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Unique 65th birthday gift gives voice to a winning soccer team

October 14, 2009

When varsity soccer coach Ronnie Walker bid farewell to his seniors at his team’s end of year award celebration, it also happened to be his 65th birthday. On that memorable day, he received a surprise 65th birthday group gift that was far more meaningful than any soccer trophy his players or fellow coaches could ever give him. He received a keepsake CD filled with the voices of his colleagues, his graduating players, and their parents, expressing their thanks and warm wishes. The recordings ranged from funny to sentimental, and demonstrated to him what he had meant to the Fighting Tigers.

“I go out there and urge my players to make me proud every day. I’ve always focused on the players, and when they gave me this gift I saw how much my philosophy meant to them personally”.

The players and their parents wanted to give the coach a personalized present that was very personal. However, with hectic schedules, the players and their parents knew that the group gift would have to be simple for everyone to contribute to.

The Keepsake CD the coach received is called LifeOnRecord.

Team mom, Samantha King, got the idea when her husband gave her a LifeOnRecord CD as a unique birthday gift.

The process is simple: friends and family call a toll-free number and are directed to record a favorite memory, story or wish. There’s no limit on the number of callers that can phone-in or on the total number of recordings you receive. The recordings can be downloaded for free using iTunes so that you can make your own compact disc, or LifeOnRecord can create a keepsake CD with a personalized label and metal case. An unlimited plan with free download capability into iTunes costs $49.99, or an unlimited plan with a keepsake CD costs $74.98.

It is a unique, affordable service that allows you to create a highly personal gift with ease.

“These young men mean a lot to me, and this is the perfect way for me to remember them and their impact after my coaching days are over. The mom who organized and put this together is my hero”.

If you’d like to be a hero to your loved one, you can purchase LifeOnRecord and give them a unique birthday.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

The Basics And The Beauty Of Soccer

October 12, 2009

All parents want their children to learn the social skills required to survive in today’s society. They want their children to learn discipline, respect, sharing and the art of making new friends. In addition to developing mental strength, parents also want their children to be strong and healthy.

So, what’s the answer? Soccer! Soccer allows children and teenagers to develop social skills, have fun and stay fit, all at the same time.

Despite it being the most played game in the world though, many people, especially those in the U.S. are unsure how to play it. Don’t worry though, you can quickly learn the basics of it.

Soccer is a game of two forty-five minute halves. Kicking the ball into the goal of the opposing team as many times as possible within this time limit is the objective of both teams.

The team with the most goals as the end of the match is declared the winner. The match is a draw if the teams have scored an equal amount of goals or if both teams fail to score. If a draw occurs, a penalty shootout may take place, which involves each team having 5 shots at goal and the team scoring the most from those shots being declared the winner.

There are eleven players on each team. One of these eleven is given the role of goalkeeper and they must try to stop the ball passing over their teams goal line.

The goalkeeper is the only player who can use his hands to touch the ball, all the other players commit a foul if they do this. The role of the other other ten players on the team is dependent on the particular approach decided upon by the coach of the team.

Aside from the goalkeeper, a soccer team consists of defenders, midfielders and strikers. The defenders station themselves in front of their goal and, as the name suggests, protect and defend their goal and goalkeeper.

The midfielders are the link between the defenders and the strikers. They operate in the middle of the park and conduct the pace and tempo of the game. They offer support to the defenders while supplying the service to the strikers.

The forwards also known as the strikers are given the job of scoring goals. These players make up the offensive side of the field. The strikers predominately take the most shots and score the most goals. Most soccer parents want their child to be a striker because this position gets the most attention and recognition.

There’s no need to worry about the cost of soccer either as the only thing that is needed to play is a ball. There will already be regular games taken place in your local area and you should be able to easily find out where they are taking place by asking the sports teacher at your child’s school.

Soccer is fast becoming a mass phenomenon with the soccer community growing exponentially with no end in sight. Will you be a part of the ride? You may even have the next David Beckham without yet knowing it!

More : Kids Soccer

 

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

Do you agree with these top 20 American sports?

October 11, 2009

Ok the top 5 are a definite yes, but do you agree with the rest of these?

  1. American Football – This may be the obvious one but its true.
  2. Baseball – This is sometimes referred to as the number one sport, but American football gets more subscribers.
  3. Basketball – Most famous in America but played all over the world by almost half a billion people.
  4. Hockey – A great Sport in America, but bigger in other countries, it is still huge.
  5. Golf – Really let go for everyone, many thanks to Tiger Woods for making Golf even more famous.
  6. Wrestling – One of the highest viewed programs on American TV.
  7. Tennis – Not really an American Past Time, but definitely a well respected sport.
  8. Skateboarding – This really wouldn’t have stood much of a chance at getting anywhere if it wasn’t for America.
  9. Surfing – Although the Australians claim this, America brought this to life.
  10. Ice Skating – Many famous names have come out of this sport including; Jennifer Kirk – stunning.
  11. Boxing – This has become one of the most money spinning sports in America, but famous in Britain as well.
  12. Soccer – Slowly becoming a big sport, with names like David Beckham coming in.
  13. Archery – you may not have thought of this one, but Americans do perform very well.
  14. Volleyball – Great fun for everyone, especially those watching.
  15. Cycling – This has always been a strong sport, but has never really grasped the nation.
  16. Track and Field – Up until recently the Americans have completely dominated Track and Field events at the Olympics.
  17. Horse Racing – This may be a British Sport, but the Americans have taken it to a new level.
  18. Rock Climbing – The Americans have really taken to this, and they do have some of the best possible scenery for it.
  19. Extreme Sports – The kind of sports where you know that you could die.
  20. Auto Racing – This is hard to Rank, but it is different from State to State.

Are these the sports you would have suggested? What do you think of the top 5? What a great way to find out – try Las Vegas holidays or New York holidays to really find out

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

The Secret That Could Change Your Soccer

October 9, 2009

Soccer, also known as football in some parts of the world is one of the most demanding sports in the world. Don’t let the beauty of the game fool you.

A player is required to jog, sprint, twist, turn, jump and at times run backwards. The leg muscles must be primed for the ninety minutes of action.

Fitness and physical conditioning play a big part in your overall soccer performance. Think about nutrition? Do you think nutrition is directly proportional to your performance?

Nutrition is a significant aspect of soccer. Without proper nutrition, the body cannot achieve peak performance and the body will take longer to recover. So what is proper soccer nutrition?

Soccer nutrition must be able to supply the body with enough energy to compete for ninety minutes. Carbohydrates are the best source of energy. All other foods such as fats and proteins require too much ingestion, making them less efficient and not available during peak energy usage.

Carbohydrates should be the key ingredients in any soccer diet. Carbohydrates get converted to glucose, fructose and galactose, which are simple sugars that the body can quickly absorb for energy.

The benefit comes from the conversion of glycogen to glucose which is a quick source of energy. Glycogen is stored in muscles and in the liver and is a quick source of energy when the body requires it. Having surplus stores of glycogen in your muscles is like having an unfair advantage. glycogen is like wind to a sail. The more petrol you have, the greater distance you can travel.

Most professionals load up on carbohydrates before a match to replenish their glycogen levels. Carbohydrates exists in two forms, simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates are the sugars you find in fruit, lollies and energy drinks. Complex carbohydrates can be found in potatoes, pasta, bread and cereals. Complex carbohydrates are broken down slowly and can be kept in the muscles and stored in the liver for later use. Carbohydrates are the ingredients of every champion.

Upon completion of a match, its a good idea to replenish your depleted glycogen levels by eating a well balanced diet of carbohydrates. This will increase your recovery time and prepare your muscles for the next training session.

Any soccer diet would be incomplete without carbohydrates. Make sure to eat enough carbohydrates to maintain your glycogen levels and to give you every chance of performing at your peak.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

Coaching Youth Soccer – Top 8 Common Mistakes

October 3, 2009

Youth Soccer Coaching Tips

Coaching Youth Soccer can be exciting and fun but there are important aspects every coach needs to take into consideration. Here’s a list of some of these important guidelines that can help you in many different ways:

1. Don’t make speeches. This is particulary important if you coach young players and have the habit of making long lectures during your training sessions. No matter how old your players are, be short and sweet in whatever you have to say to them.

2. Don’t complicate things. When coaching a soccer exercise you should try to keep it as simple as possible. People have problems in implementing complecated things. You can test this by showing the kids a complicated soccer diagram of a drill with fancy arrows and dozens of instructions, you’ll lose their interest.

3. Don’t be a ball boy- it’s not the coach’s job to run after runaway balls during soccer practice. Make your players go run and get the balls that they shoot out of the field. You can even make it a rule that if they score they don’t have to catch it anymore for that day.

4. Do you have kids helping with getting the balls? If that’s the case, don’t let them join the training session. This simply signals a laxity in discipline- ball boys are just there to get the ball. If they ask to be part of the practice session, make them know that they can’t do both.

5. Never, ever criticize the player. One of your players missed a goal? or a decisive pass? Don’t blame them. Point out the flaws in their technique or skill and do that calmly. Screaming at a player for being ‘stupid’ is a great way to make them want to leave your team.

6. While Coaching Youth Soccer, explain it clearly and as briefly as possible. Then demonstrate it- your players will pick it up quickly if they see how it’s done. Conversely, don’t try and demonstrate something that you can’t do.

7. Health and safety should always be foremost in a coach’s mind. This means making sure that the ground and the equipment are in good shape before your soccer training session starts. Remember that if a kid sprains his ankle because the ground was slippery, then it’s technically your fault.

8. Don’t leave the parents out in the dark. Meet with parents regularly and always keep them up-to-date when it comes to the team’s problems and challenges. Keep in your mind that parents can always help you improve your coaching activities.

When Coaching Youth Soccer, these are important aspects that every coach should consider. You can discover how to improve the soccer skills of your players really fast and make training more fun and exciting at SoccerDrillsTips . com.

About The Author:

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching. If you want to learn how to explode your players’ skills and make practice more fun and interesting, get your free Soccer Coaching guide at http://www.soccerdrillstips.com – Coaching Youth Soccer Drills

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Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

Soccer Drills and Fun

October 3, 2009

Coaching youth players can be the most frustrating experience or it can be bliss. When young players misbehave chances are your soccer drills are too easy or possibly a little too advanced.

In order for your team to train and listen, the drills need to be physically demanding and keep all the players involved. The drills need to be short and performed at a pace that involves the whole group.

If you notice your team misbehaving the drills might be too easy and it’s a good indication that the players are bored. On the other hand, if the drills are too advanced, the players will surrender and start to play up. As a coach you must remember that young kids attention spans are very short and they need to be stimulated to keep them from misbehaving.

Soccer drills are a great way to combat this problem during training. Drills allow you to develop one or two aspects of the game at once. For example, simple passing drills allow the players to practice passing the ball and receiving the ball while having fun. If the drills are executed properly, the players will not even realise their training a certain aspect of the game. They will mistake it for having fun.

Watching soccer drills is also a great way to monitor your players. Analysing the drills and players performance is a great way to identify player’s strengths and weaknesses.

The most important aspect of soccer drills is teaching the players certain skills. Always demonstrate the drills with a live demonstration. If you can't demonstrate the exercise, how do you expect the kids to?

Also the training ground should be set up before the kids arrive. Training sessions must flow from one exercise to another. The last thing you want on your hands are ten young kids waiting for you with every opportunity to misbehave.

Last but not least, encourage all players while performing the drills. Cheer good movement while correcting errors with friendly advice.

Training sessions constructed around soccer drills benefit the players the most. What better way to teach your players the basics of the soccer? Incorporate fun into the drills and you never know you might unearth tomorrow’s superstar.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

Dr Bates and Vision Improvement – The Natural Way

October 2, 2009

better eyesight

Dr Bates championed vision improvement and devised many different techniques which he claimed improved a patient’s eyesight. He claimed that strain on the eyes to see was infinite, and he devised a method of relieving the strain to improve vision.

He particularly explained that a set approach would not work for everyone, and so Dr. Bates became a well known alternative therapist. This is still widely practiced today.

He used techniques designed to dissociate strain and then achieve central seeing; which is the central point of vision omitting staring. He claimed that all errors of refraction and disturbances of function disappear when the eyes see by central fixation; and if there were any other associated conditions they too would be relieved. He also stated that exposing the eyes to sunlight would improve vision.

Medical associates have criticized Dr. Bates methodology and have stated what negative consequences could occur if patients followed the protocol; especially if their eyes are over exposed to sunlight. They also stated that it would be negligent to not wear corrective lenses while driving and would worsen or even cause serious implications to the eyes.

One of his techniques to vision improvement was closing the eyes which would help relax them; the patient would cover their eyes with their palms applying no pressure at all to the eyeballs. The theory behind this method was to eliminate light creating total relaxation of the eyes. Although some patients stated that they have illusions of light and colour; Bates claimed these would totally disappear when the eyes were relaxed.

The Bates Association for Vision Education are qualified professionals that teach the Bates method for vision improvement. The teachers mostly work with children, but offer individual lessons to adults.

Workshops and lectures centered around perfect vision . Training is offered on an ongoing basis. Pupils are taught how to improve their eyesight without having corrective surgery; as well as teaching how to increase the chances of eliminating degenerative eye disease. Black lettering is used as well as the swing method to help correct vision.

It is debatable as to whether these eye therapy methods really work; or maybe it is mind over matter and those that claim that there is improvement could be purely from "autosuggestion". Dr. Bates and vision improvement has no solid evidence of proof that this therapy actually works. However, many individuals claim that it does.

William B.B.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that this article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition including, but not limited to, vision problems. If you have or think you might have a vision problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

Simple Eye Exercises – Easy Tips to Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

October 2, 2009

eye correction

We are sure you know just how important it is to keep your body fit. We do this by jogging, swimming, biking and going to the gym. However, do you know how important it is to exercise your eyes for better vision as well? What? Did you just say that you never heard of eye exercises before? Honestly, there are simple eye exercises you can do that might help out. What do eye exercises do? Well, they may help to minimize eyestrain, improve eyesight and help to keep your eyes healthy. If you like the idea of keeping your eyes healthy, then continue reading the rest of this article to learn some simple exercises.

First of all, find a comfortable seat to engage in vision therapy. Rub your hands together until you have generated some warmth. Close your eyes and cover them with your palms. You should not put any pressure on your eyes. Make sure no light is entering the eyes. Imagine a deep area of blackness and concentrate on that blackness. Evenly and slowly start to take deep breaths as you are thinking of something happy. Begin to visualize a distant scene. When your eyes do not see anything but blackness, move your hands away from your eyes and repeat this.

For anywhere from three to five seconds, you should close your eyes tightly, then open them for another three to five seconds. Do this for about seven to eight times.

As you are sitting in a comfortable chair, roll your eyes clockwise, then roll them counter-clockwise. Do this five times and blink in between those times.

Sit in front of a window, put a mark on the window. This could be a small sticker that is either red or black. Look through that mark and then focus on something that is far around for about fifteen seconds. The,focus on that mark again. As you see, there are many simple eye exercises that you can do.

William B. B. is a pen name created to explore the world of natural vision improvement.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that this article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition including, but not limited to, vision problems. If you have or think you might have a vision problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

The History of Natural Vision Improvement

September 30, 2009

perfect vision

Maintaining good vision is very important, as much as 80% of the information you obtain from the world around you is received through your eyesight! The history of natural eye correction dates back to Dr. William Bated who was born in 1860 and died in 1931. He was a distinguished eye surgeon who was not happy with the fact that glasses were used as a standard for curing visual impairment.

Over the millennia our eyes have changed in keeping with the way we live our lives. Hunter, gatherers of the past used their eyes for both long distance and close examination at all times, for example looking into the distance in search of food or enemies, and in the next breath closely examining a berry filled bush. This kept the eye muscles agile which in turn allows for keen vision.

Times changed, particularly with the industrial revolution, and today people spend many hours immobile with their eyes fixed on a specific task. The eye muscles no longer receive the type of exercise they require to keep agile and many unnecessary eye problems occur.

Dr. Bates spent many years researching vision, he concluded that strain in the eyes was caused by mental strain or stress and poor lifestyle. This led to ocular dysfunction such as double vision, blurriness, sensitivity to light and other problems. He also spent time studying people with perfect sight and noted that the function of the eyes was different.

The outcome of his studies led him to treat his patients by teaching them to relax and also vision training. The outcome of this was that the visual brain and eyes were often restored to maximum potential.

His techniques have spread and are still used world-wide, many people have improved and regularly perfected their vision by means of his methods. He wrote a book for this purpose called "Better Eyesight without Glasses" which is published by Grafton Press.

Maybe natural vision improvement can help to improve the health of the eye. It is a holistic approach which includes simple exercises and habits which are key to maintaining and improving good eyesight. The majority of your vision occurs in the brain, these exercises help the brain to make more meaning of the visual world.

Author:  William B.B.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that this article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition including, but not limited to, vision problems. If you have or think you might have a vision problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

7 Key Aspects Of Soccer

September 30, 2009

 

Although Soccer is seen as a fun and easy sport to learn, the foundations of soccer can vary significantly. Soccer also known as football is a sport split into 2 halves of forty-five minutes. Each team defends its goals while trying to penetrate the opposing goal. The basics of the game are easy, two goals, a round object and legs that bend at the knees. Is there a better way to have fun.

For those that want to pursue a career in soccer will definitely need to master other aspects of the game. The game itself never changes but there are plenty of obstacles that will stop you from reaching your potential.

Can you tell what the foundations of soccer are?

Motivation - No one can train for you, can they? So pull up your sleeves and burn that elbow grease. Motivation is an important aspect of soccer and one that gets mentioned the least.

Training - In order to improve, you need to practice and train. You need to improve your levels of fitness and improve your physical strength.

Nutrition - You need to eat a healthy and well balanced diet that will allow your body to train at high intensities. You also need the right nutrients to aid in your recovery.

Soccer Drills - The best way to improve your passing, shooting and dribbling is through repetition. Soccer drills are ideal for practicing a technique through repetition and allow you to master certain aspects of the game. Remember to practice, practice, and practice.

Weight Training - In order to compete at your maximum for 90 minutes, you will need to condition your muscles for 90 minutes of sprinting, jogging, walking, changing directions and even running backwards. Lifting weights will definitely give you an advantage in the last 10 minutes of a game when your opponents start to tire.

Psychology - “Team Spirit” is probably the most underrated aspect of the game. Your soccer coach and team should always make you feel like a winner, not a loser, irrespective of the score line.

Your thoughts and what you talk about around your team mates affects your performance and plays a significant role in the levels of confidence you have. Remember to always feed yourself positive thoughts to maintain confidence and increase your levels of enjoyment.

Enjoyment & Fun - If you enjoy soccer and are having fun, chances are you’ll remain in the game. You have to participate and play the game in order to improve and development. This will inevitably give you every chance to play the game professionally

Written by admin · Filed Under Soccer 

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