Why is upper body strength important for a soccer player?

Soccer is a total-body sport and a soccer player's body needs to function as a complete unit. The upper body plays an important role while running.  It helps to propel the body forward and maintain balance, increasing overall speed.  Neglecting upper-body strength and power can have negative effects on your overall development as a soccer player, decreasing your ability to reach maximum velocity and change directions quickly. This is true because forces from the ground, also known as ground reaction forces, travel up each leg, through the core, and across the upper body with each step you take.  Moreover, today's elite soccer matches are becoming more aggressive with players constantly struggling for position against one another by pushing and pulling with their upper bodies.  Upper-body strength training is a necessary component of your program in order to improve your overall skill set.