Free Soccer Fitness Training Book And Coaching Tips

Every soccer team needs training sessions so that the players can focus on developing their soccer skills and abilities. During these training sessions a coach must have certain accessories that help with the improvement of team strategies and increase the technical abilities of the team members and help in organizing the soccer training session.

A dry erase coaching board is one of the most useful coaching accessories for a soccer coach to have. It is very similar to a standard dry erase board but it has the background of a soccer field. Coaches can utilize dry erase markers to sketch different positions, field strategies and soccer plays. Hence, it serves as a good tool to help visualize the important plays and routines used while playing a game or during practice.

Often dry erase coach boards are designed with a drawing of a soccer field on one side and a plain white dry erase board at the other side. They usually come with markers, eraser, case or handle and a solution that will ease the removal of marks from the board.

Another accessory that is very useful for a coach to help with soccer training is the portfolio style clipboard. These clipboards are designed specifically for coaches and include outlines of plays and their other soccer strategies. This tool will help a coach in discussing the team’s key tactics in order to win during the games and what to try out in the training sessions.

The last coaching accessory that a coach should obtain is a good solid training manual similar to the free one I offer on this website: “The World Cup 2010 Training Manual”. This book has been used by coaches in outlining soccer training sessions, it also discusses numerous defensive and offensive strategies that can be implemented during a soccer game. Aside from that, this accessory will also guide a coach to increase the performance level of the players, organize the training sessions and also includes many other related soccer tips. The book also teaches the coach on how to train players from their formative teenage years up to adult level.

There are many other soccer coaching accessories available on the market, as a coach you need to select the best ones that offer the most benefits to your team.

Go to this site to see some of the best up to date coaching accessories available.

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Avoiding Cramps During Your Soccer Fitness Training Program

As you play soccer matches and also during your soccer training, you may sometimes experience cramps in various muscles in your legs and your body. Cramps happen suddenly, they also usually end pretty quickly but sometimes they can last long enough to take you out of a game completely, and the pain that comes along with severe cramps can be excruciating.

To avoid cramps during your soccer training, you must be aware of the following facts:

Cramps come in many different forms and they can be brought on for different reasons. They occur when different muscles go through an involuntary spasm, usually caused by a range of changes in the body, atmospheric conditions, heavy exercise and serious medical conditions or illnesses. When you are experiencing cramps during training, it is important to identify the primary cause of the cramps so that you can prevent their occurrence in the future.

You should always avoid eating heavy meals before you participate in any physical activity. If your stomach is full, you may not only experience cramps, but you may also feel sick, especially during warm weather. Therefore, it is recommended that you should only eat a light meal before your training session. You can eat a larger meal after your training, but only if your body has cooled down properly.

You can also prevent cramps by ensuring that your clothes and soccer equipment fit perfectly. Your shoes must be cushioned properly and be flexible enough to provide comfort, shoes that are too large or too small can be the source of cramps. Furthermore, the socks that you wear must not be too thick nor too thin because they can affect the fitting of your shoes.

Incorporate foods that are high in vitamins and other nutrients in your daily diet. Usually, cramps are the result of a person’s bad nutrition. Buy a bottle of multivitamins in order to supplement your body with the necessary vitamins for your soccer training.

Lastly, perform stretching activities before you participate in your training session for the day. As you workout doing your warm up exercises your muscles loosen up and become flexible, you will be able to play better and reach your maximum speed and intensity without the worry of a cramp or strain. However, if you do not prepare your body with warm up exercises, the risk of developing cramps and other injuries are very high, and may lead to a more long term lay off from the game.

 

Professional Football Training Drills For Defenders

Once you enroll in soccer training, you must first learn the basic characteristics of good defending, even if you want to be a striker or midfielder. The main aim is to make sure that the rival team will not gain control of the ball.

However, a defense strategy does not only involve keeping possession of the ball from the other team, but also getting full control over the ball itself and using it properly. To fully understand the defense strategy of your team, check out the following qualities that every successful defender needs to have.

The first attribute of a successful defender is that he maintains a strong focus on the ball throughout the whole of the game. By always knowing where the ball is, and determining the appropriate technique and time to take control of the ball, a good defender will make the defense much stronger and harder to break down.

Take note that it is important to be always one step ahead of the opposing team, so you must identify the tactical strategies that they are using as soon as you can. Most teams tend to play to their strengths and play in a similar formation every game, usually only making their formation more defensive when they play away.

Secondly, an outstanding defender is used to dealing with different soccer skills and techniques. If you know a lot of plays and strategies, then you will be able to defend against tricky players more successfully. Take time to learn various dribbling and passing methods, since your main objective is to ensure that your rivals will not have possession of the ball, know their tricks because most players are one trick ponies, once you know their particular “trick” you can defend against them a lot better.

A successful defender performs numerous drills during soccer training. The drills are performed both as an individual and as a group because you will have the chance to train your body for different situations and learn the basic defensive strategies. Many coaches employ techniques such as tying a long piece of string to the back four and drilling them so they work as a unit, and making them step up as a unit at the right time to catch the other team offside.

If you have some experience and have already mastered the basic necessary drills and defending techniques, you will notice improvement in your training and matchplay, and your ability to read the game and make a challenge before there is any real danger.

As I mentioned before, every player is a defender, the strikers and midfield should be closing down the opposing team long before they reach the 18 yard box, although many teams will only close down once the other team crosses the half way line to conserve energy.

Good strikers like Didier Drogba of Chelsea are also great defenders, and are used to marking the opposing team on corners and set-plays, if you watch the top class strikers they also help out the defense by slowing down the other teams keeper when he is trying to get a fast break going, or they close down the defenders to try and force an error.

You can do many other things in order to be a successful defender, just make sure you follow your coaches instructions and learn to work as a team with your fellow players, and especially your defensive unit. Constantly talk to each other and listen to your keeper’s instructions, especially when setting up a wall or defending a corner.

Always see to it that you are mentally and physically prepared for every game. Living a healthy lifestyle plays a vital role in developing your mind and body for the soccer field. Eat healthy foods such as raw foods and drink plenty of water every day, watch how the big teams defend and never stop learning.

Warming Up Before Your Soccer Fitness Routine

In every physical activity, warming up before you engage in a workout is very important, and so it follows that a warm-up session before your soccer training is also absolutely necessary.

During your training routine you are usually aiming to improve your soccer skills and overall fitness, as well as your strength and tactical awareness, all of which can strain your muscles. Therefore, to minimize the chance of injuries you are well advised to perform warm up exercises. If you fall short in preparing your body for a heavy workout, you may have to miss out on future training sessions and matches due to sprains and muscle strain.

The muscles in our bodies are usually very tight, and when the muscle gets tighter it is more prone to tension injuries like pulls and strains. As you train for soccer, your body is being lead into an array of quick changing movements that can build up the tension in your muscles.

Activities like turning swiftly, twisting in an unusual manner and the different types of fast muscle stretching during soccer practice can bring various injuries to your body. The most common injuries include muscle sprains, strains on the different muscles as well as rips in the fragile tissue of the muscles.

Movements that result in giving “warmness” to your muscles will enable your tissues to produce a certain level of energy more rapidly compared to their cold equivalent, and the amount of tension that is naturally contained in the muscles will be reduced. Doing a warm up before training is a way of relieving tension in your muscles before you punish them.

In addition, relaxed muscles can be an advantage in your overall soccer game. Your total speed will increase and you will be able to comfortably perform your moves and execute them with strength, as well as sustain an advanced control over your technique.

As you go through your warm up activities ahead of your soccer training, always remember to incorporate a wide range of stretches similar to those that will be used during the game.

To add a slight twist to your usual warm up exercises, use your soccer ball when stretching. You can stretch your legs by turning the ball in a circular movement with your foot. This activity can limber up your muscles in your legs, ankles and feet. You can also loosen up your arms by holding the ball above your head and moving it in several positions. See My FREE Book for more details!

Warm up activities play an important role in your soccer game. It can lessen the probability of an injury, mentally prepare you for your training, boost your speed, enhance your strength and assist you in performing specific moves. It can definitely affect your overall performance and help protect you from any long term muscle problems.

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Soccer Training Aids For Practicing Kicking

If you have ever been involved in playing soccer, the most basic technique you will learn is the importance of kicking skills. This is the reason why coaches emphasize the significance of practicing your kicks in your training sessions. There are many ways to enhance your overall efficiency in kicking so you can develop it over time.

To practice your kicks outside of your training sessions, convince a friend or relative to help you. They can roll, kick, or throw the soccer ball towards you in various ways and at different rates of speed. This will simulate a real game scenario and you can play as if there is an opponent. You also get the chance to practice your ground and aerial kicks. When practicing with someone, take extra caution by wearing proper protective equipment to avoid accidental injuries to either of you.

Practicing your kicks with your soccer training team buddies is also a good idea. Both of you have probably already learned the basic soccer rules and techniques during your training routines.
Therefore, the two of you can execute kicks in different ways. You will be able to kick the ball towards each other or you can kick it alongside with your teammate, or dribbling around cones. Mini-games are also practical ways to improve your kicking skills because they also allow you to apply kicking techniques such as dribbling and passing the ball.

Even if you are alone, you can still practice your kicking skills. Several players practice their kicks by kicking the ball against a sturdy wall. Then, as the ball bounces back, the player can perform other kicking strategies. Innovative players sometimes put a target on the wall so that they can kick the ball towards it, this method will help you improve your accuracy and control over the ball.

As you develop your kicking skills during your soccer training, you must take note of the following points. First of all, be familiar with the basic kicks used in the soccer game. Secondly, keep your balance while exercising your kicks. Thirdly, control the ball when you practice your kicks during training.

Always do your best in every drill and activity that your coach delegates during your soccer training, even the ones you do not enjoy. You can also come up with your own drills and techniques. After identifying your own strengths and weaknesses, the development of your skill will depend on how you work on them, if you only have one good foot for example, spend more time every day on kicking with the weaker foot to improve it. This is a technique that David Beckham’s father used on him for many of his early years, to make him good with both feet. This obviously worked, he has one world class right foot and a pretty good left one as well!

Head Injuries During Your Soccer Fitness Sessions

During soccer training a few injuries will happen no matter how careful the people who set the sessions up and organize them are, it is after all a contact sport. When you are working to improve your soccer skills and abilities, there is always the probability that one part of your body may get injured. Usually, the head is more prone to injuries because it is used in numerous soccer techniques.

So how do you take care of a head injury if one occurs during a soccer match or practice?

If you are a Coach, then you should learn the proper way to handle head injuries, the chances that one will happen during your training sessions at some point in your career are high. As you study the different types of head injury, be sure to understand the circumstances that may cause the injury to happen in the first place, the signs to look out for when they occur and the symptoms as well as the first aid applications that are required.

If a player suffers from a head concussion, it indicates that he may have bruising or a broken blood vessel in his brain area. Head concussions are usually caused by a simple head blow from a soccer ball. Normally, when a player has a head concussion he will pass out or will have headache complaints. He may also experience imbalance, physical pain and memory loss.

It is necessary to identify when a head injury has occurred immediately. Always keep a cell phone handy so that you can call for assistance straight away. Stabilize the head of the injured person and do not move them until professional medical help arrives. In all cases of head injury, only medical professionals are permitted to move the victim.

Nosebleeds and black eyes are also common head injuries that may happen during soccer training. For nosebleeds, give a cloth to the victim and let him sit in a comfortable position. You should also request that he pinches his nose for a few minutes in order to stop the bleeding. If you think that the player’s nose has been broken, seek out medical assistance at once. For a black eye, give an ice pack to the player so that he can place it on the affected eye to reduce the puffiness and the pain.

This serves as a very basic guide on head injuries, if possible always have a first aid professional available at any soccer practice you are in charge of, and learn first aid and how to resuscitate an injured person yourself as part of being a responsible coach.

Soccer Fitness Training Equipment For Youth Soccer

Organizing youth soccer training is an enjoyable task. It can be a fun time for everybody from the Coach or trainer down to the friends, family and supporters. Through the training, coaches have the chance to develop the skills of a particular player and also further the skills and fitness of the whole team. Family members and friends also get the opportunity to view the player that they are supporting or are related to in a less competitive setting, and watch their progression as a young player.

Before you start hosting youth soccer training, it is important to prepare a checklist of the basic equipment that you will need for the training sessions. Be sure to include the following gear:

1. Ball – Obvious one to start with, but people do forget them! If possible, provide a soccer ball for every player. Although you can get them to bring their own ball, some of the children may not have their own one or be able to afford it. In other cases, some the children may simply forget to bring their ball during the practice so it is safe to always have plenty available for them.

If a child wants to use their own ball, make sure they write their name on it so that they do not lose it. This also saves on any arguments at the end of the session when 8 kids all have the same type of ball!

2. Large Cooler – At every game you need to provide drinks such as iced water or iced Gatorade for the players, this is even more important in the summer and in hotter climates. You need to buy a cooler and a water cooler with a spout to conveniently serve the drinks, do not give out plastic bottles that will be thrown away. Do not forget to always have an abundant supply cups available for the children, try and make them re-usable or ones that are easy to recycle, and point this out to the kids so they do not throw them away, this will also help them develop good recycling habits at an early age.

Obviously some of the children will misplace their cups or they may also use a new cup every time they drink. You can also encourage them to carry their own bottle of ice water to minimize your expenses in purchasing cups and because of the above mentioned green issues. Just like with their personal soccer balls, make sure they also write their name on their bottles.

3. Shin Guards/Pads – See to it that you have enough shin guards for all the players to keep them from injuries. As with everything, some players may not be able to afford to buy a pair of shin guards, therefore you must supply them. As their coach, you must prioritize the safety of your players in every session and area of their training.

4. Whistle – Whistles are important when conducting soccer training. They are the only way to get the attention of the children especially if the training is done in a large area.

5. Uniforms – In training a large crowd of soccer players, you need to divide the group into teams. You can provide uniforms in the form of colored vests, shirts or flags in different colors. In this way, you can identify the teams when they are having drills and activities.

6. First Aid Kit – You should always have a first aid kit on standby, and know how to use it. You should also make up some questionnaires for the parents about their kid’s health, if there are any doubts make them bring a note from the child’s GP giving permission for them to play. Completing a basic CPR and first aid course is also a good idea for any coach.

These are just some of the basic things you need to be thinking about if you want to Coach kid’s soccer. Whatever level you start or end up at, safety always comes first, remember you are looking after someone’s child, so be well prepared in advance and most of all have fun!