Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Need For Speed In Soccer

...mber of external stimuli, here's a list:

- The visual element of the opponent with the ball, are they carrying it, have they got backlift as if ready to strike the ball, is the opponent in space and is their a clear line of sight on goal

- The auditory element, do they hear the strike of the ball, is it fizzing, does it take a deflection of a player (thud), a shout from a team mate, maybe a close opponent barracking the goalie " he's going to shoot!"

All of these stimuli will have an effect on the player.

Once stimulated the player should choose the best option available to them to react to that situation.

Again we will use the goalie;

If a shot is fizzing towards them low and hard, the pitch is wet and quick, and there are a number of players the ball has to go through before hitting the target, do they get down low anticipating a clear strike on goal, have quick feet and get their body in line with the expected flight path, do they dive towards the ball, kneel or hack the ball?

The answer to this question lies in the ability, confidence and experience of the player.

#4 Speed of feet

Here we are talking about the basic running / sprinting motor skills.

Initial explosion and acceleration are vital to covering the ground quickly. Speed of feet is without the ball, and since it is without the ball it is rarely in a straight line.

Therefore, as a players progress is often inhibited by other players they must adjust and change direction in relation to their team mates actions and those of the opponents.

Explosive speed is generated from the leg muscles stretching and contracting to achieve maximum power, but good running technique, driving through the arms and co-ordination are also vital.

#5 Skill speed

Watching a player run at pace and carry the ball is a truly awesome sight.

Sprinting full out while keeping possession and holding off any challenges from opponents to dribble and create an opportunity to shoot at goal is a tremendous ability.

This ke...more

England? You Must Be Kidding

...

In the days that followed Englands qualification for Germany 2006, Sven Goran- Eriksson, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen all said that they think England can win the World Cup. But, in my humble opinion yet again, although they have some highly talented and gifted players, I doubt they have a good enough team to do it. Look back at England s overall performances throughout the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign and you can see just what the team lacks, and why England will not win the World Cup next year. A great team is built not just with technical ability (of which England have absolutely loads), fame and fortune but also passion, teamwork, commitment, tactics and personality, (all of which England desperat...more

How To Teach Aggressive Soccer play

...It is rough to win these if you are fearful of contact. The most hard squad might typically "win" most of the 50/50 balls and might generally gain the match. It is decisive that your defenseive players be rugged and not fearsome of full contact. If a player is cowardly of bodily contact, you might spare several goals if you play him or her at Fullback or Sweeper. Any player who is cowardly of full contact is at a disadvantage. Ideally, you desire to Teach your players to not only be brave and unafraid of bodily contact, but also to move fast and be strong about moving to the ball and to gain open balls. This is usually not easy to Instruct. A few children are by nature cautious and most young youngsters have been instructed that boisterous or aggressive play is bad because someone can get wounded. We are often asked how coaches can Instruct players to be more hard. We think that getting into the game and tough play are two of the most crucial affairs you can Instruct. Merely expressed, the players who get rough and play aggressively might have more gratification and enjoyment from playing than those who do not.

Now, we are not talking about encouraging dirty, unsafe or unfair pl...more

NFL Draft Offers Gems for Fantasy Football players

...y want to watch for a late selection or a free-agency pickup, as the season moves ahead:

1Heath Miller, TE taken by Pittsburgh: Would be ranked higher, because hell probably start, but tight ends are always a big question mark. If you are in a fantasy league that requires you to take a tight end, Miller is a good one.

2Vernand Morency, RB selected by Houston: Watch for an injury to Domanick Davis and grab Morency the second it happens.

3Maurice Clarett, RB taken by Denver: They love him and would like to see him prove all of the critics wrong. Hell get a chance to play.

4Matt Jones, WR selected by Jacksonville: Many feel the former QB is the best athlete in the NFL draft. At 6-6 with 4-5 speed and great hands, who knows?

5Roddy White, WR taken by Atlanta in the first round. Very fast and underrated. The Falcons saw little from Michael Jenkins last season, so keep a close eye on White.

6Chris Henry, WR taken by Cincinnati. Very big and fast. Could be a factor around the goal line in three and four receiver sets.

7Reggie Brown, WR selected by Philadelphia. The Eagles have a few question marks at the position, not the least of which is the bizarre antics of Terrell Owens.

8Ciatrick Fason, RB taken by Minnesota. With running back being so unsettled, Fason could emerge as the starter. Watch this one very closely.

...more

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