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.

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.

 

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!

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!