Geoff & Brian's Tips & Tricks

Soccer Drills

Posted by admin under Soccer

Soccer Drills – Tight Ball Control

Soccer is a game of skillful control. The more control you have over the ball, the more likely you are to win the game. However, there is the issue of how to gain said control.

First, start playing more hackey-sack. And don’t use the small beanbag, but an actual soccer ball. It may seem like a waste of time and just a way to show off, but it gives a player more confidence with his ball-handling skills. I use the word ‘handling’ as a configurative!

Second, remember that the obstacle course is your friend. By learning to manipulate the ball around obstacles, a player can gain tighter control of the ball. By using small posts, even large stones will be sufficient; an obstacle course can be created. The player then has to manipulate the ball around the obstacles without contact in order to successfully complete the course. Tight ball control is probably the single most important factor that makes a soccer player great.

To progress from solid stones or post you can try the same techniques against real players. Obviously more difficult as they can stop you in your tracks! Try this against two players as an obstacle, your mission to get from A to B with these players trying to stop you. To increase your skills, simply increase the amount of players to get past.

Another common skill required is ball trapping. Get someone to throw the ball at you from different heights and practice getting the ball under control quickly. I say quickly because you will not have too much time in an actual soccer match before opposition players are at you.

By combining the methods above, players can learn tighter ball control. You should begin to realize just how important this particular skill is if you are to progress. Now get out there and practice!

Post courtesy of Soccer Drills.com

Extention of Rule 1-6-4 Until January 2010

Posted by admin under Uncategorized

From the National Federation of State High School Associations

As we begin the start of the field hockey season, we have been made aware that students from our member state association high schools are experiencing challenges in meeting the rule requirement of having the bow measurement permanently labeled on their field hockey sticks. To provide some brief history of the rule, the requirement to limit the stick’s bow dimension was first discussed and inserted into the 2005 NFHS Field Hockey Rules book to be effective in 2007. During a meeting with the major field hockey stick manufacturers, they requested that the implementation date be adjusted to accommodate them providing labeling for old products that met the 25 mm rule and properly prepare for future stick productions. The NFHS Field Hockey Rules committee extended the date to January 1, 2009.
The challenges to obtain proper labeling from field hockey stick manufacturers has been brought to our attention by our membership. In an effort not to create a disadvantage to our member state associations or undue hardship to their member schools, we are extending the implementation of NFHS Rule 1-6-4 until January 1, 2010. The members of the NFHS Field Hockey Rules committee and the NFHS staff are in agreement that there will not be another extension granted after the January 1, 2010 deadline.
Please note: The intent of this rule does not include the goalkeeper’s stick. The rule is for the field player’s stick only.
BEH/lbt