Helpful Hint #3: Dealing with the Referee

Dealing with the Referee:

Many athletes get upset with the way the game is called. No matter what happens, you must stay calm. Yelling or arguing with the referee, only causes more trouble. Yellow cards can be awarded, along with favoritism towards the other team. It is best if you just keep playing and if it continues talk to your coach or speaking captain about it.

Keep Calm and Play Soccer

Corner Kicks: Defense

Defending corner kicks is important in soccer. Depending on the skill of the the other team, corner kicks can be easy or hard to defend. There are two ways to defend corner kicks...

1. Give each play a "zone" to defend. This method is used when the other team stands still for too long.
2. Mark each player, "man to man". This method is used when the team runs plays that involve crashing the box.

Make sure to go over defending corner kicks in practice. Remember: Practice makes perfect!

Corner Kicks: Offense

Come up with several different plays to run on corner kicks. This will allow your team to take advantage of every opportunity. If you play the same one more than a couple times, the other team will catch on, and steal the ball. Some of my favorite corner kicks are the following:

1. Crowd the Goalie: This corner kick has all players crowd around the goalie, so they cannot see where the ball is coming in. This is effective when you are playing against a short goalie. The players also have the option to disperse once the ball is kicked.
2. Run On: Have all players start at the top of the eighteen yard box, then when the player taking the corner kick raises their hand, everyone runs into the area.
3. Stations: Assign each player a spot inside the eighteen and  have the player taking the corner place the ball on another player's head.

Corner kicks are essential in winning a soccer game. It helps if you give each play a different name, one that is unique to that team. For example, one of my teams corner kick name was "Honey Badger", it was unique to our team.

Snapshot in Soccer #3

In this picture Alex Morgan, number 13, for the USA Women's National Team, is beating a defender. I like this picture because it leaves you wondering what move she did to beat the defender. It looks as if she did a step-over or a hard cut outside. It also leaves you wondering what she did afterwards. She is inside the eighteen yard box...



Image found on tucsonsentinel.com

How to Build a Wall

When defending a free kick within shooting range of your goal, it is necessary to "build a wall". It helps to keep the goal blocked, and take away any chance of the other team getting a straight shot on goal. You usually want your outside and central midfielders in the wall. Depending on how far away the kick is being taken determines the number of people in the wall. Have the goalie position the wall. Make sure the ball is in line with the line, which is in line with the goal post. You always want as much goal covered as you can get. You must be ten yards away from the ball. If asked the referee will count it out. Make sure to be fast at setting up the wall. Some teams game plan is to quickly take the free kick, so the other team is caught off guard. As soon as the ball is kicked or touched, charge the ball. You must me fearless when in a wall, or you could give up a goal.

Image found on Yahoo Sports

The Bicycle Kick

One of the most amazing moves in soccer is the bicycle kick. It is not often seen, because it take skill and bravery. While preforming a bicycle kick, you are in the air! The only thing you have to worry about is getting called for a dangerous play. If you do not complete the skill correctly, then you will either be carded or  the other team will get a free kick. I would not recommend trying this move for the first time in a game. Practice on your bed at home first, then gradually move up into using it outside or in a game. The bicycle kick is mostly for show.

 

Image courtesy of Google.com

Top 25 Champions League Goals

There is not a day that goes by, that I do not watch at least one game or watch the highlights. I found a video on YouTube that showcases the top 25 goals in the Champions League. Some of the goals that are made, are amazing. It takes a lot of skill to put a bend on the ball, like the professionals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYa80fkxpQ

Helpful Hint # 2: College Decisions

College Decisions:
For all the soccer players that want to play college soccer, this is a checklist that will help you decide where you would best fit in. College soccer is very competitive, you have to be good at soccer, and also maintain a good GPA. Ask yourself the following questions when deciding where you would like to apply to...

• Do I want to play Division 1, 2, or 3?
• Do I want to go to a local college or somewhere farther away?
• What do I want to be when I grow up?
• How many years would I have to go to school?
• Do I want to go to a big or small school?
• Am I ready to play soccer in college?

After you answer the questions above, you can look at college possibilities. I hope this post helps! If you have any questions please comment below.

Helpful Hint #1: Swimming Helps with Cardio

Swimming Helps with Cardio:

Up until this point in my life, I have never really done any other sport than soccer. I decided I would try swimming. It looks easy at first, but it's not! Swimming has really helped me improve my fitness level. Soccer is all about fitness! Just an hour in the pool a week, can help you improve your game, and also give you something to do instead of straight running.

Cleats: NIKE CTR360 LIBRETTO III FG

NIKE CTR360 LIBRETTO III FG

Women's Firm-Ground Soccer Cleats

I only wear nike cleats, because they fit my feet the best. Orther people I know like adidas, puma, ect., but my brand is nike. I do not get any money for these reviews! My new favorite pair of cleats are the Women's CTR360 LIBRETTO III FG by Nike. Usually you must break in cleats before you wear them, but these cleats conform to your feet and feel terrific. With only hours until a major tryout, my previous cleats ripped. I had to find cleats and break them in before I had tryouts. I found these cleats and they didnt even need to be broken in. I give these cleats a high rating. Most cleats must be worn in the shower or slept in before they can be practiced in. These are some of the best cleats I have ever owned and they're only $60.

 

Clockwork Fitness Drill

The clockwork fitness drill is something I picked up from one of my coaches. I really like this drill because it allows players to get a work out and think at the same time.
 

• Set twelve cones up in a circle, like a clock.
• Start all the players at 12:00.
• Yell out random numbers and have the players sprint around the cone of that corresponding number.
• If you want even more of a challenge, spread the cones out farther and add an ab workout between sprints.      ex. Sprint to 8:00 and do 8 push ups.

   





                                                       

Player of the Week: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney

• Squad No: 10
• Position: Midfield
• Age: 27
• Birth Date: October 24,1985
• Birth Place: Liverpool
• Height: 5' 10''
• Weight: 175  lbs



Taken by Skysports

Sport Critics have rated Wayne Rooney in the following categories:
Strengths: Powerful and strong on the ball, Rooney's ability to pick a pass, shoot from distance and unselfishly work for the team is unparalleled in world football. His passion can never been called into question.
Weaknesses: He suffers when the red mist descends and has a propensity to lose his cool in key games. Sometimes an impetuous customer, prone to easy frustration.
Career high: His stunning debut hat-trick for Manchester United is a strong contender, but it cannot top being named as the best player in the country by his fellow professionals, as he scooped the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award in for the 2009-10 season.
Career low: Being sent off against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup for stamping on a rather delicate area of Ricardo Carvalho's, after working so hard to be fit for the tournament following a metatarsal injury.
Style: Powerful, hard-working, passionate; an unselfish superstar.
Quotes: "We all know football players at the top level are blessed with high wages, it's no secret. But Rooney would play for 100 euros-a-week. You can see the fire in his eyes. It's that fire which makes him the best of the best." 2009 World Player of the Year Lionel Messi praises Rooney's passion.
Trivia: Rooney has "Just Enough Education to Perform" tattooed on his right forearm. The line is the title of an album by his favorite band, The Stereophonics.

 

 

Snapshot in Soccer #2

Molly Pathman, number 24, for the Duke Bluedevils, is pictured below kicking the soccer ball. The way her body is positioned reminds me of the way I look when kicking a soccer ball. This picture was found on www.collegesportsmadness.com. This website is wonderful for updates on college sports.

Step-over

The step-over is a simple move that can fake almost any defender, when done correctly. I find the Online Soccer Academy to be an excellent interpretation of the skills found in soccer. For a step-over, there are four simple steps to success... Watch the following video to learn how to do a step over. These videos can be found on YouTube and are excellent starters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKEGZlNDSQ

Snapshot in Soccer #1

 

I got this picture in an email and thought it was interesting. This is a picture taken during the Stanford vs. Flordia State game. I like this photo because it shows how muscular number 4, Jamica Fields, for Flordia State is.