| If Pele, Maridona, and Beckham don't sound at all | | | | your hands and arms. If you grew up playing catch in |
| familiar to you, or if you think Freddy Adou is a guy | | | | the back yard, the first couple of times you try to |
| you may have gone to high school with, keep | | | | kick the ball you'll probably look even more awkward |
| reading... please. This article covers all the equipment | | | | than you feel, and it's very likely your kids are going |
| and skills you'll need to join the rest of the world in | | | | to laugh at you. Practice makes near perfect, and |
| playing the wonderful game of soccer.Actually, the | | | | you'll get better over time. Kicking the ball back and |
| rest of the world plays football - they call the sport | | | | forth between two or more people helps. Once you |
| that Steve Young used to play American football. | | | | feel like you might be able to kick the ball and jog |
| The term 'soccer' came into being in the later part of | | | | run at the same time, you're ready to graduate to |
| the 19th century when people began abbreviating the | | | | playing a game.Goals (pronounced |
| French variation of 'association football' to soccer. | | | | !!!' in actual soccer matches) in soccer are scored by |
| Whatever name you use (I'll call it soccer for the | | | | kicking the ball through a rectangle shape |
| purposes of this article), it refers to the fast-paced, | | | | appropriately called the goal. Though the rectangle is |
| exciting game that has captured the interest of more | | | | standard, goals can be made by placing any two |
| and more Americans in recent years. If you've found | | | | objects a few steps apart. I have personally played |
| that you've been left behind when it comes to the | | | | in neighborhood games where the goal posts were |
| sport, here's a few equipment tips and skills you'll | | | | chairs, barrels, younger siblings, and shoes (if you're |
| need to have to start playing.As the name 'football' | | | | playing barefoot, make sure no one is wearing |
| suggests, you'll need a ball. Soccer balls come in many | | | | cleats). Kicking the ball below head height and more |
| different sizes, materials, and styles; and league | | | | or less between the makeshift goal posts constitutes |
| specifications vary depending on the age and level of | | | | a goal, though you will find each goal will be heavily |
| the players. If you just want to buy a 'normal' ball, | | | | debated.Competitive leagues almost always require |
| double check with the store clerks to make sure | | | | shin guards, and you can usually pick up a decent pair |
| you've chosen the right one; or if you're buying | | | | for pretty cheap. Even in a friendly park setting, |
| online, you can check the ball size against the | | | | players can get pretty passionate, and it wouldn't be |
| standards found at The best material for your ball | | | | a bad idea to wear them during the game.The rules |
| depends on the type of surface you're going to play | | | | are simple and easy to learn. The basics you need to |
| on. If you'll spend any time at all kicking the ball | | | | know are that you should try to avoid kicking people, |
| around on the street or playground, I would shy | | | | you can't tackle people like in American football, and |
| away from buying a nice leather ball - the asphalt will | | | | you can't use your hands. In that sense, except for |
| tear it up. Synthetic materials will usually hold up | | | | the hands restriction, soccer is a lot like life. Other |
| better on those surfaces, and typically cost less.Once | | | | rules apply more in competition, but it wouldn't hurt |
| you've got your ball, you're going to need at least | | | | to read up on them at with any sport, the most |
| one pair of feet; however, if you want to do more | | | | important thing is to look good, so go out and buy |
| than just kick the ball against your garage you're | | | | yourself some silky soccer shorts and jerseys. Long |
| going to need at least two sets. There are a number | | | | hair and an Italian accent certainly won't hurt your |
| of different techniques when it comes to kicking the | | | | chances of going pro - but if neither of those is an |
| soccer ball - I'll just summarize them all by saying that | | | | option for you, just remember to have fun and play |
| the goal of kicking the ball is to hit it with some part | | | | fair.Nick Smith is a soccer fan and client account |
| of you're foot and make it go in the direction you | | | | specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More |
| want it to. In fact, in soccer matches you may use | | | | Buyers. More Revenue. |
| any part of you're body to move the ball except | | | | |