How Far Do Soccer Players Run in a Game? A Full Guide
How far do soccer players run in a game? Soccer is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports, which is not just about scoring goals; it’s also an endurance test where every yard counts.
The distance covered by soccer players during a game can be astonishing, from running the length of the field to try to score goals to running back to defend to prevent the other team from scoring. In this blog, I will discuss the average distance players run during a soccer game.
What is the Average Running Distance for Soccer Players?
Soccer matches are 90 minutes long, though the actual playing time may vary depending on factors such as fouls, substitutions, and other factors, which is why the physical demands of a single game are so high. On average, professional soccer players run about 11 km (7 miles) per game, but this number will vary based on
How Far Does Each Soccer Position Run?
The distance covered by players varies a lot based on their position on the soccer field, and you can learn more by checking out this website: Football-observatory.com
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers run only about 1 km per game, the least of any player.
Center backs
Center backs run a bit more than goalkeepers and will usually run about 6-9 km (4-6 miles) per game.
Full Backs and Wingers
Fullbacks and wingers are required to run up and down the field’s sidelines and usually run about 11 km (7 miles) per game.
Central Midfielders
Central midfielders, such as CMs, CDMs, and CAMs, are some of the world’s hardest-working soccer players, covering the most distance among all outfield players. Midfielders will usually run anywhere from 8-12 km (5-8 miles) per game.
Strikers
The strikers’ role usually consists of shorter bursts of intense sprints rather than constant running, resulting in approximately 6-9 km (4-6 miles) per game.
Comparing Soccer to Various Sports
Soccer is the most played sport in the world because it is very simple and requires hardly any gear or equipment to start playing. But how does the endurance required compare to other sports? According to this source, this is the average running time for each major sport.
Baseball: 0.0375 miles
Football: 1.25 miles
Basketball: 2.55 miles
Tennis: 3 miles
Field Hockey: 5.6 miles
Soccer: 7 – 9 miles
Soccer Players with the Highest Overall Distance Run
In professional soccer, certain players have carved out a niche for themselves by running extraordinary distances per game. This is a list of some of the game’s hardest-working players who are known for being workhorses and covering a lot of ground.
- N’golo Kante
- Bernardo Silva
- Nicolo Barella
- Marcelo Brozovic
- Joshua Kimmich
- James Ward Prowse
Summary
To summarize, on average, soccer players cover about 7 miles (11 km) per game. This number will vary depending on various factors covered in this blog. If you are a soccer player looking to get in shape, check out this blog for my best tips to help you prepare for your soccer season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do soccer players wear sports bras?
Sometimes, soccer players look like they are wearing sports bras because they are actually wearing GPS tracking vests that look like sports bras. These vests are used to measure metrics, such as how long a player runs per game.
How far do professional football players run, and how does it compare with other sports?
- On average, professional footballers will run around about 7 miles per game.
- Baseball players will run about 0.0375 miles per game
- In the average NFL game, players will run about 1.25 miles per game
- Basketball players will run about 2.55 miles per game
- Tennis players will run about 3 miles per game
- Hockey players will run about 5.6 miles per game
How can I begin improving my soccer skills right now?
To begin improving your soccer skills right now, check out our post on the best soccer training drills. If you are looking to accelerate your progress and want private training, check out Coach Daniel’s website and fill out the player interest form.
