0.05 level
The findings of the study revealed that in all the selected psychological
parameters such as competitive anxiety, aggression, achievement motivation and self

7. concept the mean difference value of District level volleyball players and State level
volleyball players, District level volleyball players and National level volleyball
players, State level volleyball players and National level volleyball players reveals
that there are significant difference in as the mean difference value between the
groups is greater than the critical difference value.
Conclusions.
Within the limitations of the present study and on the basis of findings, the
following conclusions are drawn:
1. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant difference in
competitive anxiety, aggression, achievement motivation and self concept of
volley ball players of different level of achievements.
2. The findings of the study reveals that the District level volleyball players have
shown more competitive anxiety among the three selected groups followed by
State level volleyball players and the least competitive anxiety was shown by
the National level volleyball players.
3. Similarly the findings of the study also reveals that National level volleyball
players were more aggressive among the three selected groups followed by
State level volleyball players and District level volleyball players have shown
least aggression.
4. The findings of the study also reveals that State level volleyball players were highly
motivated in terms of achievement motivation among the three selected groups
followed by National level volleyball players and the least motivated group was that
of District level volleyball players.
5. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Physical among the three selected
groups followed by State level volleyball players and the District level
volleyball players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
6. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Social among the three selected groups
followed by State level volleyball players and the District level volleyball
players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.

8. 7. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Temperamental among the three
selected groups followed by State level volleyball players and the District
level volleyball players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
8. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Education among the three selected
groups followed by State level volleyball players and the District level
volleyball players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
9. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Moral among the three selected groups
followed by State level volleyball players and the District level volleyball
players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
10. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in self concept dimension i.e. Intellectual among the three selected
groups followed by State level volleyball players and the District level
volleyball players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
11. The finding of the study reveals that National level volleyball players were
superior in total self concept dimension among the three selected groups
followed by State level volleyball players and the District level volleyball
players were found to be inferior among the selected groups.
References
F. N. S. Creeks, Association Football, London: J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd., 1950.
Donald A. Chu, “Jumping into Plyometric” Campaign Illinois: Leisure Press, 1992.
George Beium, Principles of Modern Soccer London: Houghton Mifflin Company,
1977.
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