Soccer is the word’s most popular sport and it’s quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Among the reasons for soccer’s popularity are its safety, it’s equally suited for both boys and girls, it doesn’t require expensive equipment and everyone gets plenty of play time. Here are some things you should know if your kids are interested the playing soccer.
Make sure you are constantly tracking the ball’s location during the game. Soccer is an extremely fast-paced game, and the ball gets sent between players in a hurry. If you’re having problems picking up the ball, you run the risk of your opponent scoring a goal.
Get a pattern established by getting the ball crossed in one direction for a couple of plays. The defense will notice the pattern and wait for it. You can then surprise the opposite team and buy a few seconds by crossing the ball in the other direction or by not crossing at all.
Balls that are lofted can be difficult to control. Lower passes are easier to control and to get over to your teammates as the defenders are approaching. Lofted balls are more appropriate for making long passes to a teammate who is located in an area that is not so crowded.
Before each soccer match, make sure you take the time to do some pregame warm-ups and stretching. By following this pregame ritual, you will decrease your chances of sustaining a connective tissue injury. By providing additional blood flow to your muscles, tendons and ligaments, warm-ups and stretching increases your body’s flexibility. Your lower body should be the focus of your stretching exercises.
Talk with your teammates during a game. Nothing is worse than miscommunicating a play to your team that results in the other team getting the ball. If you are concerned that the other team may find out what play you will be using, set up code names for your different plays.
When it comes to soccer, it is vital that you know how to properly communicate with your teammates. Soccer is certainly not a one-man show. It requires proper teamwork in order to win, and good teamwork requires great communication. Therefore, make sure you and your teammates practice ways to better communicate with one another.
If you will be playing indoors, you need rubber soled shoes. These shoes provide stability and grip needed when playing on an indoor field. These shoes are also perfect for those who are playing on indoor turf. The allow quick movement while providing the necessary lateral support you need to play effectively.
Trapping the ball is something you need to learn, using your foot’s instep or sole. Stopping the ball relies on this technique. Practicing your trapping as well as your timely response to get the ball moving and under control again is key.
The push pass or side foot pass is a great strategy for your short passes. By using the largest area of your foot, better accuracy is provided, and power is less of an issue here as well. This is a very basic pass and must be second nature to a great soccer player.
Always warm up your muscles and stretch before a game. This helps prevent injury and keeps you fresh and agile. One of the most common injuries is a hamstring strain. The hamstring is located right above the knee on the back of your leg. You would be surprised at how easy an injury can occur if you don’t stretch your muscles prior to a game.
When you play soccer, it is important to know how to control the ball with your body. with soccer, you don’t have a bat or other tool to help you. It’s just you and the ball. Remember that you use your feet about twenty percent of the time and your body about eighty percent of the time. This means you have to be in good shape and have quick reflexes.
Learn as you go, and try not to repeat your mistakes. One of the best ways to learn from your mistakes is to have each game videotaped. This is a good way to notice the mistakes you made and look for ways to correct them. You may learn that you aren’t working the ball as you need to be.
There are four positions on each soccer team – the goalie, defenders, midfielders and forwarders. Each of these positions is vital to having a successful team. In soccer no one position is more important than any other position. It takes teamwork to win any soccer game. This teamwork involves all players on the field. Each has a job that must be completed to get the ball up the field and into scoring range.
As you can see, getting kids started playing soccer is quite easy. All that is really needed is a pair of soccer cleats and a set of shin guards. This makes it accessible to virtually everyone, regardless of financial status. Soccer can be the beginning to a lifetime of fitness and will give kids an excellent understanding of teamwork.
