Objective: This study aimed to determine if sprinting speed can be trained within a soccer-specific situation, how the contextual elements of the game impact the demand of the exercise, along with the emotional responses on a player’s milieu. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental sequential explanatory mixed-method design. Phase I was a pre-test/post-test, six-week intervention. A total of 39 participants were included in the final analysis. Phase II used a telephone interview of thirteen participants selected based on aspects of compliance and completion of the intervention. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Partipants improved in sprinting speed regardless of the format of the exercise. However, higher ratings for motivation and enjoyment were found in the SSE group compared to the ILS group. Coaches identified applicability via traditional methods, exercise format, importance to performance, and coaching information. Participants associated internal motivation via training intensity and perceptions of training, and finally, perceptions of their attitude via attitude, competitiveness, enjoyment, and motivation. Conclusion: Speed development in soccer can be trained with contextual elements specific to a frequent situation. Training intensity may be higher. However, a player’s enjoyment and motivation are higher when elements of the game are used within the training exercise.
