It's likely that soccer, the world's most popular sport, has gained such wide international acceptance because it's a team sport that nearly anyone can play. It's a fast-paced sport emphasizing player speed and agility rather than relying on advantages based on height, size or weight. Moreover, it's a game that children can begin playing at 4 to 5 years of age, and one that both genders can play with equal proficiency. There's no reason why girls and boys can't play the sport together, and in fact, there are leagues where both compete on the same team.
George Ullrich, a self-described "soccer dad," talks with Belma Johnson about the growing popularity of soccer among young people in the U.S. He also discusses how both his son's and his daughter's participation in the sport has been enhanced with some practice accessories that can be used in any backyard.
One of the most useful practice aides is simply a wall that the player can kick the ball against in order to simulate game play and refine kicking techniques. A soccer rebound wall (figure A) is easy to install for a cost of less than $100.
Materials:
Three 8' pressure-treated pine posts (4" x 4")
Ten 12' pressure-treated pine planks (2" x 8")
Quick-setting concrete
Galvanized screws
Shovel
Cordless drill with screwdriver attachment
- Choose a relatively flat location free of obstructions and with a good bit of surrounding lawn.
- For a 12' by 6' wall (figure B), begin by sinking three 4" by 4" upright posts about 2 feet into the ground. Place them in a straight line about 4 feet apart.
- Secure the posts in the ground using fast-setting concrete. Allow the concrete to set completely. The 4" x 4" posts will support the wall from the back (figure C).
- To form the wall itself, attach 10 12' pressure-treated 2" x 8" planks to the uprights using galvanized screws. Use a carpenter's level to make certain that the planks are installed so that they are even and horizontal.
- Install the bottom plank with a small gap beneath it so that rainwater doesn't collect on the uphill side of the wall.
Once it has been installed, a single player can practice a variety of kicking, passing, throwing and rebounding drills with the wall serving to return the ball each time. This simple aid helps a player hone technique through practice and repetition without the need for a practice partner. Two players can also use the wall by trading kick returns back and forth.
Another useful practice accessory is the soccer throw-back net (figure D), which functions much like the familiar baseball pitch-back. It serves as an artificial partner, allowing the player to practice throw-ins (figure E) and then volley-kicks as the ball bounces back off the angled net. The angle can be adjusted so that the returning ball is directed upward with a higher, slower arch. This gives the player more time to prepare to kick as the ball is returning, analogous to a tennis player returning a high lob.
The soccer practice-net (figure F) utilizes netting material with enough slack that it simply stops the ball and provides little or no rebound. This allows the player to practice full-force goal and penalty kicks. Practice may involve a single player, or two players with one attempting score kicks while the other serves as goalie. The net can also be tightened to give slight rebound, allowing for return kicks that are more delayed than they would be using the soccer wall.
The objective with all these practice aids is to provide the player with the means to hone various game-play techniques and control through repeated drills while also building endurance through aerobic activity. About 30 to 40 minutes of practice per day will help strengthen basic soccer skills noticeably.
RESOURCES :
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
Organization devoted to developing quality youth soccer programs that promote family environment, positive coaching, good sportsmanship, balanced teams and inclusion of all players.
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
Website: www.soccer.org
The United States Soccer Federation
Web site:
www.us-soccer.com
Coaching Youth Soccer: A Baffled Parent's Guide
Model: 0071346082
Author: Bobby Clark
1999
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Soccer Fundamentals: Basic Skills, Drills, and Strategy for Beginning Players
Model: 0312115326
Author: John Learmouth and Brian Raven
St. Martin's Press, 1994
Soccer: How to Play the Game
Model: 0789303388
Author: Dan Herbst
The Official Playing and Coaching Manual of the United States Soccer Federation
Universe Publishing
Coaching Kids to Play Soccer
Model: 0671639366
Author: Jim San Marco and Kurt Aschermann
Fireside, 1987
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