| In order to change direction quickly and explosively, a | | | | mitigate the chance of a soccer player suffering a |
| soccer player must learn how to stop properly, | | | | serious knee injury. |
| effectively and safely. The most dangerous soccer | | | | The best way for a soccer player to check to make |
| player on the field isn't always the fastest one, but | | | | sure they are in a proper position of deceleration or |
| the one one that can stop the fastest and then | | | | athletic stance is to once they stop properly, they |
| explode in a new direction. | | | | will stand up nice and tall, go up on their toes and |
| There are several things to consider and do in order | | | | pivot to one side. Then have them drop to their |
| to achieve this success. In order for a soccer player | | | | knees. Their one knee should be right in the middle of |
| to stop quickly, as a player approaches the spot | | | | their other foot. If it is off, they should fix it so that |
| where they need/want to stop, they will want to | | | | it is correct and then keep their toes where they |
| take smaller steps and start to drop their hips. By | | | | are, they stand back up, turn to face forward again |
| doing this, they are effectively lowering their center | | | | and then bend their knees and drop their hips....putting |
| of gravity. By lowering their center of gravity, this will | | | | them right back into their proper deceleration position. |
| allow them to (stop, pause or slow down) explode in | | | | So to summarize, as a soccer player approaches |
| a new direction quickly. | | | | where they want to stop, take smaller steps, start |
| To effectively stop however, a soccer player should | | | | to bend their knees and drop their hips and stop by |
| step into that stopped position rather than jumping | | | | stepping into an athletic stance (deceleration |
| into it with both feet. When they come to a stop, | | | | position)with them balanced on the front part of their |
| their feet should be pointed forward and they should | | | | feet. |
| be in an athletic stance. (Athletic stance is their feet | | | | If a soccer player works on this efficient and safe |
| are about shoulder width apart). They will want their | | | | stopping technique and then works on their next |
| heels slightly off the ground (allow a piece of paper | | | | explosive first step in a new direction, they too will |
| to go between their heel and the ground) and they | | | | become a dangerous player on the soccer field. |
| are balanced on the front part of the feet ready to | | | | Soccer coaches should look to incorporate this |
| explode in a new direction. One important | | | | change of direction technique into as many of their |
| consideration here is to not allow the knee to fly | | | | functional training sessions as possible. Getting soccer |
| past or be in front of their toes. This puts too much | | | | players to change direction quickly and powerfully will |
| stress on the knee. Soccer players have a higher | | | | give them more time and space with the ball allowing |
| incidence of knee injury than other sports because of | | | | them to become even more creative and dangerous |
| the constant cutting and changing direction. Learning | | | | on the soccer field! |
| the proper mechanics of direction change will help to | | | | Have great day! |