Successful goals typically come from shots that have both pace and accuracy. How players approach
the ball when taking a shot can affect both of these parameters. Rushing a kick can result in a
shot that is both slow and less accurate. Slowing the approach can improve accuracy but reduce shot
velocity.
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There is little doubt that playing soccer directly affects one's heath. The amount of physical
activity and the emphasis on proper diet found in competitive soccer clearly reduces the risk and
incidence of health-related problems such as childhood obesity. It also seems that the benefits of
youth sports carry over to adulthood.
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One of the major problems facing female athletes is the risk of tearing their anterior cruciate
ligament. Non-contact ALC injuries occur in women at a rate 4-6 times that of males. In addition to
the personal costs, the financial costs of surgery and rehabilitation have been conservatively
estimated at $1.
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Exercising in the heat is always a difficult task. Hot environments place a tremendous demand on
the cardiovascular and thermoregulatory systems. This typically leads to decreased performance,
particularly in sports that last an hour or more. As a result, coaches and players are always
searching for new ways to perform in the heat.
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With the rise in popularity of youth soccer, concerns have been raised regarding safety. Studies
have suggested that elite soccer is associated with a high incidence and severity of injury. On the
other hand, as discussed on the Science of Soccer Online, soccer is an ideal activity for young
children to develop fitness and coordination.
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It is clear that a growing health concern in the US and many other countries is the increasing
incidence of obesity and related diseases. Over the past few years, the number of children and
adolescents who are classified as overweight and obese has increased dramatically. Unfortunately,
statistics show that these children will very likely grow up to be obese adults with a whole host
of associated
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By design soccer is an activity that promotes health and fitness. The amount of exercise performed
at practice and the emphasis on proper diet directly affects players' fitness and promotes a
lifestyle that influences health well into adulthood. A recent study now suggests that
participation in youth sports may have other, unanticipated effects that may lead to an overall
healthy lifestyle.
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The FIFA and the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) have recently developed a
website dedicated to "The 11+". The 11+ is a warm-up program developed for soccer players designed
to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries (for a discussion of The 11+, click here). The
website contains downloads such as posters and instruction cards as well as an collection of videos
showing
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At some point in their soccer careers, many American youth players dream of playing beyond their
high school days and joining a collegiate side. For some this becomes a reality. Each spring those
high school seniors sign their National Letter of Intent, solidifying a commitment to a college
program. Once the fall arrives, these new freshmen take the field and the next step in their
playing
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An article posted on the website, Scientific Blogging, describes a talk given by speaker and author
Dan Pink. A common belief is that extrinsic motivation in the form of rewards can improve
performance. However, scientific research shows that incentivising a problem-solving task may
stifle creativity and actually hinder the outcome.
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Part 2: Designing a ProgramThe NSCA's Position Statement on youth weight training argues that if
children are ready to participate in sports, they are ready to engage in some type of resistance
exercise. In Part 1, the safety and benefits of weight training were highlighted. Part 2 summarizes
of the authors' recommendations for designing a weight lifting program for young participants.
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Part 1: Safety & BenefitsThe number of young athletes who are lifting weights as part of their
training is steadily increasing. In past years, many discouraged weight training in children and
young adolescents. This stemmed, in part, from the fear of injury and adverse effects on growth and
development.
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One of the more hotly debated questions in soccer is why do female athletes suffer more ACL
injuries than males. Researchers have proposed a whole host of possible explanations ranging from
muscular strength to hormonal changes. For the first time, a preliminary study headed by
researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, has found a possible genetic link.
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On February 10, 2008, during a scoreless draw with Siena, AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, subbed in
Alberto Paloschi. Fifteen seconds later, on his first touch of the match, Paloschi scored the only
goal of the match. Many times matches hinge of the strategic use of substitute players. Coaches
typically make substitutions late in the match for two key reasons.
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