Category: Soccer

Soccer is an easy game to play and follow, due to the simplicity of the rules. With 11 players on each team each, different positions are assigned to various players. To stop the opposition scoring goals a goalkeeper is used and can use and parts of the body including hands to stop the ball. Shall the ball pass behind the baseline after last touching a player in the opposition, the goalie kicks the ball in off the ground. If the ball had been grabbed by the goalie using their hands, the can perform a drop punt. If a defender kicks the ball out behind the goals a corner kick occurs.

The aim of soccer is to score a lot of goals without conceding many. They do this by putting the ball through the goals at their attacking end using any body part except their hands. A player can run as far as they want with the ball. However, it is advisable to pass the ball around to increase possession.

Tackles are implied in order to regain the ball off opponents. Dangerous tackles will result in a free kick to the player fouled against. Players must also not point their studs up as this is dangerous. Extremely bad cases will result in a yellow or red card being handed out. A red card will get the offending player sent off the field and the team must play short of a player. Fouls are also awarded for pulling a shirt and pushing. Tackling a goalkeeper will have you instantly red carded.

A foul in the penalty box will result in a penalty to the attacking team. A penalty is when only the goalkeeper can defend a shot on goal taken by one player. All other players must stand outside the penalty box until the kick has been taken. In most cases a player will capitalise on a penalty and score a goal.

If the ball goes out of play by an opposition player your team is awarded a throw in. This means that one players take the ball and throws it in to a team mate. The throw must be over the head of the player throwing it in and the ball must be released behind the head.

When a player from the attacking side stands on the goal side of the last defender an offside occurs. This gives a free kick to the defending team.

Soccer consists of two forty-five minute halves. These are the basic soccer rules.

Every soccer coach, whatever age group they’re teaching, has to decide which style of play suits his team’s strategy: a play-making or counter-attacking style. But, don’t be afraid to change it during a match.

What formation will you play?

You have to work out the best formation for your team. If its 7-a-side, should you play 2-2-2 or 3-2-1? Or at Under 11 and 12 when you have gone to 11-a-side, you need to decide between 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

First you need a strategy to build your formation around

You have two choices.

1. Counter-attacking style

2. Play-making style

Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses and it’s your job as coach to work out which style suits your team.

Counter-attacking soccer coaching tips

This style depends on your opponents carrying the game forward and relies on your team reacting to their mistakes, which at youth level is quite often. Discipline and patience are key.

It is not as effective when your team is losing or if the other team is sitting back waiting for your team to do the work. The downside is that it can lead to a lack of initiative by your players so that they cannot turn the match in their favour.

Play-making soccer coaching tips

This style forces your opponents into making the mistakes – your team controls the pace of the game and the atmosphere it is played in.

It needs confident players who have been taught the basic skills. Your team must work hard and be able to communicate with one another because if you lose control of the ball you get hit hard by a counter-attacking team.

This is the hardest of the two styles to play.

Once you have decided on your style and formation, you need to sort out the three main functions:

1. The defensive function The defensive function is the most important function in a team. The point where your team wins the ball is the point you begin your attacks and the style of your team comes out.

2. Building up Once your team has won the ball, they need a plan so that playing the ball through the midfield or sweeping it wide to wingers becomes natural to them. And dont forget the long pass can be very effective in setting up attacks.

3. The attack Plan your attacks carefully. Have your strikers ready to receive the ball. Can you spot a weakness in the oppositions defence you want your players to exploit? It is good to take advantage of mistakes around the penalty area but better if your team is in control and has a plan.

Endurance. The game is 90 minutes long. Can you play at a top level for that long? The best way to improve your endurance is by running. You can run every day, if you’re really committed. You should start with at least 3 times a week. All it takes is 15 minutes. Over time you can increase the length of your runs and the speed at which you run.

Speed. To increase your speed you will have to focus on sprint training. Do a combination of Hill Sprints, and flat ground sprints (30, 50, and 100 yard variations). I would recommend at least twice a week. Focus on quick starting accelerations and once you get to top speed, hold it. Aim to go a little faster every time! Don’t make the mistake of neglecting any aspect of your physical fitness.

All of these areas work together. Improving one area will in turn improve others. Improving all areas of your physical fitness is going to take commitment, dedication, and hard work, but I know you can do it. Now get off the couch and put in some work! Actually, read the rest of this book first, then you can get to it.

Being the thrilling game soccer is fans find it more entertaining watching all actions live. For a long time fans have wished for an opportunity to watch soccer live all the time but that has come to pass. Today it is possible to incorporate some satellite direct television software into your system and be able to link up with all games when they are played. I will also be discussing a top quality satellite TV to PC software that I am using to watch more than 3,500 HD Channels worldwide for free.

This is not to say that in the past viewers did not find any opportunities to follow games as they were played. Fans have been able to view many matches as they are played but they had to depend on the willingness of the channels to relay the matches direct. There are several instances when people have been disappointed because the program managers had their priorities. In such circumstances one had to wait for results over news.

Those who are passionate about sports understand the obsession that is there with catching all actions as they happen. There are no better opportunities to enable you follow every action as it happens than using software that puts you in greater control. You can catch up with your favorite games anywhere all the time.

The software that permits fans to watch soccer live whenever they choose helps them overcome the challenges of time. It also means a lot of saving on finances which would be incurred traveling. Given the many commitments in life both social and financial, the program makes it possible to incorporate fun into daily programs more harmoniously.

While it is possible to have a second chance to view a match long after knowing the results, the experience is least exciting and lacks enthusiasm. There are no surprises which often make games exciting as the results are already known. Even where one team is playing well a viewer can not expect them to win when it is already established they lost the game.

People who are passionate about sports understand the difference it makes to be able to catch all actions as they happen. The process causes the fans to identify even more with the games and the teams. It may be addictive and can cause one a lot of anxiety when unable to follow actions when they happen.

It is now possible to watch soccer live all the time as it happens courtesy of a program that makes it easy to link directly to the satellite. This is something to take advantage of and benefit from fully without any limitations. It gives viewers the controls and they can decide to view all matches they desire. I personally use a satellite TV on PC software that allows me to watch more than 3,000 international television channels online and highly recommend it.

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Coaches should be organized

Being an effective soccer coach requires a great deal of organization. Some clubs have team managers that handle scheduling games, referees and fields. In other organizations, all of this responsibility falls on the soccer coach. As many coaches have full-time jobs, being able to juggle their careers on and off the pitch is key.

As a coach, you need to be on time to your practices and have everything ready to go when your players arrive. A sloppy coach results in a sloppy team.

Coaches should be good communicators

It’s unavoidable, you will have to deal with the parents of the players. You can prevent a great number of problems before they happen by establishing an early line of communication with your parents. Make sure they have your email address and cell phone number so that you can be contacted.

It is also important that you have contact information for every player’s parents as well in case you need to address them outside of the field. I recommend creating some clear boundaries as to when you are willing to talk with the parents. They should respect your time and not hold you up every night after practice.

Also recommend a 24-hour cooling off period for parents before they can confront you after games. Letting cooler heads prevail can prevent hurt feelings and communication breakdowns.

Obviously, you have to be a skilled communicator with your players both in training and game situations. The good news is this is usually much easy than dealing with the parents.

Coaches should be a student of the game

No coach knows everything about every single aspect of soccer. However, the best coaches are constantly striving to learn more. They read books, watch coaching videos, attend seminars and talk with other coaches. Hopefully if you have coached for a long period of time you have a love for the game. If you are a new to soccer, it is my hope that you grow a passion for the beautiful game.

Either way, it is critical that you are always working to improve you coaching skills and knowledge.

Coaches should be good planners

This soccer coaching skill goes hand and hand with organization. Coaches should arrive to practice with a definite plan in mind. In addition, coaches should have an overall goal for the team. Each and every soccer practice should be building towards that goal.

If your main goal for the team is that they become fundamentally sound, then you should plan technical work in each session. If you want your players to know how to possess the ball for prolonged periods of time, then possession drills should make up the bulk of your practices. Players will need many repetitions in order to learn a new skill; one practice session isn’t going to cement a concept in place.

Coaches should be able to teach technique

This is a tricky coaching skill for some as not every coach is a former player. If you are unable to demonstrate proper technique to your players, it is critical that you find someone to help you that can.

Kids learn a great deal by modelling what they see. You don’t want them to pick up bad technique or habits from seeing improper demonstration.

Try to find an older player in the club or another coach to assist you with these demonstrations. Begin working on your own to improve your skills with the ball so that you can handle this in the future.

The ability to demonstrate proper technique is one of the most important soccer coaching skills that you can develop.