Wanna be the next David Beckham? Follow his footsteps by starting it off with getting yourself the right pair of soccer shoes.

Soccer shoes also known as soccer cleats or soccer footwear have been customized and improved over the years to fit the weather, field and player style. Designed specifically for the sport of soccer, innovations have undoubtedly been stylistic and glamorous that the upper material has been enhanced from the traditional leather to synthetics with the adaptation and incorporation of synthetic polymers. Synthetic uppers, so they claim, has it’s edge over leather in as far as durability is concerned for aside from giving the player total ball control and superior ball feel for being lightweight, they do not become stiff and out of shape when they become wet and improperly dried even though it’s credibility in decreasing the rate of injury is still in question. Out in the market for example are the latest Nike soccer shoes with external heel counters for added stability and heel fit, midsoles designed to enhance cushioning and outsoles designed for optimal traction and the new Adidas soccer shoes which have been created to be unlike anything else in the field with slip-in, sock-like construction for enhanced fit.

Still, nothing beats getting a good deal on a new pair of soccer shoes. Investing all your money on a new pair of Nike, Adidas, Puma or Lotto soccer shoes may not be reasonable especially for children as they will only be outgrown by them each year. It doesn’t really have to be very expensive as long as it fits good, provides adequate support and meets the team regulations.

Hit it off during the summer before the season starts and look for regulation soccer cleats, soles of which should be made of rubber, since other sports footwear are not allowed in soccer. There are different types of soccer cleats namely: molded cleats, detachable cleats, indoor shoes, turf shoes and sandals. Molded cleats resemble the basic soccer shoe design made of non-removable rubber or hard plastic formed on the bottom of the shoe for optimal traction and control. This may be used on all field types and in all weather conditions making it ideal for beginners and players on the intermediate level. It is so safe that it has been required by many youth programs.

Detachable cleats vary in length and are usually made of hard plastic or plastic with metal tips. It is ideal for experienced players who can tailor the cleats depending on the field type and weather condition. The studs’ length and type can also be altered based on the said conditions since it can be screwed on and off and replaced easily. This type is more appropriate to use on wet, soggy fields, or on well-groomed, soft grass fields. Turf shoes are basically good training shoes providing a back-up game pair for hard-surface conditions and on artificial turf as the bottom contains various raised patterns instead of studs. Indoor shoes are similar to low-cut sneakers or cross trainers. They are specifically designed for playing indoors in a gym or recreational facility for the flat, rubbery type bottom provides better traction on indoor courts or fields. On artificial turfs however they are preferred and required so that the turf won’t be torn up.

Sandals are worn before the game to preserve your soccer shoes from additional wear. It slips on easily even if your socks and shin guards are on and will allow your feet to breathe after a game. A must have for any player. When trying on a new pair, make sure to wear them with the socks and shin guards that you will be using in practice and at games. You should feel the way each item matches it’s fit with the others. And when measuring, the wearer’s toe should come within the width of a thumb with the end of the shoe when the wearer is standing. See Tips on How to Find Your Shoe Size for a perfect fitting soccer cleat. Also, it is common knowledge that girls and women’s feet are narrower than boys and men’s. However, there are a few exceptions. So, for girls and women who have wider feet, boys and men’s cleats might probably fit them better. Boys and men, on the other hand who have narrower feet can wear girls and women’s cleats. Don’t worry, it won’t make you less of a man if you do so.

Remember that the key to becoming a good player lies in buying the right pair of soccer shoes for a perfect fit will prevent foot injuries thereby leading to a player’s absolute enjoyment of the game.

Soccer is a great game. With so much running up and down the field and fast paced passes you can really feel your adrenaline pumping. As you play soccer regularly as a forward you have to practice stopping on a dime-sometimes almost literally. Your spine and nervous system take the majority of the beating while your knees and hips do the rest. You are not only stopping quickly but you are changing direction which puts strain on your lower back and spine. As a goalie you may jump in all directions and fall on the ground. You can hyperextend your back and hurt your spine. With regular chiropractic adjustments you can keep your spine and nervous system in top notch condition.

But of course you may not endure severe injuries. You may only see your performance decrease as time wears down on your spinal health. Over time-if left unattended-this regular wear and tear can reduce your game. It can have an effect on how well you play and how quickly you can run or jump or change positions on the field. It can be the difference between winning and losing. But there are ways you can avoid this and keep your game in top notch shape on the field and off.

Improving your sports performance can be done using a combination of regular practice and chiropractic care. You can improve your health with regular chiropractic care whether you are a young athlete with aspirations of professional leagues or you are a weekend warrior who wants to continue doing sports as you age. Performance chiropractic care will enhance your overall health and reaction times to ensure you are at your best on the pitch.

Brian Haynes the winner of three American Professional Soccer League titles. Says: “Chiropractic helps to prevent injuries and speeds up the recovery time when you are injured.”

US World Cup Team says: “As the season progressed, virtually every player (had) been adjusted. Some enjoy it for its preventative approach, and others appreciated the relief it provides them when they have been injured.”

When you turn to regular chiropractic care as a soccer player it helps your joints and your extremities. It can give particular assistance to your ankles and knees which are prone to the most damage when you play regularly.

You can ease lower back pain and get adjustments before a game or during halftime if you play professionally. This can help reduce the number of nagging injuries which occur on the field. If you want to improve your game and your health you need to recognize that your muscles and scar tissue can cause problems in soccer. When you use chiropractic care it can help reduce the number of sore muscles or scar tissue that develops into bigger issues.

You can reap many benefits from regular chiropractic care for your game and your health. Train hard and play hard so you can play at your best, but if you are looking for that “gold medal edge” than see your performance care chiropractor.

You’ve got your soccer team, you’ve got your soccer formation: now it’s time to talk soccer tactics. Tactics in soccer is a term sometimes used interchangeably with formation on the soccer field, but for this article we’ll take it to mean aspects of play put into action by the players on the pitch who already have a football formation to adhere to.

Soccer coaches talk tactics a lot, and it’s clear to see why. A team may have trouble getting the ball into the oppositions’ goal area for any number of reasons, and as such a change of tactics may be required to do the trick. Tactics can also be changed during the game and worked on in training for an element of surprise. Below we’ll look at four common tactical set-ups and when they might be employed.

Route One – The Long Ball Game: Soccer fans tend to groan when they hear about long ball tactics, as it is considered a boring and unsophisticated style of play. Yet when it works, and results in a goal, these same supporters will be on their feet cheering! The long ball seeks to bypass much of the opposition by thumping the ball up from the defense right to the attackers. Obviously, for this to work you need a strong, usually tall, and certainly very commanding striker who can jump for the ball in the air, bring it to the ground, and then either pass it off to his partner forward or run at the defense. This is ideal against smaller defenders and if you have a tall, strong attacker, known as the ‘target man’, at your disposal – not to mention a defender who can really kick it the length of the field.

Wing play: Wing play is generally the opposite of the long ball game, but a target man can also be employed here. Rather than bypassing the midfield, the ball will travel much of the length of the field on the ground, being dribbled forward by a full-back or, more commonly, a wide midfielder or winger. This requires swift, usually short, skilful players with a low centre of gravity who can easily run with the ball and fox defenders. When they hit the edge of the opponent’s goal area they can ‘cross’ the ball into the box high or low for the attackers to score with, or cut inside themselves and take a shot on goal.

The offside trap: This defensive tactic is risky, but a well-trained, well-drilled team can make it invaluable. The idea is to take advantage of soccer’s “offside” rules by making all defenders – usually all four, in a 4-4-2 – time a run forward so that the opposing attacker is left in an offside position when the ball is played to him. If one defender gets his timing wrong the striker can go free one-on-one with the goalkeeper, so don’t try this one without a long time of working on soccer drills and defensive training. Once you get it working, though, it’s very effective, and really frustrates the opposition.

Whether you are a newbie or an expert player, you should consider some factors before buying a new pair of soccer cleats. You have so many options and it’s not easy to make the right decision. Remember: your footwear doesn’t make you a good soccer player, but they will surely help a lot. Given below is a read that can help you get the right pair of shoes.

Think About Your Playing Style

First off, you should find out how you play. Every player has a different style of playing soccer. You should consider your playing style when choosing soccer cleats. Some players stick to the same position, while others change positions. Just make sure they will suit your playing style.

Consider The Pitches You Are Going to Play on

Based on the pitches you are going to play on, you should choose the right pair. For instance, if you are going to play on wet pitches you may not want to go for HG soccer cleats. This type will cause you to slip on wet surface. Some are ideal for most types of surfaces. Keep in mind that this is one of the most important factors that you should think about before investing in an expensive pair.

Material Used For the Upper

Soccer players don’t have the same choice when it comes to the upper that manufacturers use in the soccer cleats. For instance, some players go for a pair that offers consistent performance. For consistent performance, soccer cleats containing synthetic uppers are a good choice. Some manufacturers use the same material for a range of their soccer cleats, while others use a variety of styles and materials. This gives soccer players a lot of options.

The Weight of The Shoes

The weight is another factor that gives soccer players a lot of options. Over the past several years, the average weight has come down due to the advent of new technology and material. According to experts, the average weight is 9.4oz. If your pair is too heavy, you may not be as comfortable as you should be. On the other hand, a too light pair will not be as strong and reliable as it should be. Therefore, you may want to go for a pair that is both strong and light weight.

Decide on The Budget

Budget is an important factor to think about when buying shoes. First of all, you should set a budget and should never go over it. Based on all the factors given above, you can easily decide on the amount of money you want to spend. Second, if you shop around, you can easily get a good pair at discount prices. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. But price shouldn’t be your first factor to choose the product you want.

So, buying soccer cleats will be a piece of cake for you if you consider the factors given above. Hope this will help.

Did you ever wonder why people wear soccer shoes during games like soccer, football, and basketball? It is so because the soccer shoes have spikes in them. Games like soccer need constant running on the ground without a break. Regular footwear is of no aid in these games. They won’t provide you much support and you also may end up getting hurt. The spikes fixed at the bottom of these soccer shoes dig into the muddy and grassy ground and helps in running and taking sudden turns. They provide traction. They are of immense support while you are running in the ground. Soccer shoes are made of leather and come in low cuts with a cushion that can be removed if you do not like it.

Soccer shoes provide all the balance you need on a rough ground during your instant turns, cuts, sprints, and skids. The gap prevents it from trapping dirt and grass between them and make running easier. The spikes are distributed evenly in the toe and foot area to gives you proper grip even on sloppy surfaces.

It is known by various names. The spikes for the soccer shoes is of three kinds rubber, metal, and plastic. If they come out of the shoes then don’t worry, they can be reattached. Soccer shoes are lightweight so that you do not feel a load on your legs pulling you down while running. Plus they are compatible with all kinds of surface. Edge around the toes is hardly stitched that assist in proper kicking. Due to heavy stitching, the layer also won’t come out. Keep these things in mind before buying them.

Find out your perfect size – If you are about to buy a new pair of soccer shoes then it is better to do some digging on the internet before. If you are buying them for the first time then it is important to know the right size. Do the measurements before and then choose the one that fits you perfectly.

Another important factor to keep in mind while choosing them is your position and method of playing. They are made of different materials for different players depending on the position they take in the field. Goalkeepers need soccer shoes that provide them more traction and help in sudden jumping. Wingers keep on changing their direction so they need ones that do not trip them during turns. Defensive players need more protection to their feet which are in danger of getting hit most. Midfielders should select the ones that provide comfort while they run non-stop.

It is necessary that your soccer shoes fit you properly or if it is tight or loose then it can cause hindrance while you play. The upper should be tight to give a proper fit but not too tight to squeeze your toes.

An effective soccer coach must not only have an in-depth knowledge in everything about soccer. He must also possess special characteristics that will help him become a great coach and produce a winning soccer team. A successful soccer team does not just rely on the physical and technical requirements, but usually more than those. The soccer coach must develop skills to fulfill them.

Here are 10 typical features that every soccer coaches must have.

1. Good Role Model

Every soccer team needs a coach that is a good role model. You have to understand that they need someone worth imitating. Check yourself if you are willing to be your soccer team’s role model. Put in mind that you are going to be their servant-leader and they are relying their success on you. You would be teaching them positive attitudes to win a game. It would be a shame if you teach something you don’t actually apply to yourself.

2. Admirable Appearance

Being a good soccer coach, you must never overlook the importance of appearance. Make sure you look neat and tidy. Cleanliness could add up to your professional look and this will help you gain trust and respect of the team. Remember that you will be the players’ role model, their soccer coach.

3. Be Punctual

Always be early to arrive in the soccer training. This way, you can manage the training set-up before the players arrive. It will also help you to not waste your time and can focus on the training objectives by starting on time during the sessions. If you will be late, there will be big chances that the soccer players will get bored easily, or even be impatient because you are not being professional.

4. Good teacher

An effective soccer coach is a good teacher. Part of your duty is to teach them everything about soccer especially the basics like passing, dribbling, shooting and tackling. You have to make it sure that your soccer team is learning and growing their skills. Always remember to give clear and correct instructions during the training sessions. You can’t coach the soccer players who don’t have any knowledge about the do’s and don’ts in soccer. In teaching soccer skills, demonstrating the drills is better than oral instructions.

5. Friendly

Establish a good player-coach relationship with your soccer team by being friendly to them. You must understand their personalities by knowing their personal lifestyles and interests. This way, you could analyze their varied emotional and mental characteristics and develop strategies that could motivate them more accordingly. But be reminded, you can get personal but stay professional.

6. Good Listener

It is important to constantly seek the soccer team’s involvement, and one way of this is by asking their views after every game. As the soccer coach, you must be a good listener because every person has his own brilliant ideas to share. Always encourage them to speak out and take what they say into consideration. Make notes if necessary, and include some recommendations in your soccer session plan.

7. Good Communicator

It is important that a soccer coach knows the importance of communication. This includes recognizing the players’ performances and achievements. Encourage them to do better and praise them for a game well done. Be conscious with using your words because a coach’s words are powerful and will bring a big impact to the team.

8. Development

Each soccer player’s development is essential. As their coach and role model, you must not only teach them soccer basic skills, but also social skills like discipline, patience, determination, and teamwork. Always put as one of your goals the development of the team players.

9. Team Motivator

Always develop activities in the soccer training session that will help motivate each soccer player to do better every game. Don’t forget to remind them their goals and missions on why they wanted to learn soccer and create a winning team. Words of encouragement and ways for development are very useful.

10. Goal-Centered

Whatever may happen, always look unto your soccer team’s goal – Why you are working so hard, why the soccer players are determined to learn and follow every instructions, why their parents keep on supporting your team. You are all doing your best to reach that common goal. An effective soccer coach knows how to picture out that goal to the players’ minds.

If you can apply these 10 Soccer Coach must-have’s, then you will be the soccer players’ favorite coach ever. Always remember to give them the chance to achieve their full potentials. Soccer is one great enjoyable game in the world, make sure you put that in their minds.

Would you believe that you have different choices for soccer corner flags?

Different choices? Yes. But there is one thing standard about soccer corner flags. Their height. The standard height is 5 feet, or 60 inches, or 1.42 meters.

However, that is where the consistency of soccer corner flags ends. Let’s look at what is available by working our way up from the ground:

Grounding

There are different ways to secure the flags in the corners of your soccer field. The type of field will help to determine what type of base that you need.

• Straight in screw type stake. Just stick it in the ground. Good for hard or soft ground. The only issue being that they can easily fall over if you run into them.
• T-type stake. This provides two separate prongs shaped like the letter U to push into the ground. Will provide a little more stability than the single screw type.
• Angled type stake. This provides a couple of inches of offset between where the stake is stuck in the ground, and where the pole starts its vertical rise. It allows the flag to be right on the corner, but the stake to be outside the field of play.
• Spring loaded. Contains a spring at the base for added flexibility.
• Hollow plastic base. Can be filled with water or sand so they stay put. Good for indoor and outdoor use.
• Weighted base for fields where you cannot insert anything into the field.

Corner flags come in sets of 4 but can be purchased individually if you need to replace only 1 or 2. They can also be purchased in multiples of 4 if you need to outfit an entire soccer club or city soccer fields.

The Pole

Poles are usually made of plastic. There are 2 types of plastic that are normally used:

• PVC plastic. Lightweight but breakable.
• Acetate plastic. Will not break or shatter.

Pole diameter can range from 1/2 inch right up to 1 1/2 inches for a World Cup quality corner flag set.

Carrying full size corner flag poles can be a real pain sometimes, even if you have a corner flag carry bag. So most manufacturers offer 2 piece and 3 piece poles as well. These 2 and 3 piece poles come with an internal shock cord so the pieces never leave each other. You don’t have to worry about losing a piece of the pole.

Colorful Flags

Flags are always either triangular or square in shape. The flags are always bright, even neon in color. They come in a variety of colors with the most common being:

• Red.
• Yellow.
• Red and Yellow checkers.
• Black and white checkers.
• Red with a diagonal white stripe.

Do you even remember what color your home field uses?

Scoring goals can be fun, but there is great importance in choosing the right footwear to increase all important elements of game like stability, dribbling, traction, and accuracy that increase overall performance. A quality soccer shoe is one that allows complete freedom of movement and function. It ought to offer total support and comfort and as a player looking for the best you must be able to understand what cleats are all about and what reactions will mean to your performance when wearing the cleats.

When there is excessive motion of the feet during play, there is risk of blisters and tendonitis. This is, however an issue that most manufacturers have eliminated by making various improvements to the cleat environment. Different features are integrated to offer comfort and control for all kinds of soccer players.

The upper

It acts as protective foot covering and the material used is what will determine the ball feel you have as well as control especially when dribbling down the field. The cleat upper plays a significant role in side to side stability of your feet. This part of the shoe should be leather or synthetic with each coming with its pros and cons. The op portion of cleat upper is the strike zone and it is what contacts the ball. It could feature rubber or silicone areas that help in ball control. In some cleats, the outer areas are padded so they can dampen the impact of hard passes to the feet.

The heel counter

This is the clear structure that cradles the heel back. A good heel counter should not only be bonded strongly to the upper and outsole plate, but should also not bend even after long periods of vigorous use. A bended counter will not be as functional and when buying your cleats you should therefore ensure that it is bound to remain rigid from outside and have good padding too on the inside to keep blistering at bay. It is a part that should offer support and cushioning so you remain stable even when making quick turns, stops and starts. The main function of the heel counter is to absorb shock during running and releasing energy when pulling from turf to propel you. The heel counters can be internal or external with internal heels being more durable but not as protective especially when kicked.

The internal last

It is the footbed construction which has an important role in performance. It is what you will find under arch support or sock liner of your boots. A good quality footbed will offer you support for the arch and foot type too. The construction delivers the optimal blend of flexibility and stability. A footbed that fails to offer adequate support will only increase the risk of problems like plantar fasciitis. You may need to replace it with an insole that is more supportive. The insole offers support, absorbs shod and also holds the foot securely, but only the right materials will be able to offer you this.

The sport of soccer is considered to be the most popular game in the world. To achieve success in this sport, athletes need to develop certain important skills at the young age. Young soccer players who are at the U9 to U11 age group must learn these three essential skills to become an impact player in the future.

1. DRIBBLING

In soccer, if a player doesn’t know how to dribble a ball, then he cannot play the game. Dribbling is the most basic and most important of all soccer skills. It is defined as the ability to carry the ball past the opponent while taking full control of the soccer ball. Dribbling serves three purposes: to beat the defender, to accelerate into space, and to avoid pressure. To develop good dribbling technique, you should:

• Make gentle contact (called “touch”) with the soccer ball

• Always keep the ball close to your feet

• Use the edge of the foot to dribble galloping

• Practice changes in your dribbling pace

• Use your body to protect the ball when defender gets close

• Practice an inside-outside dribbling drill through cones with both feet

2. PASSING

Passing the ball to teammates plays a big role in a soccer game. The ability to properly pass the ball to your teammates is a critical skill that all soccer players should learn from early age. The best soccer players are often the best passers of the ball. There are three soccer passes: standard pass, chipped pass and lofted pass. Follow these soccer passing tips to master this skill:

• Develop vision so that you can see potential passing time

• Master all three soccer passes

• Try passing more to be more effective on the pitch

• The faster you pass the ball, the less time your opponent gets to interrupt you

• Put correct pace on the ball while passing it to your teammate

3. RECEIVING

The ability to receive a soccer ball determines the effectiveness of a player. If a player has great first touch, he/she will have more time to dribble and shoot. The technique to receive a ball on the ground is quite different from receiving it in the air.

Follow these tips when receiving a ball on the ground:

• Keep your eye on the ball and choose which foot to receive the ball with

• Receive the ball with one foot with ankle locked

• Don’t just stop after receiving the ball. Instead prepare for the next action: dribble, shoot or pass

Follow these tips when receiving a ball in the air:

• Keep your eyes on the ball and read the speed and direction of the ball

• Decide which part of your body (thigh, head, foot, or chest) you will use to control the ball

• Receive the ball and cushion it with the body part to slow it down. Prepare for next move.

Games that require lots of running and jumping like baseball, football, lacrosse or soccer requires you to wear special cleats. If you ware your regular jogging ones to these ground then you won’t be able to maintain your balance and end up getting hurt. If you are a soccer player then you must understand the dire need for soccer cleats. Soccer is a fast pace, nonstop game that needs you to run continuously without losing your balance. Your fancy regular sport wear fail to assist in these games due to the game’s roughness. They are of immense support while you are running in the ground. Known by various names, they are made keeping in mind about all the twist and turns and skids you have to face on the ground. But there are many kinds for different games and you can get confused while choosing. So first understand the difference in the types and their area of distribution. Do not wear football cleats in soccer because it’s really not safe.

How they look – The back portion of the cleat is a little heeled which offers support while running. The toe part or the upper part are stitched with vamps to provide a smooth kick and make them last longer. The cleats at bottom could be made of metal- tipped, plastic or rubber. They are detachable. If they come off then don’t be worried, they can be fixed. Apart from the running part cleats are helpful in skidding or if you slip in wet snow or water.

Its types and their purpose – They comes in three kinds – round, bladed and hard ground. The hard ground one gives you proper traction on firm and hard surface, bladed studs create fewer pressure &the round ones offer more points of contact with the field. Choose the one you find more compatible. But remember to buy the ones especially made for soccer.

Other sports cleats and the difference in them – Basketball ones have cleats in front of them which are helpful in digging into the ground and coming out easily. If you hit someone or step on someone with them it could be dangerous.

Cleats in the footwear made for football are present on the edge and bottom. Compared to baseball ones, football cleats are different. Their leather is thicker and heavy which helps you in jumping. Football ones make the turns and skids easy.

Now coming to soccer ones. They are lighter in weight than baseball or football cleats. Football ones come in two cuts – mid cut and low cut, soccer ones come in low cuts only. The cushioning inside can be removed and reattached. Many schools have instructed their students to wear cleats for the soccer. If you wear any other sports wear to a soccer ground your chances of being barred from playing in your school are high.