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How to Juggle & How to Dribble

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History of FIFA World Cup Champions

Soccer Basics


Two teams of eleven players are on the field at one time. (Youth leagues sometimes play with fewer players.) Teams 10 years old and under usually play with 7 a side in the Emmorton and AFC Programs. Generally, teams line up with forwards, midfielders, defensemen and one goalkeeper. Any player on the field may score a goal and every player should help defend when necessary. Substitutions may take place only when play is stopped, and only on a “goal kick” or “throw in.”

The Players


Forwards (striker and wings) - The team’s primary offense and goal scorers. Their role is to advance the ball from midfield toward the opposing goal by dribbling, passing, and shooting.

Midfielders (or Halfbacks) - Play between the forwards and the defenders. Halfbacks play both offense and defense. Their primary objective is to receive the ball when it is “cleared” by teammates from the defensive zone, and pass it up to the forwards for scoring opportunities.

Defense (Fullbacks and Sweeper) - Line up between the midfielders and their team’s own goal. They form a row of fullbacks, and sometimes with one deep sweeper playing behind them and are the last line of defense before the goalkeeper. Their primary responsibilities are to prevent opposing players from scoring goals and to clear the ball up to the midfielders.

Goalkeeper - Stands in front of the goal to block shots by opposing players. The goalie is the only player allowed to play the ball with his or her hands and can do so only when inside the 18-yard “penalty area” surrounding the goal.


Common Soccer Terms

Advantage - Occurs when a referee allows an intentional defensive foul without calling a penalty that stops play. This permits the offensive team, while attacking, to maintain its advantage against the defensive team.
Booking - Each time a player is given a yellow or red card, it is recorded in the referee’s penalty book.

Clearing - Takes place when the defending team kicks the ball out of its defensive zone, thus stopping the other team’s offensive drive.

Corner Arcs - The designated four corners of the playing field from where corner kicks are taken.

Cross - Describes a long pass kicked to the center of the goal area by an advancing player from near the sidelines.

Dribble - The advancing of the ball by one player using a continuous series of short kicks. This is the technique players use to maintain ball control.

Drop Ball - When the referee is unsure which player is at fault for an infraction or an out-of-bounds, he or she drops the ball between two opposing players to resume play. The ball must hit the ground before either player can kick it.

Drop Kick - A kick taken by a goalie from within the penalty area. The ball is dropped from the goalie’s hands and then kicked just as it bounces.

Dummy - Describes a fake move by a player who intentionally allows the ball to go past him or her in an attempt to put a defensive player out of position.
Half Volley - Kicking the ball at exactly the same time it touches the ground.

Heading - Describes the action of a player hitting the ball with his or her forehead in an attempt to make a pass, block a shot, or put a shot on goal.

Juggling - A practice technique used to learn ball control. A player juggles the ball in the air by using his or her feet, thighs, chest, top of shoulders, and head.

Marking - A defensive technique in which one player closely guards an opponent.

Nutmeg - A player dribbles the ball through the legs of a defending player.

Out-of-bounds - When the entire ball crosses over a sideline or end line. The ball is playable if it is touching any part of a line.

Pass Back - A deliberate pass by a defensive player back to the hands of his or her own goalie in the penalty area.

Penalty Area - A marked rectangular area, approximately 18 by 44 yards, in front of each goal. The goalkeeper is permitted to touch the ball with his or her hands in this area of the field only.

Slide Tackle - A player slides and kicks the ball in an attempt to steal it from an advancing player. The sliding player must first touch the ball before making contact with the other player - otherwise it is a foul.

Tackle - A player’s method of taking the ball away from an opposing player moving with the ball using footwork and sliding.

Throw In - When the ball is knocked completely over the sideline (touchline), the opposing team throws it back into play. This is done with an overhead throw with two hands holding onto the ball and both feet touching the ground.

Touch - Describes a player’s contact with the ball. A “one touch” is to receive and pass the ball in one kicking motion.

Trapping - The ability of a player to control the ball after it has been kicked to him or her. The chest and foot trap are the most commonly used techniques.

Volley - Kicking the ball when it is in the air.

Wall - On a direct or indirect free kick, defensive players will line up side by side ten yards in front of the ball. This is done in an effort to block a direct line to the goal.

Document
Soccer Ankle Injuries
  Document
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

What do the referee signals mean?


Image: 

Hey coach...get organized!


Goal:  Create a fun, learning soccer environment for your players in training and in games.
 
How?
Often resources are available, it’s just a matter of knowing where to find them:  
· Talk to the Program Director and request helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
· Talk to other Soccer Coaches in the program or in your community who have worked with your age group before.
· Call your State Youth Soccer Association and request helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
 
Team Management: 
Prepare a list of simple and clear rules for your players and their parents.  Conduct a preseason meeting to review these rules and to go over other important information and to complete important administrative paperwork.  Consider the following:
 
· Schedules and locations for training sessions and games.
· Drop off and pick up times for training sessions and games.
· Player responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games.
· Parent responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games.
· Player equipment (soccer ball, shin pads, soccer shoes or sneakers, water, appropriate clothing).
· Coaching equipment (soccer balls, 25-30 cones, 10 vests/pennies, basic first aid kit, small cooler of ice and zip lock bags).
· Discuss the procedure for canceling training sessions and games.
· Discuss your philosophy of coaching…it’s about player development, not winning and losing!
 
Risk Management: 
· Provide proper age appropriate activities at training sessions and games.
· Assure that training and playing areas are safe.
· Make sure that all players are wearing the correct equipment and that it is appropriately sized.
· Make sure that you are assisted by another adult when coaching the players 
· Create a plan for any medical emergencies/injuries.
 
The Training Session
· Duration is 45-60 minutes.
· Every child has a ball.
· Individual activities.
· Warm-up activities include movement education approach…with and without a ball (10 minutes).
· Fun games activities with and with out a ball (20 minutes).

 

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