Free Soccer Fitness Training Book And Coaching Tips
November 12, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under Soccer Training
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.
World Soccer Shop 15% Off Mega Deal
November 10, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under EPL, Soccer Training, World Soccer
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Warming Up Before Your Soccer Fitness Routine
October 27, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under Soccer Training
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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October 23, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under Soccer Training, World Soccer
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Soccer Training Aids For Practicing Kicking
October 22, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under Soccer Training
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
October 13, 2009 by Jim Osgood
Filed under Soccer Training
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!















