Paul Thompson's blog - SOCCER

Paul Thompson's blog - SOCCER
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3L9lz7Zz9QI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>The defenders of the team

As a defender you can play either as the left/right full back, the center back or the sweeper/libero. At times there can also be three defenders depending on the formation chosen by your team. A left or right fullback is often a good runner which is a requirement in order to stop the fast running wingers. Center backs have great heading skills but are often pretty slow in one vs one situation. Sweeper or libero is the back-up for the center backs and is responsible for distributing the ball to the midfielders.

The midfielders ensure that they ward off the opposition in the midfield

Midfielders are placed between the defense and the forwards/strikers of the team. There can be 3-4 players that play as the left half, center-half and right half. When playing as a midfielder you will pass the ball from the defenders to the striker and fence off the defenders as well as strikers of the opposing team. To succeed as midfielder you will need to pose good passing skills.

The Beautiful Game.

The Beautiful Game.

The Beautiful Game.



When it really comes down to it, winning games is the only way to keep team morale high, and making more goals is important to winning those games. How can you make sure your team scores more goals?Paul@AMPS- paul70.webs.com

Dear Soccer Players,To help you play the beautiful game to the best of your ability,please read the following steps:

1. Deal with any attitude problems. Many soccer players, especially the younger ones, won't try to score even when the opportunity presents. This is due to a simple attitude problem "they are terrified of missing"! The way to deal with this is to praise every shot, regardless of the outcome. Emphasize that trying is what's most important, because no one makes a goal without trying. Also, do not allow other members of the team to complain when a teammate misses a shot. Tell them it's better to miss than never have tried, and institute a policy of telling players "Nice try!" after any attempt.





2. Deal with confidence issues. Many players are not confident in their ability to shoot and make the goal, so they avoid it at every cost. This must be nipped in the bud, and the best to do that is by regular practice. Teach them to handle the ball skillfully and accurately, and they'll be more likely to use their skills on the field.





3. Teach them to look for and exploit openings in the opposing defense. Is there a 'hole' that the goal keeper can't reach in time? If so, the time to move is now! Using good technique-head down, eyes, on the ball-the player should kick the ball and hopefully score. If they make the goal, they are that much more likely to try again next time.





4. Teach them to shoot in a way that increases their chances of success. This means kicking the ball to the goal in a way the goalie doesn't expect. Try kicking the ball lower or farther to one side, or even directly at the goal keeper. When a ball is low and wide, the goal keeper may end up wrong footed, giving your team one more score.





5. Practice making goals until it is second nature. In order for this to work, the goal should be the same size as the goals they will encounter in practice and have a realistic number of defenders as well as a goalie. When kids get used to approaching this rather intimidating set up and succeeding, they will be able to do the same in actual game play.

Paul@AMPS.

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