Category — Soccer Articles
Soccer Shoes: A Stylish Kick
The evolution of boot development has been a conflict between protection from the climate and injury; against the freedom of limb movement to perform better. The improvement of the player’s fitness has had a positive spin on soccer shoe development but these changes surprisingly appear to be more stylistic than anything else.
As soccer has become more glamorous the look has become more important than the desire to play better or decrease injury rates. It appears from the published literature there have been more injuries caused by soccer shoe innovations than appear to be resolved by new designs.
In the early years, soccer shoes were generally black and with higher cuts than the ones used today. The design evolutions of the shoes have become part of the game and as much an important item as the shorts or socks and almost as popular as the jerseys.
Players use special and customized soccer shoes made especially for them. The more significant changes to the shoes were that in the modern days the cut is lower, the color has changed. The shoes have become more comfortable and pretty much lighter than the old ones.
The old shoes were made out of leather with wooden cleats and leather soles. The newer soccer shoes are made out of leather or synthetic material, plastic or rubber soles and the cleats can be plastic, rubber, aluminum and even rubber or plastic and with the end made out of aluminum.
Some of the soccer shoes have changed the place of the laces and put them on the side of the shoes and some don’t even have laces anymore. It is said that the change in the laces was so you could kick with more accuracy.
Players and soccer shoe manufacturers also use the shoes for marketing purposes, with special edition shoes, different color shoes, even autographed shoes. There are infinite different colors for soccer shoes. From plain black to golden with special details, or with, two, three even four colors combined.
Comfort is a very important issue for the soccer shoes. A pair of uncomfortable soccer shoes can cause serious blistering. Usually new soccer shoes need to be broken in so that they adapt to the format of the foot to prevent the blisters.
However, with new technologies, comfort is constantly improving and eventually one will be able to put a new pair of soccer shoes on, play a game and not have any blisters.
Even though the design of the soccer shoes hasn’t changed much in the last seventy years, the design is quite different from the first soccer shoes. Technology has changed the feel of the shoes and the weight of these that were once very heavy.
For good playing, soccer depends a lot on the quality of the soccer shoes worn. Professional and amateur players love to be different by using an uncommon color and designed soccer shoes.
April 10, 2009 No Comments
How to Coach Soccer Parents – Handling the Sidelines
The best way to handle parents is to lay out your expectations of them at the beginning of your time with the kids. A great time to do this is at the beginning of the 2nd or 3rd practice. It is best to be upfront about the fact that you are trying to learn how to coach soccer, and you would appreciate their input (privately, not in front of the players). Even though you’re are just starting to learn how to coach soccer, you are the teams coach, and that parents should not second-guess your decisions in front of the players. If they are truly interested in helping, you can let them work with you as an assistant coach, and you can learn how to coach soccer together.
Let your parents know that the best thing they can do for the team is to be cheer leaders. Children are typically very sensitive to criticism from adults, and having parents on the sideline pointing out their mistakes will hurt their self esteem, and will negatively affect the way that child plays in the future. Youth soccer players need to be encouraged. You may be asking them to do something different, or to play a position that is not comfortable for them. If a parent begins to criticize the child, that child will revert back to a more comfortable habit, even if it is the wrong thing to do.
One frustration that many youth soccer coaches endure is having parents that insist on coaching their child from the sideline. You may be trying to teach your defenders to set an offside trap, and the parents are yelling for the defenders to fall back, which allows the attackers to get that much closer to the goal. You may be teaching your wings to stay wide, and the parents are yelling for the wings to push in to help the center midfielder. You might be working on short, controlled passes, and parents are yelling for the ball handler to make a long pass. The point is, parent don’t always know or understand your game strategy, or what you are trying to teach your players. The more you learn how to coach soccer, the more you will be trying new things during games. Parents that don’t respect what you are trying to do will cause serious problems between you and your players.
Explain to parents that the amount of time their child will get to play depends on how well they attempt to do what you tell them to do. If a child’s father tells them to do something different, there is a good chance the child will ignore you and listen to the parent. If you tell them to make the short pass, and the player listens to dad and boots the ball long, you will end up pulling the child from the game for not listening to you. It’s a situation where nobody wins. Unfortunately, it happens time and again during youth soccer games.
It comes down to getting the parents to understand that even though you may be just learning how to coach soccer, you are the coach. The more they can support your decisions in front of the children, the easier your job is, and the quicker your team will learn what you are trying to teach them.
Learning how to coach soccer parents how to behave on the sidelines is a big key to reducing the stress on game day.
April 8, 2009 No Comments
Why You Should Buy New Soccer Jerseys Online
When replacing them just for yourself, or for a whole soccer team, it is important that you know where to go to get the best quality jerseys at reasonable prices. On top of this you will also need the service to be dependable, shipping them in a timely manner so that they arrive quickly.
Soccer jerseys are available from many different outlets, including a number of sportswear catalogues as well as stores. However, by far the most economical and the easiest way to buy your new ones online. The internet provides a wide range of services both for those who play soccer as well as for those who are simply fans who want to show off their team colors.
What available on the internet are often great quality but lower in price than many of the ones that offered in store. This means that you can save a lot of money if you need to buy in bulk, or if you are buying official team kits. They will even deliver right to your door making it a convenient option, or you can get them delivered straight to the club and distribute them there. This means that you will only have to pay for one batch of shipping and you will not even have to leave the comfort of your home.
If you are a fan you will be able to find kits for your favorite club teams, national teams, your favorite colors or even vintage styles. Whatever you are after, it is a lot easier to search online. This also means that whether you are a fan or a player you can get your team measured and order shirts that will fit perfectly.
As well as buying online, there are many other useful items that you might want to order, including football boots, training equipment, soccer balls and so on. You will also be able to buy official team merchandise online as well. Altogether, shopping online is a great way to get everything you need in one place, rather than searching round stores when you could be spending your time doing something more useful and enjoyable.
Online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular option for many these days, and buying soccer jerseys is no different. You will often see a much larger selection of brands, sizes, and colors online, as well as the facility to even personalize what you buy. This is an extremely convenient way of shopping, especially when you need to replace your soccer jerseys often. Just do a quick internet search to find the large number of soccer stores available, and choose the best deals to benefit from the huge savings available.
April 8, 2009 No Comments
Uniform – a Must Have for Soccer Players
There are several elements in the selection of a soccer uniform. Selecting a shirt and jersey color, is one of them. Of course, choosing a color is a subjective exercise, personal tastes and certainly online account. Other factors could be the team name, or colors that represent the city or school with which your team is affiliated. Jerseys soccer not only come in various colors, but in different materials and fabrics as well.
All these factors come into play when deciding what is best for your team. And remember, it is often customary for teams to wear different primary colors during the road during games than home games. If your house colors are red with white trim, then you will probably need the road jerseys are white with red trim, for example.
Selected shorts soccer is also an important selection uniform. In addition to choose colors that complement your team ‘s jersey, be sure to find a style of shorts is not too baggy. Baggy shorts – although in style – tend to get easily and boots can encumber the movement of players.
Remember that your goalie wears a uniform different from soccer as the rest of your team. Because the goalkeeper is a player to move his hands on the ball, the goalkeeper is usually necessary to wear a different color scheme so that referees can easily distinguish it from the rest of the team. Also, uniforms goalie both padded shorts and shirts that will help absorb some of the plans that will surely come his way. In addition, goalkeeper are generally long-sleeved shirts, unlike the rest of the team that will wear short sleeves.
Finally, remember that you should select soccer socks that will complement your team colors. Soccer socks socks are unlike traditional insofar as they are designed to offer knee and to be flexible enough to accommodate the shin guards of plastic that are worn below.
If you do not know who to turn to this point, the Internet is your ally. There are hundreds of providers in line and you can choose the uniforms of soccer that most appeals to you. Also, you can seek advice from other coaches and organizers in your league soccer and they can share with you the suppliers with whom they have been successful in the past. With a little research and intuition, you can find a soccer uniform that will make your children happy to be part of the team.
April 7, 2009 No Comments
How To Learn Soccer Tricks
I can give you a lot of examples on that part: remember when Ronaldinho first started to perform his famous Elastico move? (flicking the ball with his outside of the foot to the left, then quickly cutting it with his inside) Nowadays, a defender that’s facing Ronaldinho in a one versus one duel will surely be careful against this move, but when the Brazilian had just invented it, it was extremely surprising and he managed to create havoc whenever his Elastico would work.
I’m not saying you’ll be able to perform as well as Ronaldinho after you learn soccer tricks like that, but it can definitely give you a surprising edge in a match situation.
Another great example of soccer tricks and skills that can make a difference is Zidane’s 360 spin. Although it’s a very effective and simple move, it wasn’t until Zizou popularized it that players all over the World actually used it in matches.
So, if you learn soccer tricks, you’ll be able to gain an edge on your opponent, but that probably wasn’t that hard to figure out anyway. The real question is HOW to do soccer tricks and how to learn them correctly. Here’s what I would suggest.
Try to have a step-by-step approach when you learn soccer tricks, categorizing them on difficulty levels. Start with the basic ones, move on to advanced moves and once you get both these categories well under your boot, try out those special few that are extremely hard to master.
Obviously, if you’re practicing these moves by yourself, or with the help of a friend, you’ll be able to perform them with no or little resistance, which is rarely the case in a real match (and if there’s no resistance, why would you perform them in a match anyway?). So besides practicing the actual move, you’ll also have to work on the timing of your soccer tricks and skills.
A couple of basic moves could include: the Zidane 360 spin, the stop and go, the Puskas V-move or the fake shot dribble.
Under the advanced category, you could try the Cruyff move, the stepover and double stepover or the Scotch.
Moves that are quite difficult to master and are better off left for last, include: Ronaldinho’s Elastico move, the “Brazilian” rainbow move or the Van Persie sweep.
Start off with the basic ones and practice them thoroughly, until you feel you’ve mastered these soccer tricks. Of course, when you move on to the advanced moves, these will take a lot longer to get a solid grip over, but you will have had already built some basic ball control skills from the basic dribble.
More difficult dribbles like the Elastico, or the rainbow kick will take a while to get a grip on, but don’t get discouraged if you keep failing on executing them! With enough practice, there’s no trick that you won’t be able to handle. The only thing that kills learning a specific trick is saying “I can’t do this” and cutting it off your list.
April 7, 2009 No Comments
Not All Soccer Cleats Are Created The Same
In fact, most youth soccer programs and organized leagues require that appropriate soccer cleats be purchased before you will be allowed to compete. In order to purchase the appropriate soccer cleats you must make an assessment of both your needs and means. There are really three variables in play when making a decision on soccer cleats: your skill level, the surface on which you will be playing, and the amount of money you are willing to spend. Those factors will help you narrow the field of choices, allowing you to make a purchase that will suit your needs.
There are four basic types of soccer cleats: molded cleats, detachable cleats, turf shoes, and indoor shoes. Molded cleats are the most basic and inexpensive kind of soccer shoe, so they are an ideal choice for beginning and intermediately skilled players. Molded cleats get their name from the fact that the cleats themselves are part of the sole of the shoe, i.e. they are molded as one piece. The actual cleat is built in a size and shape that will allow it to perform well on nearly any kind of outdoor playing surface. The cleats cannot be removed, and when they wear out the entire shoe must be replaced. However, the low initial cost of molded cleats makes them easy to replace, and also makes them the ideal entry level shoe for most players.
Detachable cleats are the preferred choice of advanced and highly skilled players. The cleats are studs on the bottom of the shoe and they can be unscrewed and removed quite easily. This allows the player to not only replace cleats that have become worn over time, but more importantly, the player can tailor their shoes to perform best on different kinds of playing surfaces and in different conditions. By changing the length and type of cleat they use, a player can use the same shoe to play on firm turf or soft grass, dry and fast or wet and soggy. It is this versatility that makes detachable soccer cleats a must-have shoe for the serious player.
Rounding out the types in soccer footwear are indoor shoes and turf shoes, however, neither of these shoes are truly cleats in the literal sense. Lacking the peg-like cleats of the molded and detachable models, these soccer shoes are more like sneakers in appearance and are designed for indoor surfaces, or outdoor Astroturf.
When you are ready to purchase your soccer cleats make sure to have your foot properly measured in order to give you the best possible fit. Remember that the materials used to construct the boot portion of the shoe are important and factors greatly into the price. Real leather is expensive and comfortable, but can be easily damaged and becomes heavy when playing in wet conditions. Synthetic leather is less expensive and less durable, but it is the preferred material if you are playing on wet fields. No matter what you choose the important thing is that you are arming yourself with footwear that will allow you to enjoy your time playing soccer to the fullest.
April 7, 2009 No Comments
Tips for taking care of leather soccer boots
Cleaning – Dirt and Mud can destroy the leather itself, and cause problems with stitched seams, and glued parts. So we need to clean off dirt and mud with water, soap, towels, sticks, and/or brushes. But SALT (from sweat) can cause the same problems, so we should clean our leather boots with SOAP and water even if they don’t look dirty. Any mild detergent like dishwashing liquid, baby shampoo, castille soap, etc., should work. Rinse well, then stuff with newspaper to dry. “Saddle Soap” is often sold for use on shoes, but it’s probably too harsh and drying for the soft leathers on modern soccer shoes.
Protection – It’s common to treat leather and suede coats with waterproofing chemicals, and soccer shoes should get the same.
Spray on a waterproofing agent from an aerosol can, or apply with a cloth if you find a liquid or cream waterproofing product. This prevents your salty sweat from penetrating the leather, and it helps keep the boots from becoming heavy and water soaked in the rain. It will also help them dry faster if they do get wet. Some shoes come with “waterproof leather,” but that waterproofing doesn’t last very long if you don’t restore it with regular applications of product.
Restoration – This really has two goals: a) keeping the leather looking nice, and b) maintaining the natural oils, softness, strength and durability of the leather. You might find one product for both these needs, or you might need two.
Fixing the appearance requires a polish, dye or other colored product to cover scuffs and scrapes. Maintaining the leather’s good qualities might require an oily or waxy cream, polish or lotion.
If your leather looks dry or cracked, then you definitely need to apply an oily cream or lotion right away. It’s just like hand lotion when your hands are dry and cracked. Use the polishes, creams and lotions according to the directions on the package, and wipe away and excess so it doesn’t attract dirt. Chelsea Leather Food is a popular product for soccer shoes, but there are plenty of good products out there from Sof-Sole, Kiwi, Griffin, etc.
If you care for your leather uppers, they should last for at least two years of regular play. Problems with leather uppers are usually avoidable, so your goal should be to have your leather uppers last until the outsole becomes worn out, or the sole starts to detach from the upper.
Additonal Tips for Screw-In soles…
Screw-In cleats should be properly tightened. Over-tightening will strip the threads, or extend the screw post up too far into the foot. Under-tightening will allow the screw to wiggle and damage the threads, then perhaps fall out. Water, sweat and dirt can also cause the post to seize inside the threads. A couple of chemicals can help with these requirements.
Some players apply grease to the threads before tightening. This helps the screw fully engage the threads, and prevents rust and corrosion. Other players use blue “Loc-Tite” or a similar thread adhesive. This stuff helps “glue” the screw to the threads, but we’ll still be able to remove the screw with normal force. Both of these products help meet the same goal: keeping the screw-in cleats properly tightened for each use, while allowing disassembly when needed.
Try to check each screw-in cleat before and after each use. Always carry your cleat tool and extra cleats, if possible. Don’t play in the shoes if there is a problem with any of the cleats, screw posts, or screw holes, because you could quickly ruin the shoes by deforming the screw hole.
March 9, 2009 No Comments
How to take care your soccer boots
Soccer shoes are subjected to the constant rigors of kicking and running, often in muddy and watery
conditions. Without proper care, they will have a much shorter life span than they should. Proper boot
care will provide you with better support and increased comfort.
To care for your soccer shoes, apply a coating of leather conditioner with a soft cloth or with your
fingers. Let the conditioner soak into the leather, then buff it lightly. Applying several coats will improve the flexibility of the leather and make the shoes water resistant.
Quality soccer shoes are made to be lightweight and give players a great feel for the ball. Therefore, they must be soft and supple. Since they must also be very durable, high-quality leather is used. In order to maintain the functionality of the leather, soccer shoes must be kept clean and well-conditioned. Also, the leather must remain soft and supple in order to experience the ultimate in comfort and feel for the ball.
The best way to increase the longevity of your shoes is to begin with a pretreatment of good wax-free
leather conditioner. Before the first use of your soccer shoes, it is important to “feed” the leather. By
“feeding” the leather, you are replacing some of the essential natural oils lost during the tanning
process and during the manufacture of the shoes.
After play, soccer shoes should be cleaned and conditioned. Clean all mud and dirt off the leather with a soft rag. For grime and excessive dirt, use an aggressive leather cleaner specifically formulated for kangaroo and similar high-quality leathers. The cleaner should be pH balanced with the leather so there is no deterioration of the leather fibers. Do not use saddle soap or caustic chemicals for cleaning, as they can pull the colors as well as the natural oils from the leather. Use an old toothbrush to clean the cleats, soles and stitching between the leather and the sole.
If your soccer shoes are wet, remove the sock liner (if it is not glued into the boots) and stuff the shoes with dry paper, such as crumpled newspaper, so the shoes retain their shape while drying. Let them dry naturally. Do not apply artificial heat, which will harden the leather and cause the leather fibers to break down, leading to cracking and tearing.
Once cleaned and dried, soccer shoes should be reconditioned, feeding the leather and keeping the
fibers flexible. Avoid using dubbins, greases or wax-based products. These products were formulated to seal the pores of work boots, not for use on the soft, supple leather of soccer shoes.
August 9, 2008 No Comments
How to strike a soccer ball with the right technique
Ground kicks. In adjustment to aftermath a superior kick you’ll need balance and composure. The adjustment of your your supporting foot is just as important as your other, main kicking foot. To ascendancy the acme of your attack or pass, be aware of where your supporting foot is, in affiliation to the ball. By placing your supporting foot in line with the ball, you will accomplish ability while befitting your kick low. By placing it slightly behind, you will aftermath a ascent or lofted ball. Your high physique as well plays a role if blame the ball. If you angular back, the ball will rise and if you angular forward your kick abide low and hard. In adjustment to get the best ability from a strike, the knee of your kicking leg has to be above or in line with the ball at the exact moment you accomplish contact. Follow-through in a across-the-board motion in administration of your target. If you accept agitation compassionate this concept, try landing on your kicking foot bottom afterwards you bang the ball.
Volleys. If kicking the ball in the air, proper balance is essential. Therefore, you charge to acclimate to the aisle of the ball by authoritative quick adjustments in your footing. You are ready to swing only after you have positioned yourself at a proper distance from the ball. You should not attempt a volley, if you feel that you are reaching out too far or when the ball is too close to your body for a good swing. Some situations may require jumping and volleying at the same time. Stay composed and concentrate on timing your leap.
August 4, 2008 No Comments
How to keep fit without soccer training
Fitness is just as acute as health. As a amount of fact, exercise is affiliated anon with your health. If you are not demography affliction of your body, you will get sick. Here are some abundant suggestions that will advice you to accumulate your physique fit:
1. Bicycling
It is a sad affair that abounding humans do not yield advantage of this accomplished advantage for exercise. Bike benumbed exercise your physique and physique a stronger cardiovascular system. Also, it allows you to get out and adore attributes and beginning air.
2. Jogging or Walking
Both jogging and walking are admirable means to get fit. They accent the muscles, abate stress, actualize a convalescent heart, and advance lung capability.
3. Swimming
Swimming is an aberrant way to get into and break in shape. Swimming will advice you bind your body, lose weight, and get a acceptable all-embracing workout.
4. Tennis
Tennis is a abundant way to exercise. Just active afterwards the brawl abandoned will advice get you into shape. This is a abundant way to strengthen your cardiovascular arrangement and lose weight.
5. Dancing
Dancing is so abundant fun and as continued as you are moving, it absolutely does not amount what blazon of ball or music. The accomplished abstraction is to move your body. Dancing has continued been recommended as an access to fitness.
6. VCR
If you accept a VCR or DVD, try afraid in some acceptable conditioning tapes. Even demography 15 account every day to conditioning will get you started. Try that for two weeks and you will be afraid at the results.
7. Abdominal Crunches
Crunches accept continued been a admired for abounding athletes for the actual acumen that they work. Lying on your aback with knees bent, befitting anxiety collapsed on the floor, cantankerous your easily beyond your chest and again coil your torso, rolling from your sternum against your hips. Do this boring and alpha out with a set of ten crunches in three reps. As you get acclimatized to these, you can access both the amount of sets and reps.
8. Squats
Squats are accomplished for glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. With your anxiety continuing close and advance afar about two feet, angle your knees slightly. Then, actual smoothly, you will broad against the attic after traveling all the way down.
9. Tricep Press
For an Overhead Tricep Press, continuing on the attic with your anxiety about two anxiety apart, knees hardly bent, you will extend your accoutrements over your head. Accumulate your elbows bound and again actual boring lower your easily abaft your head. You wish to do this with some blazon of weight, but baby weights like one to 5 pounds.
July 23, 2008 No Comments