Top Training Tips for the Soccer Player

Even the best soccer players have to put endless hours into their training.  David Beckham started training by himself at an early age and he would have been practising at different techniques to find perfection in his game.  When you train by yourself you have to be more critical, and practice on both your strengths and weaknesses, this is so important if you want to achieve your aims.

Organising your training and covering all aspects of soccer will improve you as a player.   As you are training by yourself it is important to use as many types of techniques as you can, such as feints and dummies.  Try using both feet, this makes it harder for the opposition to defend and mark.  If you can watch a video on Christian Ronaldo,  he demonstrates the best way the techniques can be done.

You should never start a training session without a warm up and its also very important to end a training session with a warm down.  Being flexible in your joints, muscles and ligaments will prevent injuries.  Then you can continue to master the game of soccer.

If you have stairs handy with a little bit of room behind you, throw a ball up onto the stairs and as the ball comes down quickly, you have to control the ball.  This will help you with your first touch and the control of the ball. Also, using a wall can be useful when training by yourself, you can practice with your passing, by kicking the ball into the wall using different parts of the foot.  Keeping the ball moving as you would in a game. You can also try throwing a ball against a wall and controlling it with you chest or thighs.  Using this method has helped many soccer players improve their ball skills.

There are different skills for different positions for the soccer player to perfect.  If you are a striker you would have to master your shots on goal and finishing touches in front of the goal.  For a midfielder it would help to concentrate on your passing and dribbling skills.  The defender can practice on their tackling skills.

You will benefit from putting a lot of effort into your training and not treating it as just a kick around.  If possible try and have a training partner, you can help each other with your weaknesses and give each other more things to practice on whilst training

Draw for Carling Cup third round:

Brentford v Everton
Portsmouth v Leicester
Stoke v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Tottenham v Arsenal
Millwall v Ipswich
Wolverhampton v Notts County
Burnley v Bolton
Birmingham v MIK Dons
Liverpool v Northampton
Scunthorpe v Man Utd
West Brom v Man City
Sunderland v West Ham
Peterborough v Swansea
Wigan v Preston

English Premiership New Ruling

Carling Cup

The Carling Cup is actually the Football League Cup, but it is in current sponsorship with Carling.  The football competition is like the F.A Cup but instead of 762 teams playing in the knockout stages there are only 92 clubs taking part.  These teams are from the Premiership and the Football Leagues.

Preliminary Round
This is only used when the number of teams in European competition affects the number of byes to the third round.   These matches usually involve the eligible clubs who finished lowest in the English Football Leagues last season, which can be the clubs that were promoted from the Conference League.

First Round
All clubs playing in the football league championship, league one and league join any of the preliminary round winners.  For this round, the clubs are divided in northern and southern sections as much as they can.  Half of the clubs from each section are seeded and half are not.  First a draw is made to determine whether the seeded club is to play at home or away, and then the club is drawn against a club that is not seeded from their section.  The ties are single matches, with extra time and a penalty shootout if necessary, with the winners progressing to the next round.

Second round
All clubs playing in the Premier League, unless they are competing in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League, as well as any clubs that may have been given a bye to this round, enter at this stage and join the First Round winners.  The ties are single matches, with extra time and a penalty shootout if necessary, with the winners progressing to the next round.

Third round
All clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League enter at this stage and join the Second Round winners (making for a total of 32 clubs).  The ties are single matches, with extra time and a penalty shootout if necessary, with the winners progressing to the next round.

Fourth and fifth rounds
The winners of ties in the previous round play single matches, with extra time and a penalty shootout if necessary.  The fifth round is also known as the quarter-finals.

Semi-finals
The four quarter-final winners compete in this round.  The ties are played over two matches.  The ties are played over two matches (one at each club’s stadium), with the aggregate score being used to determine the winners.  If the aggregate scores are level at the end of the 90 minutes, extra time is played.  If the scores are still level at the end of extra time, the team which has scored more away goals goes through.  If the number of away goals is still level, a penalty shootout is used to decide the winners.

1st Round 2010/2011

(these matches were played week commencing 9th August 2010)

Cardiff 4-1 Burton Albion

Torquay 0-1 Reading (after extra time)

Aldershot 0-3 Watford

Barnsley 0-1 Rochdale

Brentford 2-1 Cheltenham

Bradford 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Carlisle 0-1 Huddersfield

Chesterfield 1-2 Middlesbrough

Crewe 1-0 Derby

Doncaster 1-2 Accrington Stanley

Exeter 2-3 Ipswich

Hereford 0-3 Colchester

Leeds 4-0 Lincoln

Leicester 4-3 Macclesfield

MK Dons 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

Morecambe 2-0 Coventry

Northampton 2-0 Brighton

Norwich 4-1 Gillingham

Oxford united 6-1 Bristol Rovers

Peterborough 4-1 Rotherham

Plymouth 0-1 Notts County

QPR 1-3 Port Vale

Scunthorpe 2-1 Oldham

Sheffield Wed 1-0 Bury

Shrewsbury 4-3 Charlton

Southampton 2-0 Bournemouth

Southend 3-2 Bristol City

Stockport 0-5 Preston

Swansea 3-0 Barnet

Swindon 1-2 Leyton Orient

Walsall 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

Wycombe 1-2 Millwall

Yeovil 0-1 Crystal Palace

Stevenage 1-2 Portsmouth

Second Round 2010/2011

Accrington v Newcastle

Portsmouth v Crystal Palace

Leeds v Leicester

Wolves v Southend

Blackburn v Norwich

MK Dons v Blackpool

Tranmere Rovers v Swansea

Everton v Huddersfield

Peterborough v Cardiff

Reading v Northampton

Scunthorpe v Sheffield Wednesday

Brentford v Hull

Sunderland v Colchester

Leyton Orient v West Bromwich

Morecambe v Burnley

Birmingham v Rochdale

Crewe v Ipswich

Watford v Notts County

West Ham v Oxford

Southampton v Bolton

Bradford v Preston

Fulham v Port Vale

Millwall v Middlesbrough

Stoke v Shrewsbury

Hartlepool v Wigan

All the Rounds of the Carling Cup
Round 1 week commencing 9th August 2010
Round 2 week commencing 23rd August 2010
Round 3 week commencing 20th September 2010
Round 4 week commencing 25th October 2010
Round 5 week commencing 29th November and 6 December 2010
Semi Final 1 week commencing 10th January 2011
Semi Final 2 week commencing 24th January 2011
Final Sunday 27th February 2011 (Wembley Stadium) 

 

Premiership Season 2010/1

Arsenal

Arsenal have not won anything since 2005 and that was the F.A cup.  This is the last year on 61 years old Arsene Wengers contract which he is hoping to increase until he is 65.  They have kept Cesc Fabregas for another year and have added striker Marouane Chamakh and defender Laurent Koscienly.  Arsene Wenger is still looking for a goalkeeper and this may well be what Arsenal need if they are to go near the title.

Arsenal play Liverpool

Aston Villa

With the loss of their manager and one of their best players in James Milner, it looks bleak at Aston Villa.  It really does depend on which new manager arrives and what transfer money he has to spend, and its only four days before the new season starts.

Aston Villa play West Ham

Birmingham

They had an excellent season last year and credit must go to goalkeeper Joe Hart who has now signed for Manchester City.  Ben Foster replaces him and he will be hoping to prove himself here.  They have bought Niko Zigic who is a very tall striker from Serbia.

Birmingham are away to Sunderland

Blackburn Rovers

Boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed he is still looking to strengthen his squad after completing a loan for Mame Biram Diouf from Manchester United.  A small squad with some good players

Blackburn Rovers play Everton

Blackpool

It is nice to see Ian Hollways team come back into top flight premiership since 1971.  They are a very small team, and what we saw in the play offs an attacking side that will not give up.

Blackpool away to Wigan Athletic

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton and Owen Coyle do not have the luxury of a big budget, but they have drafted in four new faces who have vast experience and who have graced the premiership before.  Like other teams in the premiership they do not have the problem of squad size and the home-grown rule.

Bolton Wanderers play Fulham

Chelsea

Chelsea have been in poor form in the pre-season friendlies, but they still had players on an extended break.  Ancelotti is not worried about this and thinks his side will be fresh for another glorious season.

Chelsea play West Bromich Albion

Everton

They have had some good pre-season friendlies to build up to the new season.  This year transfers and injuries have not been a problem.  Defender Phil Jagielka returns and Mikel Arteta confirmed he is staying with the club.  This side has grown throughout the years and their aim of Europe and top flight in the premiership must be very close.

Everton are away to Blackburn

Fulham

The end of Roy Hodgson and the begining of new manager Mark Hughes.  Mark Hughes has never been a bad boss, he has proved he can do well with no money.  Fulham have star players in Clint Dempsey, Mark Schwarzer and Danny Murphy.

Fulham are away to Bolton Wanderers

Liverpool

In comes Roy Hodgson from a departing Rafa Benitez.  Roy has managed to keep Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, with Joe Cole coming in from Chelsea.  The team should look more settled and the players will know were they stand.

Liverpool play Arsenal

Manchester City

The team need to gel from the start with the fantastic players in this team.  They have two star goalkeepers and a  midfield you would put in your top world cup team.  If  Carlos Tevez can pick up from were he left it last season, Manchester City may end up above their Manchester rivals.  It will be up to Roberto Mancini keeping his players happy.

Manchester City away to Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United

It may well be the final season for Alex Ferguson and he and his team will be wanting this title.  Manchester United looked excellent in the Charity Sheild and striker Javier Hernandez will be the one to match above Wayne Rooney.  So many fantastic players here.

Manchester United play Newcastle United

Newcastle United

After a one year spell in the championship in which they took the top place at a canter.  Newcastle and their tremendous supporters will be happy that they are now a more settled side on and off the pitch.

Newcastle United away to Manchester United

Stoke City

Teams playing Stoke City last year may have fancied the three points each time, they were a hard side to beat.  This year though I think teams will be aware of the tactics they use.

Stock City away to Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tottenham Hotspur

Will the champions league distract Harry Redknapps team and the premiership title.  Harry believes the side will have some silverware this year.

Tottenham Hotspur play Manchester City

West Bromwich Albion

Roberto Di Mateo has made five summer signings as the Baggies prepare for a new season back into the premiership.

West Bromwich Albion are away to Chelsea

West Ham United

A new manager in Avram Grant, he kept the players in harmony at the troubled Portsmouth.  West Ham United have a young side with good players in Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Mathew Upson.

West Ham United are away to Aston villa

Wigan Athletic

Wigan must stop the huge losses they received last year, they also had some shocked wins.  So the team needs to find consistency and hopefully Roberto Martinez can keep them in the Premiership.

Wigan play Blackpool

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Up from the championship, Mick McCarthy is still having to sell players before he buys.  He is expecting more from the in and out player Ebanks-Blake, as he shows promise in the pre-season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers play Stoke City

Championship Season 2010/1

 

Norwich City and Watford get the new domestic season underway with an intriguing clash at Carrow Road.  It can also be seen live on Sky Sports TV.  Norwich City gained promotion to the Championship after being crowned champions of League one last season, and tonight they tackle a Watford side at Carrow Road who struggled last season.

Burnley who were demoted from the top-flight last season, travel to Nottingham Forest.   Burnley are being tipped to gain automatic promotion.

Portsmouth boosted by the High Court’s ruling yesterday, are in action versus Coventry City  following the Portsmouth relegation from the Premier League,  Steve Cotterill prepares for his first game in charge of the South Coast side.

Middlesbrough who are the bookmakers’ favourites to achieve promotion this season, lock horns with Roy Keane’s Ipswich, who will be hoping for a more successful season.

Nigel Pearson will make his bow as Hull City boss when the Tigers face Swansea City at the KC Stadium.  Hull City as aim to go one place better than last campaign by securing a play-off berth.

Queens Park Rangers begin their campaign at Loftus Road against Barnsley, who wont to forget the 5-2 thumping  in the same fixture last year.

Goalkeeper David James is poised to make his debut for Bristol City after joining the club from Portsmouth.  The Robins take on Millwall at Ashton gate.

Crystal Palace go head-to-head with Leicester City at Selhurst Park.  Palace who had points deducted last season came dangerously close to the drop last term while the Foxes were beaten on penalties in the play-off semi-finals.

Preston North End kick off their season against Doncaster Rovers at Deepdale while Scunthorpe, who are considered the bookmakers favourites for relegation, meet Reading.

A Saturday evening kick-off, for newly promoted Leeds United host Derby County at Elland Road, Leeds are considered contenders for a top-six finish. 

The weekend’s action is concluded on Sunday when Cardiff City meet Sheffield United, also live on Sky Sports TV.

 

Premiership Transfer News

It is now transfer time, which had started on the 1st July and will be ending at midnight on 31st of August, so lets see what has happened so far with all the Premier league sides.

Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny aged 24 is a defender who has signed for an undisclosed figure from the French side Lorient.

Aston Villa

Have not yet bought any players but Wilfred Bouma leaves the club on a free transfer.

Birmingham

In comes Serbian Nikola Zigic, a striker from Valencia, he has joined with an undisclosed figure.  The same as goalkeeper Ben Foster, he is hoping that he can settle with Birmingham after a disappointing two years with Manchester United.  He has not been able to show his potential as a full time player.  Also in is midfielder Enric Vallas who is a free transfer from NAC Breda, the dutch side. 

Blackburn Rovers

No new players but Andy Haworth, Steven Reid and Marcus Marshall leave the club on free transfers.

Blackburn play Everton

Blackpool

No new players here, but Daniel Nardiello, Joe Martin, Alhassan Banqura, Hameur Bouazza, Danny Mitchley and Ben Burgess all leave the club with free transfers.

Blackpool away to Wigan

Bolton

Robbie Blake is a striker and a free transfer from Burnley.  The Burnley boss Brian Laws was hoping he could tempt Robbie Blake to stay at Burnley but the contract was not right.

Chelsea

Attacking midfielder Yossi Benayoun comes in with a undisclosed figure from Liverpool.  Micheal Ballack has left the club to go to play at Bayer Leverkussen on a free transfer.

Everton

Striker Jermaine Beckford 26, comes to Everton on a free transfer from Leeds United.  Also bought is striker Magaye Gueye and defender Joa Silva.

Fulham

Philippe Senderos signs a 3 year contract on a free transfer after having loan spells with A.C Milan and Everton.

Liverpool

The serbian striker Milan Jovanovic is a free transfer from Standard Liege, signed for Liverpool on the 8th July.

Manchester City

In comes highly rated midfielder Yaya Toure, also spanish midfielder David Silva from Valencia and defender Jerome Boateng 19, from Hamburg.  All with undisclosed figures.

Manchester United

20 year old defender Chris Smalling comes from Fulham with an undisclosed figure.  Also, very highly rated striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Newcastle United

James Perch, the defender has joined the magpies from Nottingham Forest with an undisclosed fee.

Stoke City

The young Belguim midfielder Florent Cuvelier has joined City from Portsmouth.

Sunderland

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has signed for the Black Cats for an undisclosed figure, they have also signed Paraguay midfielder Christian Riveros from Cruz Azul.

Tottenham Hotspur

No signings but out goes goalkeeper Lee Butcher to Leyton Orient and defender Dorlan Dervite to Villareal.

West Bromich Albion

In comes midfielder Steven Reid from Blackburn Rovers, defender Pablo Ibanez from Atletico Madrid and Gabriel Tamas a 26 year old defender from french ligue1  Auxerre.

West Ham United

31 year old striker Frederic Piquionne joins the hammers from Lyon.   Also, mexican highly rated midfielder Pablo Barrera came from the Universided Nacional for £4 million.  Thomas Hitzlsperger a midfielder has come on a free transfer from Lazio.

Wigan Athletic

Mauro Boselli is a utility player bought for £6.5 million from Estudiantes.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Have had six players leaving the club and signing four players.  Midfielder, Steven Hunt from Hull City, defender, Steven Mouyokolo also from Hull City, striker, Steven Fletcher from Burnley and defender, Jelle Van Damme from Anderlecht.

Gossip News

Liverpool want Joe Cole, Arsenal bid for Jagielka, Tottenham Hotspur focus on Bellamy, Wigan are hoping to sign Franco Di Santo, Blackpool are bidding for Derby County striker Rob Hulse.

And still 12 days to go.

World cup news

Netherlands v Uruguay

The Dutch are heavy favourites to reach the final on Sunday, but they have to face a very dangerous team in Uruguay.  Holland, although successful have not been playing the flowing style football that we are used to seeing from this country.  They must keep a level head if they are to beat Uruguay.  The South Americans booked a semi final after a dramatic penalty shoot out with Ghana, the Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is angry that his side has been branded cheats when striker Luis Suarez handled on the goaline and will now miss this clash. Unfortunatley, Asamoah Gyan failed to convert the penalty. I wonder whether in circumstances like these that Ghana should have been awarded a penalty goal, like the penalty try you sometimes see used in rugby union.

Germany and Spain

A triumph against England was followed up by a runthless 4-0 thrashing of Argentina, and now Germany clash with Spain on Wednesday in a confident mood.  In both games the better team beat the better players, Germany are a good team with a good trainer and are always ready to take on any team.  Germany will probably have to control the amount of freedom that  midfielders duo Xavi and Iniesta who play at Barcelona will almost certainly demand.  They need to put them under pressure the in the same way that they dealt with Messi.  This may well be the key to the match.  The Spanish secured an unconvincing 1-0 win against a defensive Paraguay side, its the type of tactics the Spanish find hard to play against.  A team that comes at them in an attacking style is much prefered

A brief history of soccer.

So many cultures have a game similar to soccer, that is very difficult to actually say when the game first originated.  At least 3000 years ago, there was a ball being kicked around in a field somewhere.  Not sure however that there would have been many similarities to the modern game.

The Chinese kicked a hair filled ball around in 50 B.C. It is known that China had a match against Japan around this time.  The consequences of losing may have been somewhat more severe than they are today.

The Romans play the game that had links to modern football, but there were some major differences. Each team consisted of 27 players.  I can only imagine that the pitch must have been considerably longer than today.  Apparently this version of the game was so violent that often more than two thirds of the participants would end up hospitalised.

It was not until the 1800s that something resembling the modern game took shape.  In northern England, whole villages or towns would regularly take on each other.  These were often violent affairs as well.

The earliest set of rules can be found to be originating from Eaton college in 1815.  At this point modern soccer appears to be born.

It still had much more in common with the Rugby than the football that we see today.  Carrying the ball would have been allowed.  As would the tripping and kicking of opponents.  It was not until 1863 that split was made.  Rugby and football were now different games.  Six years later the separation was finally made permanent when football rules forbade any handling of the ball whatsoever.

After only eight years the football Association had grown to 50 clubs.  The FA Cup was born this year, astonishingly it was another 17 years before a league formed.

Today soccer is practised and watched by every continent in the world.  Players today can earn a fortune.  With huge TV contracts and massive support the marketing and business world has taken over.  The face of the game has changed forever, but support for the modern game continues to grow year after year.

Soccer training tips