| One of the difficulties that soccer players face is | | | | discourage the ball from being passed to him |
| realizing how coaches are assessing their talent and | | | | (pressure). |
| potential as a student-athlete. How you perform | | | | 3. When, where, and how (posture) to tackle. |
| under game conditions sets the yardstick on how | | | | 4. When to jockey the ball carrier and force them |
| you will be measured. The game demands infinite | | | | away from the goal (patience). |
| variety technically, tactically, physically, and | | | | 5. The quickest avenue of attack upon regaining the |
| psychologically. The game features the excitement | | | | ball. |
| and power of two teams trying to score goals on | | | | Physical Aspects |
| the attacking side and defying that goals will be | | | | Physical fitness for the soccer player must condition |
| scored on the defending side. | | | | that person to play better soccer. Too many times |
| Coaches will see in this competitive environment | | | | fitness takes the form of running that has nothing to |
| which players are totally committed on maintaining or | | | | do with the modern demands of the game. Fitness |
| regaining possession of the ball. Under the pressurizing | | | | must be designed to help a player's self-assertion |
| challenge of opponents who are restricting the space | | | | when controlling the ball against tackling opposing |
| and time for players to read and to assess a | | | | players throughout the duration of the game. All |
| situation and to adapt themselves successfully. Can | | | | physical elements must be balances in order to |
| they collect a ball safely; initiate a pass, a run, a turn, | | | | become a complete player. Fitness and ball control |
| and a feint, carryout some surprising unpredictable | | | | must grow together! |
| moves, in order to help them or a teammate score a | | | | Endurance: |
| goal? | | | | The ability of a player to commit himself diligently |
| Good defenders will be able to read and anticipate | | | | throughout the game in attack and defense with no |
| attacking methods, pursuing and chasing the ball | | | | sign of fatigue and impaired ball control. That player |
| immediately, closing down the attacking space, | | | | must constantly be running into open spaces |
| smothering the attacker's reaction time, intercept | | | | demanding the ball or pulling and committing opposing |
| passes, steal the ball back, and quickly initiate the | | | | players to create openings. Even though this is also a |
| attack. All successful coaches are looking for those | | | | tactical commitment, it will only be successful if you |
| players who have the skill and desire to attack and | | | | have the endurance capabilities to run for ninety |
| to defend. | | | | minutes. The coach will be examining your physical |
| Every good defender in possession knows how to | | | | exertion as you are being exposed to tactical |
| switch from defending to attacking play. Their agility | | | | problems you are trying to solve in the game. |
| and skill allow them to run forward, dribble at | | | | Speed: |
| opponents, play one-twos by using up front players, | | | | The ability to accelerate quickly and maintain that |
| shield the ball, and to have the courage to shoot at | | | | acceleration of the various lengths the player's |
| goal and score. | | | | position demands. As an example, the forward needs |
| Players are complete only when developed in all | | | | acceleration with changes of speed over three to |
| areas. Outstanding skill with a weakness in speed, | | | | twenty yards. Elements include: |
| strength, and power makes a player less desirable. | | | | 1. Pure straight ahead running speed |
| The same holds true of players who are physical | | | | 2. Lateral speed (changing direction). |
| specimen only to have below average technique. And | | | | 3. Change of speed (slow to fast, fast to half speed). |
| what of the player with good physical prowess and | | | | 4. Deceleration ("stopping on a dime"). |
| skill, yet who has no idea of the tactical elements of | | | | After these basics are attained, speed must be |
| their team's play? Even less desirable are those | | | | practiced with the ball! |
| players who fall apart psychologically under pressure, | | | | Agility: |
| "hiding" or lashing out at opponents, teammates, | | | | The ability to change directions quickly. Twisting, |
| referees, coaches, or parents during the big game. | | | | turning while dribbling, readjusting your body to |
| These elements are developed by exposure to highly | | | | control an awkwardly bouncing ball, and getting up |
| challenging daily training sessions and frequent highly | | | | quickly after a tackle are a few examples. This area |
| combative matches. This will insure the development | | | | is enhanced by flexibility exercises such as stretching, |
| of the following vital components of the highly | | | | ball gymnastics, and skill training with the ball. |
| recruitable player. | | | | Conditioning training must be combined with skill and |
| Technical Ability | | | | tactical training! |
| Ball Control: | | | | Strength: |
| You must be able to bring a ball played to you under | | | | The ability to effectively use your body to win |
| control instantly and smoothly. This is the ability to | | | | physical confrontations. Strength is exhibited during |
| collect and move in a different direction without | | | | tackling (1 vs. 1), winning the aerial duel (heading), and |
| stopping the ball completely, yet still maintaining it | | | | changing directions effectively (explosion). It is also |
| securely. Develop the technique of receiving a pass | | | | important to learn how to effectively use that |
| at top speed. This means not slowing down to collect | | | | strength to your advantage as is demonstrated in |
| a ball coming on the ground, bouncing, or in the air. | | | | using your arms to hold a player off while running at |
| You must be able to protect the ball by shielding it | | | | top speed with the ball or in shooting for power. |
| and developing deception in order to get rid of your | | | | Much of your strength and power training can be |
| opponent. | | | | combined with technique training! |
| Passing: | | | | Attitude and Personal Traits |
| You must be able to successfully complete short and | | | | Regardless of a player's performance, their skill, |
| long range passes. This incorporates all of your ball | | | | tactical, and physical display, other factors heavily |
| skills, including heading, bending, chipping, and the | | | | influence a coach's decision to recruit a given athlete. |
| ability to drive the ball to a partner. You will find that | | | | Coaches will look at their mental and psychological |
| at a high level, it is easier to control and make quick | | | | make-up, their mental ability to quickly and correctly |
| decisions with a ball that is driven to you, rather than | | | | read and assess situations, their motivational drive |
| weakly played. Develop the skill of one-touch passing. | | | | and will power, their self-confidence and emotional |
| Dribbling: | | | | stability. Competition reveals character! |
| This is the ability to feint, burst past opponents, | | | | Each coach loves to identify key players with |
| change directions and speed at will, and break | | | | personalities and qualities that cause them to become |
| through packed defensive lines. Can you exhibit quick | | | | team leaders. The following personality traits are the |
| feet, combined with a sense of comfort under | | | | most recognizable: |
| pressure, to penetrate into space to open | | | | 1. Drive: Pure will power, eager to achieve goals, a |
| opportunities for yourself or a partner? | | | | burning desire to achieve success, strong |
| Heading: | | | | self-motivation, commitment, dedication, |
| The ability to head at goal after crosses, heading | | | | determination. |
| high, wide, and deep for defensive clearances, | | | | 2. Aggressiveness: "Go getter", strong self-assertions, |
| heading balls as a one-touch pass (both into space or | | | | takes risks, wants to dominate opponents, works |
| to a partner's feet) in order to create shooting | | | | hard and ruthless in attack and defense, Danger - |
| chances. Can you effectively demonstrate the ability | | | | bad losers that are inclined to retaliation and revenge |
| to do this under the duress of the game? | | | | fouls, loses self-control, general lack of discipline. |
| Finishing: | | | | 3. Determination: Seeks the direct way towards goal, |
| Nothing makes more of an impression on people than | | | | no compromising, doesn't hesitate when making |
| the skill of goal scoring. This aspect takes in the | | | | decisions, willingness, fully concentrated, |
| correct technique of striking the ball in various ways; | | | | success-oriented. |
| driving low balls, hitting volleys, half-volleys, | | | | 4. Responsibility: Intelligent, can read the game |
| half-chances, chipping, bending, heading, etc. Good | | | | tactically (anticipation), conscientious, reliable, wants |
| goalscorers can also finish with their chest, heel, toe, | | | | security, cooperative, ready for compromise, stable |
| and thigh. Coaches are looking for that player who | | | | and skillful player. |
| can exhibit composed aggressiveness, swift and | | | | 5. Leadership: Intelligence, dedication, pride, bears |
| secure decision taking at the opportune times. The | | | | responsibility for the team, influences the |
| successful goalscorer has the mentality of a great | | | | environment, anticipation, intuition, independent and |
| used-car salesman, very aggressive and not afraid of | | | | spontaneous, convincing and dominating player, hard |
| failure. | | | | worker, and no surrender, composed, self-controlled, |
| Tactical Awareness | | | | endurable, communicative, respected, and trustful. |
| Tactical insight incorporates the anticipation, reading, | | | | 6. Self-Control: Discipline, emotional stability, |
| and execution of certain clues that happen during | | | | composure, discretion, defying conflicts. |
| possession and non-possession of the ball. | | | | 7. Self-Confidence: Secure ball control and determined |
| In Attack: | | | | application of skills and tactics under pressure (both |
| A. Player not in possession: | | | | external and self-imposed). Danger - these players |
| 1. Makes himself available for the ball, perhaps by a | | | | tend to underrate opposing players, show a lack of |
| diagonal run or a crossover run. | | | | willingness to be coached, and can become easily |
| 2. Realizes when it is crucial to offer close support | | | | complacent. |
| and when to stay away. | | | | 8. Mental Toughness: Persistency, consistency, |
| 3. Recognizes the proper time to execute | | | | commitment throughout the game, no surrender, |
| "take-overs" and "overlaps". | | | | tough self-assertion. |
| B. Player in possession: | | | | 9. Coachability: Ready to learn and to achieve goals, |
| 1. Has good peripheral vision, allowing him to recognize | | | | self-motivated, attentive and receptive, willingness, |
| the correct time to switch the ball to the other side | | | | interested, spontaneous, committing themselves, likes |
| of the field. | | | | to discuss problems, hard worker, self-disciplined, |
| 2. Has good penetrating vision, allowing him to see | | | | creative, constructive, progressive. |
| and utilize players who are far down the field. | | | | 10. Conscientiousness: Sensitive, nervous, pre-contest |
| 3. Recognizes the correct time to play directly, and | | | | anxiety, diligent, always wants to give their best, |
| when it is important to hold the ball (shielding or | | | | modest, reserved, fearful, pondering, self-critical, |
| dribbling), or when to run at top speed past players | | | | depends on success, reliable player in solid |
| opening up passing angles for his team. | | | | environment. |
| 4. Sees opportunities to play "one-twos". | | | | 11. Trustfulness: Reliable, self-confident, will be |
| In Defense: | | | | respected and attracts sympathy of teammates, |
| During the immediate pursuit, and desire to regain | | | | untiring commitments, composed and self-controlled, |
| possession of the ball, the player should recognize: | | | | determined influential and communicative, |
| 1. When to race forward to intercept the pass. | | | | open-minded and approachable, good team spirit. |
| 2. When to mark the opponent tight in order to | | | | |