Soccer Moves by Soccer Greats!

The Elastico

This is a magnificent trick that can be seen by the great player Ronaldinho. This is a very difficult move to perfect, but once done, can become a huge threat on the field. The player starts to shift the ball to the outside of the body, and then at the last second the ball is pulled toward the inside of the body. This quick flick is the hardest part of the trick because that is what is needed to sell the trick. The move is one quick motion, and needs to be executed flawlessly to prove effective in a match situation. I found that performing the trick slowly is extremely beneficial to learning the move because it breaks it down into the proper steps for easier learning. If the player can sell the trick, the player can end up running around the defender and scoring an easy goal with this great move.

The Cryuff Turn

This is one of the simplest moves to perform, and could be perfected with either foot in about twenty minutes. It was created by the 70’s soccer player, Johann Cryuff. This move was great when I was playing soccer as a child and it still works great today. The player just approaches the soccer ball, pretends to hit the ball as hard as possible but instead the player pulls the ball to the opposite side of the body by moving the ball behind the standing leg. Most players will try and turn into the shot to attempt to block it but then they become off balance and are easily passed by the offensive player. The other outcome, that is usually more prevalent than the last, is that the player will jump in the air to try and stop the ball. Then the offensive player makes a quick move around the defender. Such a simple move that works wonders on the pitch.

Review Post

Soccer has been a dominant sport in Europe for many years. The selection of soccer players in the local area are pretty difficult to find because this sport in America is not as prevalent as it is in Europe. Those players that I do play soccer with on a regular basis usually play the video game FIFA 11 as well. This game has been improving every year for a while now. The feel for the game of soccer continuously improves with each new edition of the franchise. The most beneficial aspect of this game is the rules of the game that are followed. The people who actually play this game have a better understanding of the sport when they get out there on the pitch. It is mainly the obscure rules that they have a better understanding of once they play the game and then apply what they learned out on the field. The graphic have improved from the last installment of the series and the controls of the players are great. The passing of the game was greatly improved in the sense of timing of the passes. The goal keepers have improved from the last installment as well. It is harder for the players of the game to score on a lob shot that was very easy to do in the last version of the game. Heading the ball has become more controlled with the player that is receiving the pass to make the shot more direct and to the designated area that the player aimed for.

Analyze a Top Blog

There are many great soccer blogs available for the public on the internet. Many of the better ones that I have seen are a hodge-podge of many different soccer topics that can interest any reader on the internet. I was looking on the internet for a blog to review, and I stumbled upon the blog called soccer blogs. I believe that I wrote an article about this blog on the recommended readings article on the Illinois Soccer University website. I did not recall this nifty little widget that was on their site the last time I visited. I have noticed that blogs have a tendency to start to run long if there are too many blog posts on the page. Readers do not want to have to scan the entire page for the information that they are looking for, so this website has a widget that helps readers look at all the information on the page. It is a little pop-up screen on the bottom of the page that lists the other blog posts that are below the viewers screen at any given time. As the viewer scrolls down the screen, the widget continuously updates the information on what is again below the viewers screen so that individual does not have to guess as to where a particular blog post is located. If it is not at the bottom in the widget, then the viewer knows that it is on another page. The tabs on the blog are set in a way to categorize the leagues into different sections. This blog also has an impressive list of other blogs that are related to soccer. In general, this is a great soccer blog with many great features on the site.

Sneeze Post

I have done many posts on this blog now, and things have never been better for the Illinois Soccer University blogger site. Most of my posts have been references to different aspects of the game of soccer. This is a listing of what I consider to be the best of the Illinois Soccer University blogger site.

1.Practice Games: World Cup and Knockout
This blog post consists of how to play the popular practice games of Knockout and World Cup. Other games can be viewed on the Illinois Soccer University website in one of the article pages.

2.Beach Soccer
Beach Soccer is commonly linked to the aspects of indoor soccer with fewer players and a much smaller playing field. The players do not wear shoes while playing this version of soccer. Substitutions are unlimited in this version as well.

3.Away Goal Rule
I liked this post because of the incite that it provides this unique rule in the UEFA league. The post also discusses the area of aggregate scoring in soccer.

4.Bend It Like Beckham
This post references the "how to kick a soccer ball" at the Illinois Soccer University website in one of the article pages. The post describes the way a soccer ball travels in the air with curve on the ball. The physics on the ball is known as the Magnus Effect. This is what causes the spin on the soccer ball, and other objects that have spin in the air.

5.The Big Dive!
I enjoyed writing about this subject in soccer because it is the biggest pet peeve of mine. The area of diving needs to be addressed in this area of the game for the sport of soccer to improve. This post discusses the penalties for diving are much too lax for the players committing this foul act.

Shielding the Soccer Ball

As I watched a soccer match today, I realized how much the players use their body to shield the ball. I do not see this that much watching the MLS league, but it seems more apparent in the UEFA league. The UEFA league seems to pass the ball more than in the MLS league, where players in this league seem to make more individual runs and challenge players more. I experienced shielding of the ball more and more as I progressed in soccer. Shielding is a very important aspect of the game of soccer. Shielding involves the player in control of the ball positioning themselves between the ball and the opposing player to protect the ball. This is the first step in shielding the ball, the position between the ball and the opposition. Then there is the aspect of controlling the ball with the foot that is farthest from the opponent. The back foot should have most of the player’s weight to keep the player off of the ball. If the opponent comes around the other side, the defender of the ball should switch sides of their body. It is important to keep you head up to look for available options to put the ball. This technique is used a lot on defense where the ball is usually being played towards the net. If the pass has a bunch of pace on the ball, the defender usually can get in-between the ball and the strikers, to have the ball go out of bounds. I usually notice this because I have this done to me on the pitch when playing the forward position.

Soccer Jerseys

Soccer jerseys are a great way to look and feel like a professional soccer player. I have many soccer jerseys, and I can say that they are much more comfortable that playing in a t-shirt. The materials that Adidas makes are able to breathe when the player wears it, and it does so far superiorly to that of a shirt. I have purchased all of my soccer jerseys on the internet and most of them from eBay. The selection that eBay has to offer is enough for almost any fan of soccer. If a person is looking for the real jerseys that the players wear, the best place to go would be the official site of that organization and it will cost you a premium on top of everything else. The replicas that Adidas makes are high quality as to say that I have not had any of the lettering on any of my jerseys, other than one that was purchased used, that have come off of the jersey. The one that did come off was due to improper cleaning techniques that I used in caring for the product. I would generally look at the pictures of the listings for these jerseys to make sure that they look authentic. The Adidas brand jerseys, for soccer replica jerseys, all have a tag on the bottom that is unique to the product line. That is a good indication that the product is authentic and not a knock-off. If the price seems too good to be true, then it usually is too good to be true.

Trapping a Soccer Ball

If you ask any soccer player about passing soccer ball, they will probably tell you that it is one of the most important aspects of the game. I would agree with them, but I would also add that trapping the ball is a close second place. Trapping the ball is one of the easiest areas that a player can work on. I would say that it is the best way to help a player in the game of soccer, because the first touch that a player has on the ball is often the best way to keep possession of the ball. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the ball being given up on a poor trap by the player. One of the easiest ways to practice this by a player is to hit the ball against the wall. When the ball comes back to you, trap the ball with your foot and then repeat. Also try trapping the ball with the chest by kicking the ball into the air and controlling it with the chest. The thigh is another place that the ball is usually trapped when the ball is in the air but is too low to control with the chest. A ball that is bouncing a lot will require a judgment of where the ball where land next and then hitting the ball with the side of the foot to control the ball. By becoming an expert in trapping the ball, you will see better plays developing on the pitch.

Passing the Soccer Ball

Passing a soccer ball is one of the most important areas that a soccer player can utilize. If you ever view a professional soccer game, they pass the ball like it is on fire and no one wants to hold onto it for that long. It is obvious that better teams pass the ball more and are usually better towards the later parts of the game when the other team is too tired to compete at the level that they were at in the beginning of the game. Good passes eliminates the need for wasted energy on the pitch, especially when the game is nearing the end when plays need to be executed. The basic passing is done with the inside of the foot and sometimes with the outside. The inside of the foot pass uses the inside arch of the foot and should be struck in the middle of the ball. If it is hit on the bottom, that ball might travel through the air and be a less accurate pass. The hips should rotate a little and the player should follow through with the shot the same way a golfer finishes a swing. If the body is leaning forward, the player will be more likely to keep the ball on the ground. The outside of the foot pass is usually done when the player is on the move and wants to move the ball to the other players while continuing the run. This is usually done by using the lower half of the leg, but for added distance the player can take a full swing on the ball.

How to juggle a soccer ball

Soccer ball juggling is a great way to get a feel for the ball. The practical applications on the field are very limiting for a juggling expert. Juggling the ball will be a great way to attain better balance for the player. The best way to start juggling is to kick the ball with the dominant foot to begin with. Having the ball bounce in-between kick is a good way to get the timing of the kicks down. Once that is done, then the player should increase the number of kicks in the air before the ball hits the ground. The player should keep the kick to one foot at a time. If the player is able to become proficient in this area, then the player should start switching between the dominant foot and the non-dominant foot. This will aid in the players ability to stand in one area for a very long time. The next step that a player can take is learning how to start the ball off the ground with their feet. The ball should be pulled back with the dominant foot and then scooped up in the air. The way that most players do this is then kicking it with that dominant foot again and then alternating between feet. I have learned how to catch the ball with my dominant foot and stall it between my ankle and shin. I have been having some trouble with my other foot in this area because of the balance that it takes to do this move.

Corner Kick

I have always liked taking corner kicks when playing soccer. I am not the tallest player on the field, so I feel that my kicking and placement abilities far outweigh my ability to score on a corner kick. I do however only like to kick on the right side of the field because I am a left footed kicker; therefore I have a better chance of curving it towards the net. I was playing a pick-up game a few weeks ago where I curved the ball enough to where I scored without the aid of the other players, though this was not my intention when kicking the corner kick. Corners can be taken in really only about two ways. The first being the kick toward the net into the goal box, and the other being a short pass to a teammate. The shorter pass usually allows for the offense to increase the angle of the shot on goal. This was best seen with the controversial call on the Manchester United vs. Chelsea game in the 08-09 season. One of the players, Wayne Rooney went to the corner and acted like he was going to kick the ball. He put the ball on the corner circle any gentle touched it to the outside of the circle with his foot, essentially taking the kick. Another teammate then took the ball and passed it to the center, resulting in a goal. The player who headed the ball in was not awarded the goal because the play even tricked the line referee and was thus not called as a goal because a corner kick has to touch another player before it is touched by the initial corner kicker. Even though the corner kicker, Rooney, initiated the play, the referee did not see it so it was assumed that the other player touched the ball repetitively before it was touched by another player.

Nutmeg a player

It is always great seeing a player being megged or nutmeg as it is referred to. A nutmeg is simply playing the ball between the defenders or opponents legs and continuing towards the designated target. It is a simple move but it is a great spectacle when it is successful. I do not like to perform this move that much because if the player commits to the move the risk of failure can be devastating to the team. There are much better moves that can be performed to achieve the same results. The shock to the crowd or other player may not be as great with a different move, but the risk of losing the ball is less. The only time that I consider doing this move is when a player is off balance and rushing towards me. Another time that I try to utilize this move is going down the sidelines. If I fail to do the move properly there is a better chance that the ball will go off of the opponent’s legs and grant the team a throw-in. In general this is a last ditch effort to beat a defender for me, but it looks great when it is successful. It is great to do this when the opponent least expects it, and the player does not attempt the move too often so that the defender might expect it. Overall, this move is great to see but it is like the heel pass in that there are better options that can be used in its place to achieve the same results without the added risk.

Heading the ball

I am always surprised by the techniques that some soccer players use when playing soccer. Some are not even considered technique because they were just never taught the proper method of hitting the ball. The most prevalent is when a player does not know how to head the soccer ball. I have seen players head the ball on the very top of the head and even close their eyes which just make it harder to position the ball during a header. Properly heading the soccer ball will aid in possession of the ball and can help setup other plays when kicking the ball is not an option. To properly head the ball, the player must arch the back when the ball is traveling towards them. The key part to a header is to hit the ball with the forehead. Keeping a firm stance and having your feet spread apart will help make contact with the ball. Keeping the arms out when the ball approaches is a great way to keep your balance and to keep the other players away from the approaching ball. If the player needs to jump, the best time to hit the ball is at the apex of the jump. Striking the ball from the waist, moving the upper part of the body forward, with the neck and head moving at the same time will generate the most power in the header. Once this basic technique is developed, the player can begin to modify it to better help the team. I usually like to flick the oncoming ball off my head to a teammate to make the fastest transition possible. I am still working on the diving header, but it is taking a while to get down. Hope this helps with heading the ball.

Soccer Camp

I remember when I was a kid going to a few soccer camps during the summer. These camps helped us learn basic soccer moves and game play. There is a great soccer camp for those who a looking to gain an edge just before entering college. The website link is http://www.no1soccercamps.com/ . The two locations are in Georgia and in Connecticut, so it is somewhat difficult for anyone to use their services, but other types of programs are available closer to individuals that offer similar camps. The program is two weeks long and has many different drills that hone player’s skills to that level that college coaches are looking for. The camp is designed for strikers, but the other camp that is offered is a camp for goalies. In the camps, the two sessions come together to face off against the top strikers and the top goalies. One of the topics in the first week of the camp is called placement shooting. I have been working on this for the past semester and it has improved my striking abilities tremendously. There is no need to strike the ball with all your might when proper ball placement is much more effective. The camp also has a world cup tournament which I had talked about in a previous blog as a great way to practice soccer. In the second week the camp has a practice called “when in doubt…shoot”. This drill seems very valuable because shots on goal are always needed and wanted by any team.

Practice Games: World Cup and Knockout

Like most sports, practice is essential to becoming a better player. Playing soccer in scrimmages is my favorite way to practice because it shows what the player would be like during a regular game. There are many practice games that have a set focus that are very enjoyable to play, and most of these games do not require two full teams in order to play them. The first game can be played with a few players but the more the better. I know this game as knockout but others have different names for it. Each player in the game has a ball that they dribble around. There is a set grid that the players run around in to stay in play. Once the game start, the object is to keep your soccer ball within the grid for as long as you can while trying to kick the opponent’s balls out of the grid. Once there is one player remaining, the game is over and that solo player is the victor. This practice game focuses on ball control and defensive techniques. Another game that I play is called the World Cup. This version of soccer has many different rules but most are the same. There are teams, usually two per team, against a goalie with all the teams trying to score a goal. The game begins with a throw-in from the goalie, sometimes multiple balls are used. Then you and your partner try to score on the goalie before the other teams score and advance to the next round. The rounds end when there is a team left who gets knocked out. This continues until the last round with two teams against each other. Variations might require a set number of passes before being able to shoot; others require that the team shout out the name of the country they represent before shooting the ball.