Soccer – Want To Stay In Practice For Soccer? Hackies May Be Your Most Valuable Tool

September 2nd, 2010

When soccer isn’t in season, you need a way to keep your feet nimble and practiced. That’s hard to do in cold weather, and your parents aren’t about to let you kick a soccer ball around the house. So what’s a good way to maintain your skills while keeping things safely inside the house when the weather is cold?

It’s easy: Footbags. Also knows as hackies (which stems from “Hacky Sack,” the original trademarked name of the product), footbags can be a great way to keep your feet in shape and ready for soccer season. You might even try buying some soccer hackies — footbags that look like soccer balls — to keep your mind on the game.

Every pre-season you do a lot of conditioning, and then when the season starts you stop doing all intense-related work because you are afraid the players might get sore or tired during the in-season period. So when the season is over the players have a few weeks (months?) off from training, and then when they start the pre-season again, you start doing all the conditioning all over again.

I have seen this happen for the last 10 years and experienced it myself as a player. At the end of the pre-season, you feel like you  are unbeatable, but somewhere during the season you lose that feeling, and when the next pre-season starts again, it feels like you’re starting again from square one. I like to sum this up and give you my idea and explanation on how YOU should set it up. To sum it up, I’d like to quote Will Smith:

“If you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready”

With that being said, if you work on maintaining a good level of conditioning all year round you don’t have to build it back up when the pre-season starts again, you can either take it to the next level or plain and simple just work on what soccer really is all about – playing soccer!

My players have a really great level of conditioning and therefore I am able to really work on developing their ability to play soccer, and develop their ability to play it at a high speed and a high level.

Stall. Again, this is precisely what it sound like: You’re “stalling” the footbag with various parts of your body, in order to exert more control over it. Think of it as catching the bag with the inside or outside of your foot, or your toe. There’s also a move called a “clipper stall,” which is an inside stall made while your foot is behind the opposite leg.

Arm Stall. You might think this move is a bit odd, since it involves arms instead of feet and legs. But many of the best footbag artists use whatever body parts make for the best maneuvers. To initiate this move, it’s important to kick the footbag high enough that you can reach it with your elbow. Then catch the bag in the crook of your elbow, and immediately straighten your arm to “bump” the footbag back into the game.

For instance, let me give you one example of one of the absolute best drills to improve the players condition as well as their ability to make good decisions during a soccer game:

= Small-Sided Games

The variations are endless, and by making a few small adjustments, you make these drills so intense and demanding that it’s insane.

At the end of a game when the players are tired, the team where the players can make the best decisions is the team that will win the game. Sure, you may be able to run a mile at a pretty decent time, but that’s got nothing to do with soccer.

Over-and-Under. This is the most advanced move on this list, and can take weeks to learn, even if you’ve mastered the more basic moves presented here. First, kick the ball into play from a toe stall. Then twirl the kicking foot around your other leg and catch the ball in an inside stall. Then toss it back into play and keep going

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Benefits Of Having The Internet During The World Cup

September 1st, 2010

Spain vs Germany 2010

After watching last nights long awaited world cup semi final between the current european champions Spain and the impressive, high goal scoring Germany, which I must say was a very tense match especially as I was watching it with a spaniard who was endlessly shouting at the television thinking he was really there in the staduim.

 

During the half time break I couldn’t help but notice how many tv adverts have got behind marketing the World Cup, and how they have used internet as a key tool for fans throughout the world, offering services such match replays, up to date facts and figures of the tournament so far. I even joined an online forum to discuss my own views and who I thought would win the competition.

 

The world cup in South Africa has been such a hit and boost for the countries economy, especially due to the large increase in tourism during the football.

 

So many online business have made a success throughout the time of the World Cup in South Africa, not only through travel and football merchandise but common accessories such as those noisy trumpets they call a vuvuzela which i saw for sale in my village shop, i didnt buy one as i intend on keeping my friends!

 

I had a friend who flew down to Durban to visit his mother and watch the Spain vs Switzerland game during his visit, I did mention to him that from what I saw on the television it was the most spectacular stadium I had ever seen, more so than I have ever seen over here in the U.K.

Talking to a friend after the match who works for a company who specialise in Ecommerce website design he was sure that the Netherlands were going to win the final.

 

Some of the football sites also have some fantastic web design too!

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Explore The Excellent Feature Of World Cup 2010 Ball

September 1st, 2010

Jabulani Ball

Jabulani means to celebrate in Zulu, one of the 11 languages of South Africa, and the design of the Jabulani has 11 colors to honor those 11 communities and 11 languages of South Africa, and the 11 players on a team.

Jabulani Constructed with spherically shaped, eight new thermally bonded, 3 D EVA and TPU panels, the Jabulani is perfectly round and has been equipped with a new Grip’n'Groove technology. Grip’n'Groove is a textured treatment that ensures the Jabulani flies straight and true. The Jabulani is build for never seen power, swerve and control before. It is a ball very worthy of the best in the game.

The ball is constructed using a new design, consisting of eight (down from 14 in the last World Cup) thermally-bonded, 3D panels. These are spherically-moulded from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). . The design has received considerable academic input, being developed in partnership with researchers from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.

The Adidas World Cup 2010 Ball comes with some features : the Official World Cup 2010 Jabulani Official Match Soccer Ball by adidas, adidas’ 11th FIFA World Cup official match ball. Designed for never before seen control, power, and swerve, FIFA approved, COVER: Thermally bonded PU for exceptionally true and straight flight, BLADDER: Latex for excellent rebound.

The Jabulani Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup features a completely new, ground-breaking technology. Eight 3D formed EVA & TPU panels are combined together, create harmoniously enveloping the inner design. The result is an energetic unit combined with perfect roundness. Soccer players all over the world are happy and are promising many goals with the new ball. Adidas colaborate with world-class athletes in the development & testing of its products. For the adidas “JABULANI”, adidas partners FC Bayern München, AC Milan, the Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town tested the ball in 2008, tested to improvements in the surface structure and material composition.

One of customer review is Delia De La Torre. Here is what he said about Jabulani Ball “The ball is original, as described. Arrived in time for my husband birthday. He is loving it!.”

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The Italy Team For World Cup 2010

August 29th, 2010

Italy’s squad is older than most, and Marcelo Lippi has not been spared criticism for the age of the team.  The likes of Gianluigi Buffon (32), Fabio Cannavaro (36), Gennaro Gattuso (32), Gianluca Zambrotta (33), Andrea Pirlo (31), Mauro Camoranesi (33), Antonio Di Natale (32) and Vincenzo Iaquinta (30) are all certainly unlikely to be around when the next World Cup in Brazil takes place, so just who can Lippi, or the next manager of the Azzuri, call on to replace this ageing generation?

Lorenzo De Silvestri    Defender     (Fiorentina)    Aged 22
De Silvestri, who stands at just over six feet tall, comes from Lazio, where he recently served as fullback.    When he moved to Fiorentina in 2009, De Silvestri came into his own in the form that served him in representing Italy from U16 to U21. De Silvestri’s power as a fullback may end up earning him a position on the national team in place of Zambrotta.

Davide Santon        Defender    (Inter)        Aged 19
Santon, who made a striking 28 appearances for Inter this season and five for Azzuri, is a skillful defender with an ability to play either flank successfully. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. Technically sound too, Santon, barring injury and a dramatic loss of form, should be a member of the next few Italian squads at major finals events.

Mario Balotelli        (Striker)    (Inter)        Aged 19
  Mario Batelli, though prone to fights and poor sportsmanship, may be one of the best attackers or wingers wearing the Italy soccer merchandise in upcoming games.  Despite his tender years and numerous run ins with fans and management at Inter, Balotelli has scored an impressive 20 goals in 59 games and has notched 6 in 16 for the Italian U21 side. His time will surely come in the Euro 2012 qualifiers when Italy are going to need a new look strike force.

Federico Macheda    (Striker)    (Man Utd)    Aged 18
Despite Macheda’s failure to make first team at Old Trafford, soccer pundits agree that Man United’s striker could make a name for himself in the 2010-2011 season, and even gain the attention of Azzuri management. The striker’s strength and intelligence make him a force to be reckoned with, especially in terms of goal scoring. Particularly good with his back to goal, he has already been capped at U21 level for Italy and if he can start to make a bigger impact in the United first team, full honours should soon follow.

Antonio Candreva    (Midfielder)    Udinese    Aged 23
The most daunting challenge that the Italian team faces is finding Pirlo’s replacement, and they may have found their man in Candreva. The Udinese midfielder, who is being touted as making his loan move during last season to Juventus more permanent, is versatile enough to play anywhere in midfield but seems to excel in the holding, creative role so favoured by Pirlo.

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The Adidas Jabulani Is The Official Match Ball For The 2010 FIFA World Cup

August 28th, 2010

World Cup 2010 Ball

The Adidas Jabulani is the official match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The ball was unveiled in Cape Town, South Africa on December 4, 2009. Jabulani was developed at Loughborough University, UK and means “rejoice” in Zulu.

The Jabulani was additionally acclimated as the tournament ball of 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, and a special version of the ball, the Jabulani Angola, was the match ball of the 2010 African Cup of Nations. This ball is also used in the 2010 MLS season in the USA in the league’s colours of blue and green as well as the 2010 Clausura Tournament of Argentina.

The Jabulani has four triangular design elements on a white background. 11 different colours are used, representing the 11 players on a football team, the 11 official languages of South Africa, and the 11 South African communities.

The Jabulani Angola, used at the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, was coloured to represent the yellow, red, and black of the host nation’s flag. For the final to be held in Johannesburg on 11 July, a special match ball will be used with gold panels. The ball will be called the “Jo’bulani”, playing off the Johannesburg nickname of “The Golden City”.

The Jabulani balls are made in China, using latex bladders made in India, thermoplastic polyurethane-elastomer from Taiwan, ethylene vinyl acetate, isotropic polyester/cotton fabric, glue, and ink from China.

The Jabulani is going to be every striker’s greatest Christmas gift and every goalkeeper’s nightmare. To be honest, I can’t wait to see Cristiano Ronaldo strike this Jabulani Soccer Ball because when he does it could be spectacular! I spent some time taking shots and it absolutely pings. The Jabulani is a extra light ball & when you hit it clean it moves fast. In a sense, it reminds me of a plastic ball.

One of customer review is Fernando Robledo. Here is what he said about World Cup 2010 Ball“Best Soccerball ever. Now I know why soccer players kick hard and move fast. It’s all about the Ball.”

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