When your kids put on their soccer uniforms, how do you feel? When I saw my kids in their new soccer jerseys for the first time, I felt a great swelling in my heart. My child is old enough to get involved in an activity. My child wants to get involved. My child will gain a skill that will keep her active and fit throughout her life. My child will make new friends. But there's another swelling: the fear and apprehension I feel about her precious, perfect little body. Will she get hurt? What kinds of things can happen to her? How can she gain all of the benefits of playing a sport she loves with friends she loves without breaking, straining, or tearing her bones, muscles, and ligaments?
The first safety consideration is the playing field itself and the equipment. Start with the field itself. Make sure that the grass is in good shape and doesn't disguise any holes in the ground. A smooth playing surface can prevent trips and stumbles and the ankle injuries that come with them. The second consideration is the soccer goals. Make sure that they are sturdy and well padded. Also, instruct the children not to climb or hang on the goals. Not only can the children fall off the goals, but the goals could also tip over onto the children. Especially with the younger children, this is a rule that will have to be enforced frequently until it is ingrained in their heads. (You know how much little children like to climb.) As for the ball, synthetic balls are better than leather ones because leather balls tend to absorb water when they are wet and become heavy. A heavy ball can cause injuries.
Another side of the equipment is the personal equipment of the players, namely the shoes and shin guards. You may think this would go without saying because all players wear soccer shoes and shin guards. However, it is important to have the right personal equipment. With the expense of purchasing these items, we have a tendency to hand down one child's equipment down to the next child when they are outgrown by the first. This scheme makes perfect sense as long as you are careful to ensure that the hand-me-downs fit properly. A proper fit prevents the shoes or pads from shifting as the child runs and stops suddenly. Also, different types of shoes may be needed for different field conditions.
Injury prevention is also a personal matter, a matter of taking care of your body. Young athletes can start taking care of their bodies long before the soccer season opens. Start with a good diet. A good diet is particularly important for young soccer players because their bodies are still being formed. Good nutrition is also a simple solution. It's just a matter of eating a good variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The carbohydrate-based foods should include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Soccer Continues to Dominate International Sports
One of the most popular sports in the entire world is soccer. Although it's the premier sport in most European countries, the sport has just begun gaining popularity in the United States over the past couple of decades.
The origins of modern soccer date all the way back to medieval Europe with roots steeped in Chinese culture. Formal rules were not officially established until 1848 when a group at Cambridge University drafted a set of guidelines. Over the subsequent decades, these rules were modified by a number of different organizations looking to support their own soccer leagues. By the beginning of the 1900s, organized soccer became widespread and many different governing bodies were formed in order to standardize rules and promote international competition. Soccer was first added to the modern summer Olympics lineup at the 1900 games in Paris, France. This led to the formation of FIFA, the organization that dominates the soccer scene worldwide.
Modern soccer's premier event is the FIFA World Cup. This tournament has been held every four years since 1930, except during World War II. Participating countries field a national team of homegrown players and pit their skills against other countries. Regional qualifying rounds are held in the four year period between Cups. A total of 32 teams are entered into the actual event. One country plays host for the entire duration of the tournament and rounds typically run for just over a month. When the field is narrowed to just two teams, they play the championship game that determines the overall winner. The World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events in the world. Nearly 750 million people watched the championship game on television in 2006.
In addition to the FIFA World Cup, many players also participate in professional leagues in Europe and the United States. Top players are paid rather large sums of money and become international superstars. Major league soccer has had a rocky start in America, but still thrives in a somewhat limited market.
Soccer has been gaining prominence in many areas of the world, particularly developing nations. This is mostly due to the simple rules and small amount of equipment required to play. In order to get a match going, all you need is an open field, a ball, and a way to mark the goal areas. All of these factors make the sport extremely accessible for even the most impoverished countries.
The origins of modern soccer date all the way back to medieval Europe with roots steeped in Chinese culture. Formal rules were not officially established until 1848 when a group at Cambridge University drafted a set of guidelines. Over the subsequent decades, these rules were modified by a number of different organizations looking to support their own soccer leagues. By the beginning of the 1900s, organized soccer became widespread and many different governing bodies were formed in order to standardize rules and promote international competition. Soccer was first added to the modern summer Olympics lineup at the 1900 games in Paris, France. This led to the formation of FIFA, the organization that dominates the soccer scene worldwide.
Modern soccer's premier event is the FIFA World Cup. This tournament has been held every four years since 1930, except during World War II. Participating countries field a national team of homegrown players and pit their skills against other countries. Regional qualifying rounds are held in the four year period between Cups. A total of 32 teams are entered into the actual event. One country plays host for the entire duration of the tournament and rounds typically run for just over a month. When the field is narrowed to just two teams, they play the championship game that determines the overall winner. The World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events in the world. Nearly 750 million people watched the championship game on television in 2006.
In addition to the FIFA World Cup, many players also participate in professional leagues in Europe and the United States. Top players are paid rather large sums of money and become international superstars. Major league soccer has had a rocky start in America, but still thrives in a somewhat limited market.
Soccer has been gaining prominence in many areas of the world, particularly developing nations. This is mostly due to the simple rules and small amount of equipment required to play. In order to get a match going, all you need is an open field, a ball, and a way to mark the goal areas. All of these factors make the sport extremely accessible for even the most impoverished countries.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Soccer Referee Discipline - Yellow Cards Versus Red Cards
By Todd Van Der Weele
A soccer referee is the unbiased judge who is charged with ensuring a soccer match is played in accordance to the Laws of the Game. He is responsible for order and discipline on the field from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle.
His two tools of discipline are the yellow card and the red card. The yellow card is used to show that a player has been cautioned. The red card is used to show that a player has been sent off the pitch and cannot continue to play or be substituted for. Only a player can be shown a yellow or a red card. The following describe the offenses for yellow and red cards.
A yellow card is shown to a player for the following 7 offenses:
- Unsporting behavior (hard fouls, trash talking)
- Dissent by words or action (complaining to the referee)
- Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game (continuing to foul when not necessary)
- Delaying the restart of play (kicking the ball away from spot of restart)
- Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted (standing too close to the ball)
- Entering and re-entering the field of play without referee's permission
- Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission
A red card is shown to a player if he commits any of the following 7 offenses:
- Serious foul play (fouling with the intent to injure or harm another player)
- Violent conduct (fighting)
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person
- Denying to the other team a goal or opportunity by using his hands (by knocking ball off goal line or out of goal)
- Denying a goal or opportunity to the other team moving towards the player's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick (fouling player as he attempts to score when there is no other player near the ball)
- Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
- Receiving a second caution in the same match
Understanding the reasons a referee issues yellow and red cards should be much clearer knowing the Laws of the Game, specifically Law 12.
By Todd Van Der Weele
A soccer referee is the unbiased judge who is charged with ensuring a soccer match is played in accordance to the Laws of the Game. He is responsible for order and discipline on the field from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle.
His two tools of discipline are the yellow card and the red card. The yellow card is used to show that a player has been cautioned. The red card is used to show that a player has been sent off the pitch and cannot continue to play or be substituted for. Only a player can be shown a yellow or a red card. The following describe the offenses for yellow and red cards.
A yellow card is shown to a player for the following 7 offenses:
- Unsporting behavior (hard fouls, trash talking)
- Dissent by words or action (complaining to the referee)
- Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game (continuing to foul when not necessary)
- Delaying the restart of play (kicking the ball away from spot of restart)
- Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted (standing too close to the ball)
- Entering and re-entering the field of play without referee's permission
- Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee's permission
A red card is shown to a player if he commits any of the following 7 offenses:
- Serious foul play (fouling with the intent to injure or harm another player)
- Violent conduct (fighting)
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person
- Denying to the other team a goal or opportunity by using his hands (by knocking ball off goal line or out of goal)
- Denying a goal or opportunity to the other team moving towards the player's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick (fouling player as he attempts to score when there is no other player near the ball)
- Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
- Receiving a second caution in the same match
Understanding the reasons a referee issues yellow and red cards should be much clearer knowing the Laws of the Game, specifically Law 12.
By Todd Van Der Weele
Rules of Soccer - Offside Rule in Soccer
By Pauline Go
In a game of soccer, you might have come across the point where a whistle was blown and a player stopped from performing his action. This is because he was on the offside. You might wonder, what is this offside rule in soccer?
Well, offside is a point in the field where a player becomes too close to the opponent's goal line. In fact, the player in the defender's half of the field and comes much close to the goals line that the ball and the second last opponent. The purpose of the offside rule in soccer is to prevent a attacking from pushing forward because of certain factors. The offside rule applies in three different ways which are offside position, offside offense and offside sanction.
In order to a player to be determined on the offside, there must one defender and the goalkeeper, between the player and the goalpost. The ball comes to the player from the front and in a position which is not suitable. The player's position in the field is over the half line mark in the field.In addition to these points, there are two other points which apply. These are that the player must be in a position that is interfering with the action of the opponent or the game or that he is using the position of being on the offside to his advantage in the game. This part about offside is also called Offside Offense. When an Offside Offense happens, an Offside Sanction takes place. This is actually a penalty for the offense which is to be given in the form of an indirect free kick from the place where the offense happened.
In a game of soccer, you might have come across the point where a whistle was blown and a player stopped from performing his action. This is because he was on the offside. You might wonder, what is this offside rule in soccer?
Well, offside is a point in the field where a player becomes too close to the opponent's goal line. In fact, the player in the defender's half of the field and comes much close to the goals line that the ball and the second last opponent. The purpose of the offside rule in soccer is to prevent a attacking from pushing forward because of certain factors. The offside rule applies in three different ways which are offside position, offside offense and offside sanction.
In order to a player to be determined on the offside, there must one defender and the goalkeeper, between the player and the goalpost. The ball comes to the player from the front and in a position which is not suitable. The player's position in the field is over the half line mark in the field.In addition to these points, there are two other points which apply. These are that the player must be in a position that is interfering with the action of the opponent or the game or that he is using the position of being on the offside to his advantage in the game. This part about offside is also called Offside Offense. When an Offside Offense happens, an Offside Sanction takes place. This is actually a penalty for the offense which is to be given in the form of an indirect free kick from the place where the offense happened.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
History of Soccer
By Mubeen Musthakeem
Soccer is the most popular game in the world and millions of people watch the game and enjoy it but they are completely oblivious when it comes to knowing the history of the game. Nobody knows the exact date when the game was played but centuries ago around 1000BC, the Japanese are thought to have played a similar type of game. The Greeks and the Chinese are also thought to have played a similar game to soccer.
In the 1300s, during the reign of King Edward, anyone caught playing soccer was put behind bars as it was thought unsafe and a public bother. The ban was lifted in 1681 and soccer earned was allowed to play in England and in the 1800s, the game became so famous that they had soccer competitions once a year. After that major leagues started forming across the globe and soccer turned into a spectator sport. Soccer made its first appearance in Olympics in the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 where an English club team emerged winners.
Nowadays, the championships are played by national teams rather than clubs and this is one factor which has boosted the number of soccer fans as they cheered on their country. Today, soccer is mostly watched on television and millions of dollars have been spent on the game. The most popular leagues are the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy and Bundas Liga in Germany. Soccer players have become superstars and are among the highest paid sportsman in the world.
By Mubeen Musthakeem
Soccer is the most popular game in the world and millions of people watch the game and enjoy it but they are completely oblivious when it comes to knowing the history of the game. Nobody knows the exact date when the game was played but centuries ago around 1000BC, the Japanese are thought to have played a similar type of game. The Greeks and the Chinese are also thought to have played a similar game to soccer.
In the 1300s, during the reign of King Edward, anyone caught playing soccer was put behind bars as it was thought unsafe and a public bother. The ban was lifted in 1681 and soccer earned was allowed to play in England and in the 1800s, the game became so famous that they had soccer competitions once a year. After that major leagues started forming across the globe and soccer turned into a spectator sport. Soccer made its first appearance in Olympics in the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 where an English club team emerged winners.
Nowadays, the championships are played by national teams rather than clubs and this is one factor which has boosted the number of soccer fans as they cheered on their country. Today, soccer is mostly watched on television and millions of dollars have been spent on the game. The most popular leagues are the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy and Bundas Liga in Germany. Soccer players have become superstars and are among the highest paid sportsman in the world.
By Mubeen Musthakeem
Soccer Recruiting Videos - What Coaches Really Want to See
By Gary V Hawkins
For high school athletes trying to make it to the college soccer level, soccer recruiting videos play a vital role. Coaches want to see video to make a determination on whether or not a soccer player has the talent and skills to play soccer at the division level his or her team competes at.
Soccer recruiting videos can take several forms. Footage can be in the the form of DVD's or footage placed online. No matter what format you decide to use, the important thing is that your video needs to grab the attention of the coach and make him or her want to learn more about you. A good video will:
1- Demonstrate your specific soccer skills 2- Show some of your best game highlights 3- Show complete game footage
Coaches don't want to see soccer recruiting videos that simply show nothing but your highlights. They realize any athlete can put together enough highlights to make themselves appear to be a great soccer player. Coaches also want to see footage of you demonstrating the specific skills of the game of soccer and how you perform under game conditions.
Getting good video footage can be created from several different sources. You can ask your school or high school coach about the footage they maintain. You can ask your traveling team coach about video footage. You an ask your parent(s) to create some footage for you. Or, you can go out and hire a professional. If you have the money to spend, hiring a professional is obviously the best way to go. If you don't have the money to spend to hire a professional, doing it yourself or getting footage from your coach is okay.
Along with the soccer recruiting videos you send out to coaches, you'll want to also send out a letter to the coaches along with your athletic resumes. Making direct contact with coaches is the best way to get recognition and to get coaches interested in signing you to come and play in their program. In most cases, you may want to send the letter and resume first, and let the coach know video footage is available upon his or her request.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
By Gary V Hawkins
For high school athletes trying to make it to the college soccer level, soccer recruiting videos play a vital role. Coaches want to see video to make a determination on whether or not a soccer player has the talent and skills to play soccer at the division level his or her team competes at.
Soccer recruiting videos can take several forms. Footage can be in the the form of DVD's or footage placed online. No matter what format you decide to use, the important thing is that your video needs to grab the attention of the coach and make him or her want to learn more about you. A good video will:
1- Demonstrate your specific soccer skills 2- Show some of your best game highlights 3- Show complete game footage
Coaches don't want to see soccer recruiting videos that simply show nothing but your highlights. They realize any athlete can put together enough highlights to make themselves appear to be a great soccer player. Coaches also want to see footage of you demonstrating the specific skills of the game of soccer and how you perform under game conditions.
Getting good video footage can be created from several different sources. You can ask your school or high school coach about the footage they maintain. You can ask your traveling team coach about video footage. You an ask your parent(s) to create some footage for you. Or, you can go out and hire a professional. If you have the money to spend, hiring a professional is obviously the best way to go. If you don't have the money to spend to hire a professional, doing it yourself or getting footage from your coach is okay.
Along with the soccer recruiting videos you send out to coaches, you'll want to also send out a letter to the coaches along with your athletic resumes. Making direct contact with coaches is the best way to get recognition and to get coaches interested in signing you to come and play in their program. In most cases, you may want to send the letter and resume first, and let the coach know video footage is available upon his or her request.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
By Gary V Hawkins
Who Has Scored the Most Goals in World Cup Soccer History?
By Amy Nutt
Almost every culture around the world has some type of connection to the history of football/soccer. Such cultures as the Ancient Greeks, Persians, Vikings, The Chinese, Japanese, and much more, played a game that is much like today's football/soccer. For instance, The Chinese played "footballer" games dating as far back as about 3000 years ago. However, it was in England that soccer / football really began to grow in popularity. After becoming popular in England, soccer became a widely loved sport throughout the world. The celebrated FIFA World cup led the way to the rise of soccer stars, and conferred world soccer records holders such as the player who has scored the most goals in world cup soccer history.
Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldo Nazario de Lima has scored the most goals in Fifa World Cup history. Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima, more generally known as Ronaldo, was born in September 18, 1976. In 1993, Ronaldo began his professional soccer/footballer career playing for Cruzeiro. In his single year with Cruzeiro, he accumulated 12 goals in 14 games and led the team to win their first Copa do Brasil championship. After playing with Cruzeiro, in 1994, he joined with the Dutch football team PSV. In 1996, in his final year with PSV, Ronaldo aided the team to win the Dutch Cup.
Ronaldo is also an established national footballer for Brazil. He has played in 97 international games, accumulating 62 goals and standing 15 goals away from the Brazilian national scoring record. He was a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. During the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal.
Nicknamed 'O Fenômeno,' which is translated as ""The Phenomenon" in English, Ronaldo made the number 9 famous and made it tantamount with the position of center forward. During his footballer career in Europe, Ronaldo became one of the most celebrated 'strikers' throughout the world after he won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997, and then once more in 2002. He is also one of only two players to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times. In 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by his fellow Brazilian soccer star, Pelé.
To many contemporary footballers, Ronaldo is a living icon who has been credited with encouraging a stronger marketing interest in soccer throughout the world, particularly because of his relationship with Nike who had in the past spent their marketing resources and time primarily on Basketball.
The soccer that we know today was shaped during the 1960s. Increased media coverage and TV broadcasts has made the game more popular than ever. With soccer stars such as David Beckham in the spotlight, the popularity of soccer will continue to grow.
By Amy Nutt
Almost every culture around the world has some type of connection to the history of football/soccer. Such cultures as the Ancient Greeks, Persians, Vikings, The Chinese, Japanese, and much more, played a game that is much like today's football/soccer. For instance, The Chinese played "footballer" games dating as far back as about 3000 years ago. However, it was in England that soccer / football really began to grow in popularity. After becoming popular in England, soccer became a widely loved sport throughout the world. The celebrated FIFA World cup led the way to the rise of soccer stars, and conferred world soccer records holders such as the player who has scored the most goals in world cup soccer history.
Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldo Nazario de Lima has scored the most goals in Fifa World Cup history. Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima, more generally known as Ronaldo, was born in September 18, 1976. In 1993, Ronaldo began his professional soccer/footballer career playing for Cruzeiro. In his single year with Cruzeiro, he accumulated 12 goals in 14 games and led the team to win their first Copa do Brasil championship. After playing with Cruzeiro, in 1994, he joined with the Dutch football team PSV. In 1996, in his final year with PSV, Ronaldo aided the team to win the Dutch Cup.
Ronaldo is also an established national footballer for Brazil. He has played in 97 international games, accumulating 62 goals and standing 15 goals away from the Brazilian national scoring record. He was a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. During the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal.
Nicknamed 'O Fenômeno,' which is translated as ""The Phenomenon" in English, Ronaldo made the number 9 famous and made it tantamount with the position of center forward. During his footballer career in Europe, Ronaldo became one of the most celebrated 'strikers' throughout the world after he won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997, and then once more in 2002. He is also one of only two players to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times. In 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by his fellow Brazilian soccer star, Pelé.
To many contemporary footballers, Ronaldo is a living icon who has been credited with encouraging a stronger marketing interest in soccer throughout the world, particularly because of his relationship with Nike who had in the past spent their marketing resources and time primarily on Basketball.
The soccer that we know today was shaped during the 1960s. Increased media coverage and TV broadcasts has made the game more popular than ever. With soccer stars such as David Beckham in the spotlight, the popularity of soccer will continue to grow.
By Amy Nutt
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