Proper running form and body control are essential elements in any sport. Having the ability to run fast, accelerate when needed and stay on your feet are all attributes that improve a soccer player's performance.
Running can be improved with proper form for even the fastest players. The following video demonstrates skills to practice to improve running efficiency and speed.
Read more about How to teach proper running to kids.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Fouls and Misconduct in Soccer
Fouls committed by a player result in awarding the ball to the team that suffered the foul provided the foul occurred outside a penalty area. A direct or
indirect free kick is given based on the type of foul or misconduct. The kick is taken from the spot where the foul was committed.
A fundamental difference exists between fouls and misconduct. A foul occurs when a player tries to get the ball from his opponent and kicks him or pushes him away accidentally. A misconduct occurs when a player willingly targets an opponent by punching, kicking or pushing the player away. Fouls can only occur when the ball is in play, but misconduct can occur when it's out of play as well.
Disciplinary Actions
Colored cards are used in soccer to designate the severity of a foul or misconduct of a player or coach.
A YELLOW card is used to communicate that a player, substitute, or substituted player has been cautioned.
A RED card is used to communicate that a player, substitute or substituted player has been sent off the field (otherwise known as the pitch).
Only a player, substitute or substituted player may be shown a red or yellow card.
A player who commits a caution-able or sending-off offense, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offense committed.
Yellow Card Offenses
A player is cautioned and shown a yellow card if any of the following seven fouls or misconduct are committed.
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if any of the following seven fouls are misconducts are committed.
A player, substitute or substituted player who receives a Red Card and has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play. These players can not sit on the bench or join spectators. Red card players must leave the area completely (aka. Car) until the match is over.
You can read more about Fouls and Misconduct (Law 12) at fifa.com. Yellow card and red card information is referenced from the FIFA site.
A fundamental difference exists between fouls and misconduct. A foul occurs when a player tries to get the ball from his opponent and kicks him or pushes him away accidentally. A misconduct occurs when a player willingly targets an opponent by punching, kicking or pushing the player away. Fouls can only occur when the ball is in play, but misconduct can occur when it's out of play as well.
Disciplinary Actions
Colored cards are used in soccer to designate the severity of a foul or misconduct of a player or coach.
A YELLOW card is used to communicate that a player, substitute, or substituted player has been cautioned.
A RED card is used to communicate that a player, substitute or substituted player has been sent off the field (otherwise known as the pitch).
Only a player, substitute or substituted player may be shown a red or yellow card.
A player who commits a caution-able or sending-off offense, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offense committed.
Yellow Card Offenses
A player is cautioned and shown a yellow card if any of the following seven fouls or misconduct are committed.
- Unsporting behavior
- Dissent by word or action
- Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
- Delaying the restart of play
- Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
- Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
- Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
- Unsporting behavior
- Dissent by word or action
- Delaying the restart of play
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if any of the following seven fouls are misconducts are committed.
- Serious foul play
- Violent conduct
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person
- Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
- Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by a foul punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
- Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
- Receiving a second caution in the same match
A player, substitute or substituted player who receives a Red Card and has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play. These players can not sit on the bench or join spectators. Red card players must leave the area completely (aka. Car) until the match is over.
You can read more about Fouls and Misconduct (Law 12) at fifa.com. Yellow card and red card information is referenced from the FIFA site.
Turning and Receivng the Soccer Ball on the Move
Receiving and turning with the ball is a skill all players need to learn but it is most important that our U10 and U12 players master this skill. Our U8 players will work on this skill a little later in their training this season. We are still trying to master proper passing and basic foot skills.
Mastering the skill of trapping the ball is generally the first step in controlling the ball so as to dribble or pass to another teammate moving down the field. But even after players are good at trapping or passing the ball they need to learn how to receive the ball on the move. The video below does a great job showing how to receive the ball on the move.
Learn more at Soccerquick.com - How to Receive and Trap the Soccer Ball (Without Pressure)
Mastering the skill of trapping the ball is generally the first step in controlling the ball so as to dribble or pass to another teammate moving down the field. But even after players are good at trapping or passing the ball they need to learn how to receive the ball on the move. The video below does a great job showing how to receive the ball on the move.
Learn to Receive the ball on the Move
Learn more at Soccerquick.com - How to Receive and Trap the Soccer Ball (Without Pressure)
How to Properly Strike the Soccer Ball
As players develop soccer skills they need regular coaching on how to properly strike the ball. Toe kicking, or kicking the ball with the toe of their shoe, reduces the ability for players to control a soccer ball. Coaches, parents and fellow players should help reinforce the habits of players kicking the call correctly and not with their toe.
The following video does a great job of demonstrating the proper way to kick the soccer ball.
The following video does a great job of demonstrating the proper way to kick the soccer ball.
U10 Soccer Field Dimensions with Labels
I know this post is for a A U10 soccer field. The dimension may not pertain to your size field depending on your age group, but the terminology is the same. It is important for coaches to use the correct terms and that players understand those terms.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Basic Soccer Ball Control Skills
It is important that every young soccer player learn ball control skills. Confidence in these skills allows players to control and play the ball out of very tight spaces successfully. Daily practice is necessary in achieving good ball control skills and improving confidence. Training sessions do not have to be long. Fifteen to 30 minute sessions are adequate to improve these skills.
Coaches should encourage ball control skills at the beginning of each practice to see progress made by players practicing at home between official training sessions.
Here are a few videos on basic soccer ball control skills players should practice every day.
Juggling
This video covers the basics of juggling and will help players get started. It is about 10 minutes long and the actual juggling technique demonstration starts about 5 minutes into the video. Enjoy.
Using both feet to control the ball
This video demonstrates using each foot to roll the ball forwards and backwards, side to side, and in a triangle. You will see examples of using the inside and outside of the foot to push the ball forward and how to push the ball in a circle using each foot.
Trapping the ball
This video demonstrates multiple ways to trap the ball. Remember practice makes perfect. So give it a try.
If players practice these basic skills for 15 to 30 minutes per day they will improve their confidence and skill level to control the ball. Make it fun while practicing. Use music or sing a song in your head or out loud to help develop a rhythm.
Coaches should encourage ball control skills at the beginning of each practice to see progress made by players practicing at home between official training sessions.
Here are a few videos on basic soccer ball control skills players should practice every day.
Juggling
This video covers the basics of juggling and will help players get started. It is about 10 minutes long and the actual juggling technique demonstration starts about 5 minutes into the video. Enjoy.
Using both feet to control the ball
This video demonstrates using each foot to roll the ball forwards and backwards, side to side, and in a triangle. You will see examples of using the inside and outside of the foot to push the ball forward and how to push the ball in a circle using each foot.
Trapping the ball
This video demonstrates multiple ways to trap the ball. Remember practice makes perfect. So give it a try.
If players practice these basic skills for 15 to 30 minutes per day they will improve their confidence and skill level to control the ball. Make it fun while practicing. Use music or sing a song in your head or out loud to help develop a rhythm.
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