Interval training helps the players to adapt their bodies to racing conditions in which race-pace and high levels of lactate in the muscles are skillfully handled. While compared to other training methods, Interval training achieves the purpose of adapting to racing conditions with minimum physiological strain. In order to be successful on the football field, a football player needs to master the different skills of the game. The fundamentals of playing football effectively include practicing the various drills, so that every skill can be developed to perfection for professional competence.  Beyond working hard on the drills, the method of training taken makes a deep impact on the quality of performance in a football field. This study attempts to estimate the influence of interval training and specific package of skill training on speed and agility among school football players (boys). To attain this purpose, 60 football players (boys) from various schools of Chennai District, Tamil Nadu, were randomly selected as subjects. The age of the boys ranged between 16 and 18 years. The boys were divided into four groups of equal number of 15 students each. Three of these groups were taken as three Experimental groups and the fourth group remained the Control group. Before the start of the training, the players were made to take a ‘Pre-test’ for speed and agility. Each group was assigned a specific method of training: Isolated Interval Training was allotted to Experimental Group I; Isolated Specific Package of Skill Training was allotted to Experimental Group II; Combined Interval Training and Specific Package of Skill Training was allotted to Experimental Group III and the last group - Control Group - was allotted no training except their daily routine. All three experimental groups were trained for a period twelve weeks. Post-Training tests were taken once this twelve-week training period was over. The data noted in this process was analyzed using the statistical tools of ANCOVA and Scheffe's Post hoc Test. The study affirmed that Experimental Group III, that was given Combined Interval training and Specific Package of Skill Training, showed significant improvement in speed and agility when compared to other groups.

Keywords:  Interval Training, Specific Package of Skill Training, Speed, Agility, ANCOVA