Soccer Field Diagram - Learn The 4 Different Positions

There are four different positions in the soccer field diagram. They are usually termed as Forwards, Midfielders, Defenders, and Goalie/goalkeeper. Let me give you a brief insight into the same.

Forwards

Forwards are those players who have to position themselves near the goal of their opponent team. Players at other position pass them the ball and it is their task to convert that passing of the ball into scoring a goal. Their primary task is to score goals, and that is the reason why they need to be strong enough.

They may lack certain other skills, but it is of vital importance that they should have a strong body with power and energy. Again, it is not always that they play near the opponent?s goal post only. Of course, all the players have to keep moving depending upon the circumstances.

Moreover, they may have to spend some time in the middle of the field also. When forwards play in the midst of the field, they are known as ?strikers?. When they have to play near the touchlines, they are known as ?Wings?. Overall, Forwards must be quick runners with powerful kicking skills and accuracy in shooting.

Midfielders

In general, there can be somewhere between three and six midfielders in a soccer team. They play with an objective to get control of the ball and then pass the same to the forwards so that they could score goals for the team. As the name suggests, midfielders play most of the times in the middle of the field.

The coach should work in a way to enhance the tackling abilities of the midfielders because it is this ability that helps them stealing the ball from the opponent players and pass the same to the Forwards. Midfielders must have great accuracy in passing the ball.

Defenders

In general, there can be somewhere between three and five defenders in a soccer team. Their position in the field is just near their own goalpost, as their main task is to save the goals attempted by the opponent players. That is the reason why they are termed as defenders.

What is more, it is also their task to take the ball from the goalie and pass the same to the midfielders. They have to kick the ball very far to the midfielders. Therefore, it is important for the coach to train them accordingly.

Goalie of course saves the goal for your team, and is the only player in the soccer field diagram who is allowed to use his hands.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer field diagram. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

3 Effective Soccer Passing Drills

Soccer passing drills are an important component of a soccer training session. There are various games and techniques that can effectively help improve the passing skills of your players.

Teaching The Fundamental Of Passing

In order to teach the players the basic passing, you can start with splitting the team into pairs. Each pair must have a ball. Now, you have to evaluate their passing skills by having them pass and trap the ball. After your evaluation of their skills, you can go for the touch control passing lessons.

Circle Games

Most of the circle games are effective enough to optimize the passing skills of the soccer players. For example, one simple way is to place two players in the middle of the circle and both of them have to intercept passes attempted by the players on the outside. When one of the players inside the circle successfully intercepts a pass made by a player on the outside, that outside-standing player will replace his position with the one in the middle who intercepted his pass.

Practicing Passing With Three Soccer Balls

In this method, three soccer balls and two teams with equal number is required. When the coach says, ?Go?, all the players have to try to steal as many ball as possible. When the coach says, ?STOP?, the game gets a pause and the team with the possession of two or three balls wins.

This is a simple method, but in order to get positive outcomes of the same, this process must be repeated several times. Since, there are three balls and two teams, in order to keep possession of two or more balls is not an easy cake for any team and the team that wins surely have players with better passing skills. This game teaches various aspects associated with passing of the ball, such as:

? Players are able to decide their position that where they should run when they do not have the ball so that they could get the possession of the same.

? They learn to make instant decisions regarding passing and dribbling the ball

? They also have to make instant decision which player of the team they want to pass the ball.

Overall, soccer is all about practice, practice, and practice. Whichever method you use to practice soccer passing drills, make sure that you practice the same several times in order to sharpen your passing skills.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer passing drills. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

Soccer Fitness Training Tips

Soccer fitness training will help your players optimize their overall strength, speed and stamina. Such training plays a very major role in soccer and is in fact an essential component when it comes to coaching soccer. Let me give you a brief insight into different types of fitness training for soccer players.

Maximal Strength Fitness Training

In one momentary contraction, there is a specific level of force that a muscle group can generate. This optimum force of a muscle group is termed as maximal strength. Maximal strength plays a very important role in the game of soccer.

It helps the players hold off opponent and steal the ball from them. However, the objective of the maximal strength fitness training should not be just to enhance the maximal strength. Instead, the training should focus on enhancing both power and speed to optimum level.

Power Training - Plyometrics

This fitness-training program for soccer is highly effective in building both strength and speed in the players. What is more, unlike most people think, it is not a very difficult training process. The training becomes much easier when both the coach and the players follow the guidelines associated with the same religiously.

Plyometrics exercises are designed in a way to stretch the muscle of the players before the contraction and this simply results in more forceful and instant contraction. For example, one easy way to do this exercise is to keep jumping off the ground without bending the knees. However, one good way to maintain the speed and flexibility of the players is simply to follow a specific weight routine.

This is the best way to enhance as well as maintain the speed and strength of the players. Last, but not the least, there are certain cautions that you must take note of while you are doing the Plyometrics exercises. For example, it is not good to use weights ? no matter how light it is - while doing this exercise.

Some Examples Of Plyometrics Exercises

The simple yet best example of Plyometrics exercises is that you should run in slow motion, jumping on alternate feet. While doing this exercise, the players should aim to achieve as much height and distance as possible at each step.

Overall, there are various ways in which soccer fitness training can be organized. However, the only thing that both the coach and the players must keep in mind is that they have to follow the guidelines religiously.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer fitness training. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

Soccer - All What Happens On The Ground

Soccer is widely known as football around the world and it is extremely popular game . This game is a big turn on for soccer lovers. The best part about this game is, it puts everyone on his toes in just 45 minutes. This game has so much of thrill and excitement that turns a soccer lover to a soccer freak.

This game is played between two teams, each consists 11 players with a ball. The soccer ground is rectangular in shape and consists a goal at each end.

The target for each team is to maneuver the ball into the rival team?s goal and thus making a 'goal'. A player that stops the maneuver at goal is called a goalkeeper. At the end of the game the team that hits more goals is declared winner.But in case the numbers of goals are same for each team the game becomes draw.

In such a case the game timings can be extended or even a penalty shootout can resolve the problem. It all depends upon the situation.The game is played in two halves, each half is a period of 45 minutes.

There are several rules in soccer game. The common one is that no player of team should hit the soccer with the hands or arms except the goalkeeper. Any part of body can be used to propel the ball except hands and arms.

F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association also known as FIFA governs the soccer all over the world. The most exciting event that is organized is called 'World Cup' by FIFA at regular intervals of four years. Some 190 teams around the world participate in this game from all over the world to make it to final and finally win the world cup.

All You Need To Know About Soccer - Crazy Soccer Fan

Understanding USA Soccer Camps

Coaches run soccer camps to make money...sometimes, lots of it. Fortunately, there are other motivations, too. But you need to the know the organizing principle of the camp to select the right camp ... and enjoy the best camp experience.

There are five types of coaching arrangements that create the U.S. soccer camp "system":

(1) Local coaches (e.g., high school coaches or "premier team" coaches), assisted by local/college players, conduct camps for local players and teams. (Note: local youth soccer associations will sometimes host a Type 1, 2, or 3 camp.)

(2) Regional teams (e.g., MLS and A-league), sports complexes and even equipment suppliers will conduct camps to strengthen relationships with the community and to earn extra money

(3) National or regional professional soccer camp business conducts camps as a money-making enterprise.

(4) College or university coaches conduct camps to earn money over the summer and to raise profile of their program.

(5) State Youth Soccer Association or Olympic Development Program conduct camps as part of their soccer development program to identify players and as a source of income for affiliated coaches. But often the most intensive training is done at special camps for select players and teams A sixth-type of arrangement is becoming more common, whereby international coaches set up a camp in the U.S., or international camps or soccer tours are set-up for U.S. kids. In 2003, Manchester United's "soccer schools" made a big impression in the U.S.

The type of camp and its quality are two different things.

For example, a "lesser" Type 1 camp may be run by USSF A-licensed coaches who use high school players that may have a good rapport with kids--or not. But a "higher level" regional or national camp may simply trade off the name of a coach or player, who "directs" the camp by remote control.

Big camps may provide resources smaller camps don't have, like fitness or mental- performance training. But check them out carefully. The actual coaching staff may be "hired guns, whose motivations will vary depending on their stake in the camp's success, their salary, and their burnout level, particularly at the end of the camping season. Similarly a camp you liked last year may reprint their brochure, but the camp could be significantly worse (or better) due to changes in ownership or personnel.

There may be some benefit attending a university-based camp to expose yourself to the school--and to a prospective coach. But basically coaches rely on recruiters who observe players under actual game pressure, rather than the less-pressured camp environment .

Thanks,

Emmanuel Ayomide Praise
http://www.emmapraise.blogspot.com

How to Enhance Soccer Performance Recovery

The demands on youth soccer players today are ever increasing, as soccer has now become a year round sport. Not only do players participate in high school soccer and club soccer in the fall, winter, and spring, but now players are involved in summer leagues as well. Coaches and players alike are faced with time constraint issues as well as questions regarding efficient and effective practice schedules. Unfortunately, recovery methods do not receive the same attention. Applying principles of recovery and regeneration will be sure to give your team a winning edge.

Plan for Recovery

In order to better understand the concept of recovery, coaches should be aware of the following factors that affect the recovery process. Based on feedback from your players, these factors will help you in planning your future training sessions.

8 Factors Affecting Recovery

? Stress

? Environment

? Social Factors

? Sleeping Patterns

? Psychological Factors

? Nutrition

? Fatigue

? Training & Conditioning

In planning a training session, you must identify how each of these factors affects individual players and the team as a whole. Begin by determining what days your team will practice and when tournaments will occur. Next, plan your recovery sessions. Be sure to distribute active and passive rest accordingly. Finally, plan your actual training sessions. Progressive planning will ensure your players are continually improving. When performance levels begin to decline, ask yourself if you are allowing your players time to recover. Review your plan, make the appropriate changes, and you will soon be on your way to successful soccer play!

Jeremy Boone is an internationally recognized speaker and Soccer Performance Coach. To learn more about his training methods and philosophies, go to http://www.fitnessforsoccer.com

US Women Soccer Superstars - Victims of Their Own Success

With the imminent retirement of long-time veterans Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett from the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, I often find myself thinking how fortunate my family has been to witness their heroics on the field and their positive influence off of it.

But the last game we saw in person stands out as a very different experience from the first game we saw nearly nine years ago.

Last summer, I attended a soccer match between Brazil and the United States Womens National Team in New Orleans with my teenage daughter, Leah. It was a great game with plenty of action on a beautiful, sunny afternoon, and the U.S. Team won on a Tiffeny Milbrett goal in the 90th minute.

For Leah and I, it was a bittersweet experience.

It was a wonderful dad and daughter 42-hour trip from our home in St. Petersburg, Florida to New Orleans and back again. We talked, we laughed, and we listened to each others music for each of the 20 hours and 1393 miles in the car. During our short stay, we visited Bourbon Street at night and the Cafe du Monde for breakfast.

But our journey's focus was to see our soccer heroes in action again. Thats right, I said OUR heroes. Ever since that rainy night in February of 1996 when we first saw our National Team play in Tampa, these outstanding women became my heroes every bit as much as my daughters heroes.

I remember being awestruck as I watched them for the first time their skills, their strength, and their obvious passion for the game. But it was after the game, that I was won over as a dedicated fan.

Earlier that day, Nicole, my younger daughter, asked me if she should bring her Official U.S. Womens National Team Calendar for autographs. My response - This is our National Team with the best players in the world. I really doubt you will get any autographs," I said. "With the rainy weather, you dont want to ruin your calendar, but bring your autograph book, just in case.

When the game ended, I couldn't believe my eyes. Every single player came over to the bleachers where about 1,900 spectators anxiously waited. Not only were they willing to sign autographs, but EACH OF THE PLAYERS HAD THEIR OWN PENS! They talked with the fans, posed for pictures, and most importantly, they really seemed to enjoy doing it. We were immediately hooked.

Since then, we've been extremely fortunate to witness some of their most important games: the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal match in Atlanta, the historic 1999 Womens World Cup Championship game in Los Angeles, and even Mia Hamms record-breaking moment for career goals in Orlando in 1999.

Weve had several encounters with the players, including clinics, autograph sessions, and we even attended a few training sessions in Orlando. Five years ago, while Leah worked as a junior reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, she wrote five features for the weekly X-Press Page for kids.

Along the way, Leah interviewed nearly every team member and even Head Coach Tony DiCicco. Afterwards, at the age of twelve, she wrote a book, Soccer Dreams, to share her adventure, promote the positive values she learned from the team, and to encourage readers to DREAM BIG! It was published last year and has earned very positive customer reviews at Amazon.com.

So our commitment to the Womens National Team runs deep. As a family, soccer has been a unifying force ever since Leah and Nicole played on the same U-8 team, which I coached. This great sport has provided us with countless memories, as participants and as spectators.

So why, you might wonder, was it bittersweet in New Orleans, to see our team again after more than four years of nothing but televised games? Most of the players were the same, and they all had the same intensity on the field weve come to expect.

But this time, the team had already broken through. Ever since the 1999 Womens World Cup, huge crowds cheer them on wherever they play. In New Orleans that day, they played in front of 15,000 spectators, with a live national television audience and a horde of media members reporting their every move.

They were enjoying all the fruits of their many years of labor. Their dreams of just a few years ago, playing in front of huge crowds, of being recognized, had been realized - repeatedly.

In the beginning, we wanted nothing more than for these players to be given their due, for them to enjoy their success. Now they are living like the superstars they have always been, with fans hanging out in their hotel lobby and screaming for autographs wherever they go. Easy access is probably gone forever. Recognizing and understanding that was an eye-opener.

Imagine being a Bruce Springsteen fan in the early Stone Pony days, before he rocketed to worldwide fame and glory. Perhaps you had a chance to talk to him, maybe even hang out with him. While you knew he was something special and you wanted him to reach the rarefied air of superstardom, once he did, your little secret was out. No more casual chats. No more hanging out. Now youre lucky to get an overpriced ticket in the nosebleed seats from a scalper.

But of course, like Bruce, try as they might, our National Team can no longer satisfy everyone. They still carry their own pens for autographs after the games, but now there are increased post-game media demands.

While goalkeeper Briana Scurry did the post-game ESPN interview that day in New Orleans, forwards Cindy Parlow and Mia Hamm were the first to be interviewed by the local media, followed by forward Tiffeny Milbrett, defender Brandi Chastain, and Head Coach April Heinrichs. The rest of the players signed autographs, but with 15,000 fans, it was simply impossible to accommodate every fan.

Leah didnt try to acquire autographs that day. She already has plenty, and on that day, we also had field photo credentials. Not only is autograph-collecting taboo for "objective" journalists, but our memories of the game will be in the photos we captured.

After the game, as the players boarded the bus, I saw one woman approach a team official. She was ranting and raving that she had driven five hours to bring her daughter to the game and that her daughter didnt get any autographs from the players. The team official explained that the players signed autographs for a half hour INSIDE the stadium, which was true.

Apparently, this woman and her daughter had been positioned in the wrong place and were headed home empty-handed. As she stormed off, she yelled, BOOO Womens National Team!! Ill never come to another game! BOOO!

I am certain other fans left empty-handed as well or disappointed with just one or two autographs. I am also certain this womans experience will be repeated during the current 10-game Fan's Celebration Tour and at future games as well.

Our National Team players are victims of their own success. After working so hard, for so long, to develop their fan support, it is simply impossible for them to continue to be so accessible and provide autographs to every fan who wants one.

So if you are lucky enough to see our National Team play this year or in any other games in the future, go to enjoy the skill, the intensity and the passion these gifted athletes put into their effort. If you are really lucky, and do get an autograph or two, even better.

But you shouldnt be disappointed if you dont get any autographs. And you should forewarn your kids that it might not be possible this time around, which will lessen their disappointment.

Finally, as youre driving home, take advantage of the opportunity to focus with your kids on the positive values (hard work, commitment, perseverance) these incredible athletes exemplify. Those are lessons we should want all our children to learn.

Chris Lauber is the photographer, editor, and publisher of Soccer Dreams, written by his daughter, Leah, to describe her true adventure following the U.S. Womens National Soccer Team, as a fan and 12-year-old Junior Reporter during the historic 1999 Womens World Cup. It is receiving excellent customer reviews at Amazon.com. Purchase Soccer Dreams at Amazon on November 8th and receive numerous bonuses. To receive an update, send us an e-mail to WWCSoccerDreams@aol.com.

http://www.SoccerDreamsBook.com