Soccer in the USA

                

 

Soccer is one of the most popular and loved game and sport worldwide. It is one of those games that has the biggest audience of fans both who play it and support it. However this is not so true for the whole world. For example, the United States of America are not that crazy about it, Americans are more fond of American football.

Soccer, or football (or foosball or football), as it is called by the rest of the world outside the United States, is surely the most popular sport in the world. Every four years, the world championship of soccer, the World Cup, is watched by literally billions all over the world, beating out the United States professional football's Super bowl by far. It is estimated that 1.7 billion television viewers watched the World Cup final between France and Brazil in July of 1998. And it is also a genuine world championship, involving teams from 32 countries in the final rounds, unlike the much more parochial and misnamed World Series in American baseball (that doesn't even involve Japan or Cuba, two baseball hotbeds). But although soccer has become an important sport in the American sports scene, it will never make inroads into the hearts and markets of American sports the way that football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and even tennis and golf have done. There are many reasons for this.

Recently the New England Revolution beat the Tampa Bay Mutiny in a game played during a horrid rainstorm. Nearly 5000 fans showed up, which shows that soccer is, indeed, popular in the United States. However, the story of the game was buried near the back of the newspaper's sports section, and there was certainly no television coverage. In fact, the biggest reason for soccer's failure as a mass appeal sport in the United States is that it doesn't conform easily to the demands of television. Basketball succeeds enormously in America because it regularly schedules what it calls "television time-outs" as well as the time-outs that the teams themselves call to re-group, not to mention half-times and, on the professional level, quarter breaks. Those time-outs in the action are ideally made for television commercials. And television coverage is the lifeblood of American sports. College basketball lives for a game scheduled on CBS or ESPN (highly recruited high school players are more likely to go to a team that regularly gets national television exposure), and we could even say that television coverage has dictated the pace and feel of American football. Anyone who has attended a live football game knows how commercial time-outs slow the game and sometimes, at its most exciting moments, disrupt the flow of events. There is no serious objection, however, because without television, football knows that it simply would not remain in the homes and hearts of Americans. Also, without those advertising dollars, the teams could not afford the sky-high salaries of their high-priced superstars.

Mary Anne Winslow is a member of Essay Writing Service counselling department team and a dissertation writing consultant. Contact her to get free counselling on custom essay writing

Soccer Uniform Buying Guide

                

 

There are many things to consider when buying those necessary soccer uniforms. The following is a breakdown of the factors to consider when purchasing them.

Show your true colors

Color is usually one of the major factors in determining ones choice in uniform. The reason for this is that color could most probably hinder or help you in your game plan or your cause.

Most of the more poplar colors include white/red, white/blue, white/black, white/navy. This is because these colors are a lot easier to find than black/orange or white/purple.

It would be best if you firstly decide the specific colors you would want to see yourself in before heading off to the shop and buying everything off.

Know that are available, or not

It is also highly advisable if you go on and check the availability of a few stocks before deciding on that items to purchase. Usually, the levels of inventory fluctuate during one whole year that checking-it-twice (as a Christmas song suggests) is a wise thing to do during the process of selection.

It would also be best if you provide you dealer with at least three possible options in order to maximize your chances of getting the uniform you most probably prefer.

If the price is right

Fortunately, there are sites that provide calculations on the price of your uniform via the assessment of a number of factors. One of the most important factors that help determine the total value in retail of any of your soccer uniform purchases is the number of your purchases and how much each item costs.

Usually, discounts are provided depending on the total value in retail of your purchase. A ten percent discount is provided when the purchase totals anywhere between $100 and $199. A fifteen percent discount is provided if the purchase amounts to anywhere between $200 and $499. A twenty percent discount is given if the purchase falls anywhere between $500 and $999. A twenty two percent discount then applies if the purchases accumulate to $1000 and $2499. A twenty five percent discount applies to purchases that occur between $2500 and $4999.

Also, do not forget that there are companies that are more than willing to offer an incentive special program to high schools, colleges and clubs. Sometimes, when the school is more prolific, the incentives given are a whole lot better. Or, the bigger a particular club, the more willing a vendor will get to offer a concession that will fit that specific club.

What is your style

Usually, most people are quick to criticize the style of a particular teams uniform. It is therefore very important to understand the particular needs of your club or team. What kind of style do you want to look for? Are you gearing towards a uniform that is more custom-made? Do you have a plan b just in case the uniform you are planning to have will be discontinued? Up to how many seasons do you plan to wear that uniform? Do you plan to buy back any of your old uniforms in case you drop or add a few players or so? Would boy and girl players be wearing the same kind of uniform?

As much as possible, never believe any of the dealers when they claim that a particular style will be around for all time. With todays ever competitive market, it is always safe to assume that nothing is definitely certain.

Soccer socks, socks for soccer

It is very important to be just as discerning if not discriminating when it comes to choosing socks for use in soccer. Firstly, socks provide a whole lot of support for a players ankle, protects the feet from getting blisters and holds in place shin guards.

It is highly advisable then that socks to be bought are sturdy ones. This is because children usually are great in wearing socks out as well as in outgrowing them. Socks that are of good quality usually last a lot longer and are great in adding support for the feet.

Also, try be keen in fibers. Socks that are in the lower-end kind are usually made out of 100% polyester, acrylic and cotton. Of course, socks that belong to a higher-end kind usually has microfibers that assist in keeping perspiration off from the skin.

These higher-end types of socks have yarns that are elasticized for additional support and durability. Some socks even have foot beds that are padded and with arch supports.

All in all, a good soccer uniform is one that best suits your particular needs, style and budget. It all depends on the choices you make, so make the best ones.

For more great soccer uniform related articles and resources check out http://socceruniform.info

How To Improve Footwork Soccer Skills

                

 

Anyone can improve footwork soccer skills by performing easy and simple footwork soccer drills.

Here's an example of a soccer drill to improve footwork soccer skills:

ZigZag Drill (speedwork)

Set up a series of five to seven cones, flags, or other objects as markers in a zigzag and mark the beginning and end of the course with two pylons at each end.

Step1: There should be five yards between the beginning of the course and the first zigzag marker, between each of the zigzag markers, and between the final zigzag marker and the end of the course.
Step2: Have two players run the course together.
Step3: When they start, they sprint to the each marker and they must touch beside the marker with their near foot (the left foot for P1 and the right foot for P2).
You can see a diagram of this drill here:
http://soccerdrillstips.com/footworksoccerdrills.html

You can change the angle of the turn the players make by widening out the markers, so you can have them practice turning at more acute angles.

The ability of a player to change directions quickly is fundamental to the game of soccer and this will help them learn to adjust their stride to compensate for foot placement and turning. In this drill, they need to see every marker as a ball.

Yours in soccer,

Andre Botelho

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of footwork soccer and coaching. His web site, www.soccerdrillstips.com provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on how to improve soccer skills and make training more fun and interesting

The Ultimate Soccer Experience For Greeks

                

 

During the 2004 summer, my home country, Greece had the privilege to be the protagonist in two extremely important and prestigious events in the nation's sports history; the EURO 2004 Soccer Championship and the 2004 Olympic Games. In the EURO 2004 Soccer Championship, the National Soccer Team of Greece gained the title as the new European Soccer Championship and by hosting successfully the 2004 Olympic Games, has proven to the world that it can surpass even the wildest expectations of its critics.

When Theodoros Zagorakis, the Greek national soccer team captain, lifted the Cup of the EURO 2004 Championship, every Greek, all over the world, felt proud to belong to this nation. It is difficult to describe the overwhelming feeling everyone felt that night when the Greek soccer team managed to defeat the national Portuguese soccer team in their homeland, at the national stadium in Lisbon, with a single goal. That hot summer evening, every Greek, man or woman, child or elder, was viewing the most anticipated game in the Greek sports history. The strong heartbeat everyone felt that night was one of the most important moments in every Greek's life.

Soccer is still the beloved sport of Greece and with this unexpected result soccer has managed to overcome social obstacles of age, politics and gender, shaping a new game identity. Nothing similar has ever happened to Greeks. Nothing as powerful, as that single scream of joy, has ever in the contemporary Greek sports history, united so dynamically this nation. For days after this accomplishment, Greeks were still unable to believe the outcome of their national soccer team's efforts and everyone felt the need to celebrate again and again their enormous success. For many critics, extremely important, if not more than the players' efforts, was the presence of Mr. Otto Rehhagel, the German coach of the Greek national soccer team, who managed to become the most familiar and friendly face in the Greek public surpassing the fame and status of all of his Greek soccer colleagues. His management style, his personality and his persistence, became a new national anthem for Greeks, who have made his profile the modern icon for an ancient Greek god.

In this particular meaningful sport event, every Greek felt like their support was projected in the field and their presence felt by the players, influencing every result in the series of the games played, reaching its peak during the final. From the known myths of sports, the 12th man was the classic illusion that promoted the spectators' wishing, screaming and cheering. The eleven contemporary heroes of the Greek national soccer team extended Greece's political culture to its undiscovered limits and cultivated the publics' belief in the 'hidden star-quality' that could illuminate once again everyone's life, as long as opportunity evolves and timing is right. These eleven stars, won a distinct place in the hearts of every Greek, transforming themselves to role models, resembling to the fame and prestige of ancient warriors. From the battlefields of this European Soccer Championship, this team's perseverance, effort and consistency, played the most crucial role in the turnout. Thus, the Greeks will value every minute of those athletes' accomplishment, in many years to come.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Sports, Fitness, and Games

Soccer Brothers

                

 

Do you remember the famous movie of the early 80s "the Blues Brothers" with Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. The two heroes were able to overcome all the obstacles in their way and to avoid their pursuers until the last scene of the film. "They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God" was the tagline of the film. The current Brazilian national soccer team, which plays at the World Cup in Germany, reminded me of the Blues Brothers. Although they prefer samba music to blues, they seem to be unstoppable and although they are not on a mission from God their religiosity is obvious.

The Brazilian players often pray and some of them wear T-shirts with religious slogans under their uniforms. Lucio, one of the team's best defenders was wearing a T-shirt with the message ?Jesus loves you? in last World Cup's final game in Yokohama. Kaka, a talented midfielder wears similar T-shirts, while Ze Roberto another midfielder according to the Columbian newspaper "El Pais" plans to become a pastor of the Evangelical Church. Another Brazilian, Luis Felipe Scolari, who is the coach of the national team of Portugal, has chosen for his team a training center in Marienfeld close to a 12th-century monastery, in order for him to visit it every morning and pray.

Brazilians are not the only religious players in the World Cup. Saudi Arabian players, who have reduced their prayers from five to three during the first phase of the World Cup, have special stickers on the furniture of their rooms showing the direction to Mecca in order to motivate their prayers. They also celebrated their first goal against Tunisia with a short prayer to their God. The Iranian national team asked for a special room dedicated to prayer in their hotel in Friedrichshafen and to the dismay of their coach they gave up hours of sleep before their first game against Yugoslavia to participate in a long, late-night Islamic ceremony held to mourn a seventh-century Shiite Muslim saint.

The organizing committee locked the chapels that are located in the Olympiastadion in Berlin and in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen so as to avoid criticism for religious racism, but the question remains, "Does praying and strong belief affect the players' performance?" Legendary veteran player Pele, who won the Cup three times, straightens out the issue with his statement. "I never prayed to win a game or to score. My first care was to remain healthy and after that I was praying to God that a match shouldn't finish without a score (0-0)". Lucio, on the other hand, supports that "the team that gives God the utmost glory deserves to be the champion in the World Cup 2006". Time will tell which of this year's World Cup teams will make it to be the World Champion of 2006, but one thing is for sure. Soccer funs will have the opportunity to admire the world's best soccer players' score, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Religion, Employment, and Society

Improving Soccer Skills With Soccer Training Gear

                

 

The main objective when playing the game of soccer is to score a goal in the opposing teams? net and bypassing the goalie. This skill requires a great deal of practice, and a certain portion of muscle training and memory that needs to be acquired over time. With the proper soccer training gear, this goal can be accomplished, while improving other aspects of a player?s soccer skills as well.

New technology in the field of sports training is constantly improving and expanding, but growing as a player ultimately comes down to the fundamentals and repetition. One soccer training device eliminates much of the time spent on retrieving out-of-play balls, allowing practice to become easier as a solo activity, rather than having a constant need to either chase balls yourself, or have a partner do it for you. This simple training device allows more time to be spent on practicing the basics of kicking, and goal placement.

Strength and endurance is another key aspect for all players to possess in order to be optimal soccer players, since a great majority of the 45 minute halves is spent running up and down the soccer field. The ability to outrun an opponent is crucial, and another soccer training device can aide players in doing just that. A rubber band-like cord that ties around the athletes waste, and is secured into the ground, offers resistance training and explosiveness when it comes to racing an opponent on the soccer field.

For some of the skills necessary to become an improved soccer player, training gear may not even be necessary. Going back to the skills learned as a child when first taught how to play the game of soccer, may be some of the best training equipment one can have. Practicing juggling and controlling the ball, quick feet to ball movements, and even just dribbling the ball while running can be some of the best training gear an athlete can have. The saying goes ?Practice makes perfect?, but essentially, it?s more along the lines that ?Practice make permanent?. Repetition and control over the soccer ball without even having to think about it is what will make anyone a better soccer player.

Dana Bradley writes about Pros sport Memorabilia coupons and Fans Edge Coupon Codes.

World Cup Soccer - Group A predictions for the World Cup Football tournament in Germany

                

 

World Cup group A places the home nation Germany against Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland in a relatively easy group from which they should comfortably qualify.

Although the German team is not thought to be up to the standard of their previous victorious teams, bookmakers currently have them as joint second favourites behind Brazil, and they must be respected as possible winners on home soil.

It is difficult to see any of their three opponents being able to challenge them as Group A winners and it would appear that Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland are competing for a chance to qualify in second spot.

History tells us that when the competition is played in Europe, the European nations tend to outperform the sides visiting from other continents. This coupled with Poland's impressive qualification from a difficult European qualifying stage must make the Poles most likely to progress along with the Germans. For the Poles, who will have an army of travelling supporters, the first game will be massively important, and a win over Ecuador in that game should ease their passage to the second stage.

Ecuador are a talented but temperamental outfit who must be respected, because on a good day they can match most national sides. Germany 2006 is only the second finals they have reached and they will be keen to add to their single victory from Japan 2002. Discipline may be a factor for Ecuador, and the strict refereeing of the Finals may not suit them.

Costa Rica will most probably be the groups whipping boys, first up for them is Germany in the tournament's opening game, a game they can't really expect to gain points from. Their second game against Ecuador will be the one that decides whether or not they can progress further in the Cup, and should provide good entertainment as both sides like to attack, sometimes at the detriment to their defensive duties.

It is difficult to see any other outcome than Germany topping Group A. Poland should take the second spot if successful in their first match versus Ecuador, but anything less than a win for them will give the edge to Ecuador. Costa Rica will probably sit at the foot of the table, unless they produce a couple of shocks...

Norbert Wartle is a soccer writer for Football England and will be covering the Fifa World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Norbert also covers the England Football Team matches.

Barcelona soccer stars, how they made this famous team a champion.

                

 

Barcelona won his 17th title at the Campeonato Nacional de la Liga (National League Championship), thanks to the famous soccer player Samuel Eto'o. The player native from Cameroon scored a remarkable goal becoming a determinant piece during the championship.

On the other hand, Ronaldinho who has been considered the best player of the year a couple of times and also the best player of the past championship was less notable in this occasion, but he was a hard opponent for his rivals. He showed again his domain like the goals scored at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, which allowed the Barcelona team to win one more point over the Real Madrid.

But, we can not continue with this journal without mention the hard work developed from the defense Deco, who has been one of the soccer championship attractions. For Puyol, this is the first title with Barcelona.

Other important Barcelona soccer players are the Mexican Rafael M?rquez, who was motivated to be an essential part in getting the title and Victor Vald?s defending the frame being one of the most important position during the match. Undoubtedly, Barcelona is one of the teams that show good soccer and strength in the middle of the camp, they deserve this title, congratulations!

Jill Woods is part of the skill writers' team on sports for the gambling industry at I Bet IAS Sportsbook. Feel free to reprint this article just as it is posted.

world cup soccer

                

 

Who will be ready and poised to win the world cup of soccer this year? Many bets are already being placed. Is it that you have a favorite team or maybe a favorite player that will make you sure that's what is needed.

The world cup is a very much watched sport especially in Europe. It will and can unite the world. The spectators take to the street to celebrate with dancing, partying and drinking. They will rejoice the victory of their favorite team and players.

What makes the World Cup particularly extraordinary is the national pride that it inspires. World Cup history was not only about the winner or winning the title, but about the stories. Stories of players, teams and nations that surprised the world by achieving the unexpected. Each year new and better players are there before our eyes to see the great plays that have brought them to the game they and so many of us have come to enjoy so much. There will be a lot of celebrating and some regrets.

We will all look forward to seeing the favorites we have gotten to know so well over the years. The thrill of winning with many individual feats demostrated for all of us to witness. The way our favorite team will once again come together to play so well we often wonder on that first game seeing this how they ever could loose. Will the European contenders such as Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, England, Germany, Spain, and France have the best team to overcome the South American power forces from Brazil and Argentina, or will the world be dancing to the samba beat again this year?

Armed with impossible hope, win or lose, they are there to defend their national pride, and valiantly defend it they will, sometimes to the very chagrin and amazement of disbelieving onlookers.

As football fans across all continents count down to the opening day of 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, BetUS Sportsbook has launched its 2006 World Cup betting portal for soccer betting enthusiasts around the world. What a day it shall be, June 9th 2006! What a month it shall be, until the truth will set us all free on July 9th 2006!

For more information, please visit http://www.worldcupsoccer4you.com

Barbara Farrar is an avid socceer fan. She played in high school and college

Betting Highlights, soccer betting situation winner football picks

                

 

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 7 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

Weekend soccer gambling bonanza part 3. Yesterday ecobika gave you winner football picks again! Especially -> Mainz's victory vs. Schalke was fine. Very simple betting situation in soccer Serie A Italy preultimo round. 2 rounds to go yet, including this one. Fiorentina (v Reggina), Roma (v Treviso), and Milan (in Parma) are in must win situations. Ecobika would suggest to play all these games in -> football accumulator, or combo if you like -> Fiorentina, Roma, Milan. Roma and Fiorentina are in fight for the 4th, yet Champions League spot. Most likely Juventus will win the Scudetto and hard to imagine that Palermo takes this game seriously, the players are on vacation, at least your heads and feets. (Last round: Palermo v Roma 4-4, what a funny result it was.) Only one more game is interesting: Internazionale v Siena. Siena need one point to survive for sure, keep an eye on upsetting ,,fall apart" Internazionale, whose 3rd spot is 99.9% sure. The rest: Messina should win, but then should win in the last round too and hope Siena not to make a point, therefore not adviced to bet Messina v Empoli.

Big excitement in the Premiership. Both the second and fourth places are not sure yet. West Ham v Tottenham, the Hammers made enough upset -> West Ham to win AH 0:0. This bet is winner, if West Ham wins, and loser, if Spurs wins, moneyback on draw. Certainly, the draw could mean that Tottenham losing the Champions League spot, because Arsenal in more than explosive form and Wigan will not play for anything (?). The candidates for the second place are MU and Liverpool. Manchester United has 1 point advantage. Ecobika thinking about NO UPSETs -> MU and Liverpool to win. The remaining matches will be played, you can count as many upsets, as you can.

Not easy to calculate the chances in Bundesliga2, where the preultimo round (round before the last round) is taking place. Crossing ways: Offenbach v Cottbus, the home side needs some points not to be relegated, the away side to be promoted. UPSETs -> Cottbus to win. If Cottbus not able to win, F?rth with a win v Rostock, could jump as close, as possible to Cottbus! Oddsmakers think about F?rth and Dynamo Dresden v Ahlen as sure home wins, but do not forget that -> Dresden should win both the remaining games to survive.

Also preultimo round in Primera Division. Barcelona already won the title, but the second place is open yet. Ecobika thinks that Real Madrid is hungry enough to win -> against very disappointed Villarreal.. Very hard to say anything about the relegation, the candidates are too close to call. -> Maybe Alaves makes upset in Zaragoza. In theory big matchup Racing Santander v Osasuna, the home side is fighting against relegation, meanwhile Osasuna can end 3rd, or, without luck, on the 5th spot! I think that Santander needs the points.

European Basketball betting. My friends, ecobika has bad news: on Thursday Bamberg was able to loose by 11 points after led by 15 in halftime. This means that my favorite league, Basketball Bundesliga is also about big bettingmoney...Certainly, now the top favorites play at home and will -> not play upsets, of course...But ecobika do not waste money on German Bundesliga playoff anymore. But matches across Europe, check gamebookers' odds, you'll find the correct odds.

Tennis betting, and as generally, ecobika's advice: do -> bet on the favorites.

The all time goldmine betting source, the AFL Australian Football League season in the 6th round already. gamebookers offer very good odds on Carlton v Collingwood -> Collingwood to win. Start: 06.10 CET! Also seems banker in AFL: Kangaroos.

The MLB baseball season started a few weeks ago and most of the MLB moneylines are good bets, if you play simple the favorites with gamebookers' odds!

However, the ball is round, good luck with your soccer picks. Bet with confidence, bet with gamebookers ecobika do the same. sportbetting guru

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 7 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

Success Lessons From Soccer - How To Win or Lose In The Game Of Life

                

 

Soccer matches are all about scoring goals and being winners. As a result, soccer can hold up a mirror to life since many humans also want to achieve goals and to be winners in the game of life. There is much to be learned about life in general from soccer players, managers and commentators.

When you listen to commentators on soccer matches, the key words they use again and again when teams are winning are words about character and attitude like belief, excitement, confidence, effort and so on. Soccer skills and strategies are important but mean little without the right attitude. Team managers urge their players to show focus, determination and maximum effort. They tell them they should expect to win and not to show too much respect for their opponents no matter how famous they are. I love listening to the comments of the great soccer managers. They have all been to hell and back. They are praised and popular when their teams win. They are criticised and even sacked when their teams fail to win. They know the heights of elation and the depths of despair. They have to find ways to deal with both and to keep motivating their teams to win. Gordon Strachan took over as manager of Celtic, one of the top two clubs in Scotland, in 2005. It was not long before he experienced "the worst night of my life" Bratislava beat Celtic 5-0 in the Champions league, the top European competition. His watch stopped after the match and he still wears it to remind himself that it was the worst night of his life. Celtic, the pride of Scotland, had been humiliated by a less famous team. Other failures seemed small to him by comparison. We can all learn to deal with difficult situations by reminding ourselves of worst situations in our past or by imagining how much worse our lives could be than they actually are. None of us knows for sure what will happen to us tomorrow. We could be seriously ill or even dead. Gordon has faced this possibility already. He told the media that on his gravestone he would like these words carved: "This is better than that night in Bratislava." He uses the humour of exaggeration to deal with the criticisms of the media when things go wrong. A reporter commented when his team lost a match in Scotland: "Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it? " "No," said Strachan. "I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe jump off a bridge. Hmmm?.

I think I can take it, yeah." He knows the importance of positive thinking if you wish to achieve success. One reporter foolishly asked: "There's no negative vibes or negative feelings here?" Strachan replied: "Apart from yourself, we're all quite positive round here. I'm going to whack you over the head with a big stick; down negative man, down." Strachan often speaks with disarming honesty and schoolboy cheek. He is ready to admit that he and his players are not always at their best. He is ready to face reality. Facing up to reality is a key characteristic of the successful. When he managed a team in England, a reporter asked him: "So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today?" Strachan replied: "What areas? Mainly that big green one out there...." Strachan has had his defeats but recently he has led his latest team, Celtic, to undisputed victory in the Scottish Premier League. He is widely accepted as a great manager. Another great manager now works in the English Premier League. He is Jose Mourihno, the manager of Chelsea. He came to England in June 2004 and soon showed his confidence in himself and his players. He wants only to be judged by the results. A good manager wins. A bad one loses: "I'm not a defender of old or new football managers. I believe in good ones and bad ones; those that achieve success and those that don't. Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one" He soon proved himself to be a 'special one' in England as well as in Portugal, his native country. As the name 'the special one' suggests he believes in himself in a big way. A key factor in his success in England is his self-belief and a rich Russian backer who allows him to buy the best players in Europe. You can safely bet money that Chelsea will win almost all their matches. The odds are not great but you could put ?100 on Chelsea to win and make an easy ?26 from your bet. Of course, this does not always work out. No team is perfect! Mourinho is passionate about soccer but retains his sense of perspective and humour. Recently he was asked in London if he was concerned about losing the championship to his main rivals, Manchester United. His reply was typical of him: "No, I'm more concerned about bird 'flu."

The assembled press started laughing. "Seriously; it's that swan in Scotland that concerns me. It's not that far from here!" (The swan was the first creature with bird 'flu in the UK in 2006) Over the last few weeks, his team, Chelsea, have been criticised for having players sent off for breaking the rules. When Jose was asked about his success away from home against West Brom, he commented ironically: "Maybe we won because we played with ten men. That is our best tactic at the moment." However, he realises that the main reason Chelsea win so often is as follows:

"We have top players and, sorry if I'm arrogant, we have a top manager." Public confidence is so rare in the UK that it is often mistaken for arrogance. Jose does not believe in having favourites; he believes in the power of the team rather than the individual: "I don't want special relations with one of them (his players). I hate to speak about individuals. Players don't win you trophies, teams win trophies, squads win trophies." Another great manager is Harry Redknapp of Portsmouth. He commented about his players in a match with Burnley which ended in a 2-2 draw: "When the crowd was on their backs no one wanted to try anything in case they got booed. They were defensive and wanted to avoid mistakes." Harry understands human psychology. If we are too worried about appearing foolish or making mistakes we will fail to make things happen and we will not make full use of our abilities. We go into our shells and play safe. I remember feeling like this when I played cricket at school. I tried to avoid being anywhere near the ball in case I dropped a catch. It was many years before I realised that I was quite good at catching! A commentator remarked: "Harry knows how to get his teams going and how to restore their confidence. Now they expect to win at Fratton Park (the Portsmouth ground). They firmly believe they will win." Recently they have won three games in a row and are on their way to escaping relegation to a lower division. Another manager, Stuart Pierce, of Manchester City also knows the importance of confidence: "We need to go out and really believe we can play a bit." What key success lessons can we learn from the above? Skill is important but attitude is even more important. We should expect to win and not show too much respect for the obstacles in our path whether they are human or otherwise and whether they are real or imaginary. We need to believe in our own ability and expect to win even if this makes us seem arrogant. We should handle failures by reminding ourselves that things could be much worse. Retaining our sense of humour also helps. Teamwork is a key factor in many types of achievement. We should not be worried about making mistakes whether we are playing soccer or cricket or the game of life. We need to face up to reality and be willing to be judged by the results we achieve as well as the effort we put in. On the whole, I think, that the effort we expend is more important. We cannot always control the results but we can control the effort we put in. The same manager can lose with one team and win with another. He is still the same person and he still made the same efforts. I'll leave you with a final quote from Gordon Strachan who has been both a winning and a losing manager: A reporter asked: "Gordon, can we have a quick word?" "Velocity", replied Gordon as he walked off. About the author John Watson is an award winning teacher and fifth degree black belt martial arts instructor. He has recently written several books about achieving your goals and dreams. One of these can be found here http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

John Watson is an award winning teacher and 5th degree martial arts instructor. One of his motivational ebooks can be found at http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

Betting soccer and basketball predictions - 5 winner picks

                

 

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Tuesday, 28 of February.

soccer picks

Pick: Port Vale v Scunthorpe looks home win in League One England. If you are uptodate with the latest injuries, yellow cards and redcards, players forms, the lower leagues soccer is your football gambling, especially if Live soccer betting available.

Also looks super soccerbet: Greeece to win v Belarus, played in Cyprus. Bet soccer livebetting.

Tennis betting, but be careful with the first rounds, best bet to avoid...

European Basketball betting: Playoff Quarterfinals start with the first matches in Sweden with Akropol v ?resundskraft, Plannja v 08 Stockholm, Solna v Norrk?ping. Also quarterfinal in ULEB Cup, the home teams are clear favorites, except perhaps Crvena Zvezda, matchup playing at home with Dynamo Moscow. gamebookers team, Aris is underdog away! In Australia, the Grand Final third match in National Basketball League, NBL. This is best-of-five serie, but hardly imagine that 3 matches will decide! Sydney Kings v Melbourne Tigers (beginning: 09.45CET), seems home win, but Tigers leads 2-0.

However, the ball is round, good luck with your soccer picks. Bet with confidence, bet with gamebookers ecobika do the same. soccer predictions

soccer predictions basketball tips: soccer predictionsSweden Basketball Playoff series

Why Coach Soccer? And How To Have Fun.

                

 

 by: Richard Kerr-Bell

Warren Buffet might not know soccer, but when he said, "Tell me your heroes and I'll tell you how your life will end up", he was onto something.

When it comes to coaching, everyone wants a say but few are willing to turn their words into action and take a team even under 8s which is where yours truly started.

How can You enjoy coaching soccer? Let me count the ways:

1. Coach your kids and you get to spend more time with them at something you can help them have fun at AND enjoy mastering new skills.

2. Coaching young people of any age gives you the opportunity to have a massive and important influence on the future of your community and country! This is not just talk. Ask any adult who has played sport for a while and there is a good chance the had great people who were their coaches.

3. You will be remembered for all the right reasons and kids will copy your example. There are no less than 3 great coaches I remember until I left town at 17. Mr Nicolas (Fatherly man who really cared and It was much appreciate) Mr Edgar (fantastic accent I still havent mastered but he was fair and encouraging), and lastly Bobby Feed the Bear Mutter (A burly Scotsman whose belief in me propelled my confidence sky high, I can still hear him call, Whos the boss Richard? Show him whos the boss!

4. You get to develop skills in something you have a passion for and coaching soccer skills is full of challenge and rewards.

5. Get a life! No longer wandering the streets looking for something or sitting in front of the TV, rock up to your local soccer club or school and Im sure there will be opportunities to add a new dimension to your life and the lives of others.

6. Build contacts in your community and neighborhood. If you coach kids they have parents and they have lives too that may provide a way to help you with something in your life.

7. Leadership, responsibility, and commitment all have their own rewards and these are abundant when you coach soccer.

8. If you are a player in a club you get praise from members in the club, you get on the in with the other coaches in case you wanted to advance a career in this way, and you get some equipment to use whenever you want to improve your own game.

9. It will add to your attractiveness to employers as coaching soccer or any sport, shows the attributes above. These are easily re-worded to suit the job type. E.g. Active Member of my Community. It shows commitment, reliability, purpose, and that you can get out of bed in the morning.

10. Personal satisfaction. Winning your competition, one game, or having kept a bunch of people happy and off the streets. Plus you are involved doing what you love, Soccer (sport).

I once coached soccer at a local high school and these young boys (11 and 12 yrs) came to class with short black pen marked on the top of their wrists and hands What is that for?, I asked, Were Mr. Kerr-Bell they said! Never under estimate your power.

There are many coaching videos, courses (often run by your local Soccer Club), books and other coaches to help you. A good way to start is to support the coach, be a manager, or gear minder person and learn that way. Showing up to practices to help is also useful.

Coaching soccer is a full on commitment that reflects everything the Real Madrids and Manchester United coaches experience (except the money and chance off being replaced if you lose!)

So enjoy the rush of excitement and adrenaline that coaching gives on matchday

(PS. Look up soccer club directory online in the search box or thumb through your phonebook to find a club near you.)

Get out there coaching soccer and make a difference and remember, if you are there for the game or kids... you have already won.

By Richard Kerr-Bell

richlife@xtra.co.nz

www.training-soccer-expert.com

Richard Kerr-Bell has played soccer for 32 years and coached for 12. He currently coaches at the Academy of Sport for the Otago Polytechnic.

Rich@training-soccer-expert.com

The Need For Speed In Soccer

                

 

 by: Neil Travers

You only have to watch a senior professional game of football to recognise the importance that speed has in the game. But there is more to speed than meets the eye.

Soccer players are athletes, but unlike a 100m runner where there is explosive speed for 10 seconds in a straight line, there are many other abilities that soccer players need to develop.

Here are 5 key soccer related speed abilities that you should develop in your players.

1 - Speed of thought

Soccer players have a great deal to concentrate on. There senses are constantly being blitzed with information, which they need to quickly decipher. Here are some examples:

• Where opponents are positioned

• Actions of their team mates

• What's infront of them and their peripheral vision

• The conditions of the pitch and the weather

• The noise from team mates, crowd, coaches and opponents

• Their tactical position and the strategy of the team

2 - Speed of anticipation

Some players have a great reading of the game. I have a friend who although he is now in his late 40's early 50's still plays regularly and competes well with players half his age!

How does he do this... because he's played soccer all his life at professional and international level he has built a huge database in his brain of playing situations, player characteristics, tactical situations etc. and he is able to draw on this which gives him superb speed of anticipation.

Sure for explosiveness and reaction times the younger players would win every time, but as the old saying goes..."the first couple of yards are in the head!".

So here it is important that players develop a knack of interpreting the actions of the opponents and what that means to the games development.

3 - Speed of reaction

As mentioned in the last bullet, speed of reaction is vital.

Anticipation is one thing, being able to react quickly is another.

Consider the role of the goal keeper, their reaction time to a sudden shot, deflection, switch in angle of attack, flight of the ball must be very acute.

But how does a goal keeper react and what to? In this instance, the goal keeper will react to a number of external stimuli, here's a list:

• The visual element of the opponent with the ball, are they carrying it, have they got backlift as if ready to strike the ball, is the opponent in space and is their a clear line of sight on goal

• The auditory element, do they hear the strike of the ball, is it fizzing, does it take a deflection of a player (thud), a shout from a team mate, maybe a close opponent barracking the goalie " he's going to shoot!"

All of these stimuli will have an effect on the player.

Once stimulated the player should choose the best option available to them to react to that situation.

Again we will use the goalie;

If a shot is fizzing towards them low and hard, the pitch is wet and quick, and there are a number of players the ball has to go through before hitting the target, do they get down low anticipating a clear strike on goal, have quick feet and get their body in line with the expected flight path, do they dive towards the ball, kneel or hack the ball?

The answer to this question lies in the ability, confidence and experience of the player.

4 Speed of feet

Here we are talking about the basic running / sprinting motor skills.

Initial explosion and acceleration are vital to covering the ground quickly. Speed of feet is without the ball, and since it is without the ball it is rarely in a straight line.

Therefore, as a players progress is often inhibited by other players they must adjust and change direction in relation to their team mates actions and those of the opponents.

Explosive speed is generated from the leg muscles stretching and contracting to achieve maximum power, but good running technique, driving through the arms and co-ordination are also vital.

5 Skill speed

Watching a player run at pace and carry the ball is a truly awesome sight.

Sprinting full out while keeping possession and holding off any challenges from opponents to dribble and create an opportunity to shoot at goal is a tremendous ability.

This key skill though is still built on the last point which is speed of feet.

However, while a player may be very quick is only advantageous if their ball manipulation and technical skills are as up to speed as their pace (pardon the pun).

So, what can you do to help coach the 5 key speed principles?

1 Speed of thought - enable players to make their own decisions, that means give them lots of opportunites to make choices. Condition games so that it forces them to think.

Play soccer games with them, don't just do drill work. By playing games they will also gain experience which help them build their database from which to draw on.

Keep them motivated, players will not think unless they are motivated and stimulated to do so. Finally, let them be free of any fear and stress of making wrong decisions.

2 Speed of anticipation - play more soccer, coach them through the game.

Ask plenty of questions on how they are reading the game development.

Offer your insights into positions they have taken up in relation to opponents advances, both strengths and weaknesses.

3 Speed of reaction - use reaction balls, have goal keeper starting positions with their back to play and react to shots, play rebounds off walls.

Try not to use your whistle or command as the key for the reaction as this wouldn't happen in a real game so don't practice this way.

4 Speed of feet - always, always warm the muscles up before doing any speed work!

Do some sprints, keep it high intensity with short sharp bursts. Develop good running technique with the use of speed ladders and hurdles.

Try using some different starting positions to like standing, from a jump and land, on their back, on their stomach, incorporate turns, feints and directional changes.

5 Skill speed - make your training as game related as possible, focusing on speed with the ball, movement, game related distances and challenge.

Hopefully this has given you some good food for thought, enjoy your training! http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com

Neil Travers

Join our FREE soccer Tip of the Week and discover more hints, tips and techniques to improve your coaching and your teams performance. Vist Junior Soccer Coach today: - http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com

Soccer Live Betting

                

 

 by: Winder Liao

Live betting is one of the main sources of income for the bookmaker why?

Well before the match starts there is always large publicity about the coming fixtures for Live matches. They are often 2 strong team facing each other and they are most likely to be telecast throughout the world. Why? It is because a lot of people likes to bet on sports that they are able to view live especially those recreation punters who gets real kick watching their favourites team play and also big-time soccer punters who bet 30K-50K per match. There is the jalan bet or live betting bet and the half-time bet which make it more interesting and more variety for punters to bet. These live matches are matches where the bookmakers makes lots of money through the vigourish and not forgetting fixed match.

Observations

How to you identify whether the match is fixed?

1.) During the match observe the 1st 10 mins if any team scores, the match it is mostly fixed. They will score at the most unimaginable timing like within 30 seconds or 3 mins are common signs.

2.) Pay attention to the speed of both team players. The team that will lose will tends to run slower than the other team. Another point to note is the team that is fixed to win they will fight with all their might to get to the ball and the one that is fixed to lose {note this also refers to team that gives ball but unable to cover the AH given} will miss even inches infront of the goal post. Sometimes the team that is fixed to lose will even score for the next team that is the own goal or they are extremely disorganised at the defence showing no effort in blocking the strikers attack.

3.) Not all footballers are great actors pay close attention to their body language, they will display great agonies while missing clear cut shots but their eyes are secretly laughing away some even had difficulty in controlling their facial expression ,occasionally they subconsciously look into the camera before diverting their eyes swiftly away.

4.) Coach odds decision to remove key players from the team substituting with a less superior player. Consider this why would a coach remove that particular key striker that has just scored the crucial goal and try to defend the 1 goal lead well within the early 50 or 60 mins.

5.) biased refeering decision. Legimate goals claimed as off-side, or clear penalty given as no foul are common signs. Giving unessary penalty to team that don't deserve it.

What to do when you know its fixed?

1.) Don't bet big when its livematches. Try to observe 1st before you bet then bet during the 2nd half as thats where the bookies tricks reveals itself.

2.) you need to master the art of odds decoding before you are capable of betting big.

3.) Don't fully trust what you see in the 1st half as what is obvious is often a trap.

4.) Do not doubt the odds, the odds posted are often set in a way to trap the average punters ,so try to mold your thinking like a bookie and you will see much clearer.

Best regards

Winder,Winder sports

http://www.geocities.com/winder21/winderexpertsoccerpicks.htm winder expert picks -Asian handicap specialist to european soccer fixtures.

http://www.windersports.com

winder sports portal -Your guide to winder's interest on sports : provides tips and techniques to improve your game.

winder21@yahoo.com

Lessons in Global Leadership: From the Soccer Field

                

 

Business leaders tasked with building international teams as part of their global expansion program should learn how its done on the soccer field. Where once national squads considered only domestic talent, many teams are increasingly becoming multinational. Even the captains are foreign. Here is an outsiders view on soccer and international leadership.

Zudig the Grand Master, is preparing his students for a years internship on planet Earth to learn about our ways. Todays lesson is about international leadership. Xandi, a bright but rebellious leadership student challenges Zudig. Eavesdropping on the conversation, we hear.

Xandi: Hmmm. So how do they celebrate winning?

Zudig: Oh, that half of the amphitheatre with the same colors as the man whos just put the leather globoid into the net, jump up and down, take off their top, jump on their heads, and wave arms about, make thrusting movements and then sit back down.

Xandi. What, just like those players in red and white have done?

Zudig. Thats right Xandi. Theyre from Zod.

Xandi. So why do they do that Zudig?

Zudig. Because the leader of the Zod team has successfully inspired them to score a win over Deng, the players in blue.

Xandi: Ah! I see. So the captain of the Zod team is that man over there, sitting down, not even playing hes the inspiration of it all?

Zudig:Thats right.

Xandi: But hes not even from Zod he has a Deng name! Why he is inspiring his players to play against the Dengs?

Zudig: Because that crowd over there with their faces painted the same color as the team from Zod have chosen him, and the players are happy to be led by such a leader.

Xandi: But the players are not even from Zod. Some are from Zupit, two are from Engis, three are from Bidu and the rest are from Midon!

Zudig: Yep. He has chosen his international team well, all experienced players who know the tactics of the other side. For that, he has rewarded them well, has inspired them to achieve great things, and knows they will deliver great results.

Xandi: OK, so let me get this. This crowd from Zod, who has just spend a whole day traveling to Midon, which is not even the home of the Dengs, have their faces painted, are jumping up and down, taking off their tops, jumping on their head, waving their arms about, making thrusting movements, are happy? And theyre happy because the team in red and white, who represent Zod, but are not from Zod but from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon have kicked a leather globoid into a fishing net, have scored a win over the Dengs, - and all this is inspired by that man sitting down over there, who is not from Zod either, but from Deng, but is elected by the crowds with painted faces from Zod to represent them, because he is the man who can provide inspirational leadership to the men from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon, who are very happy to play for Zod and score a win over Deng, because they have a great inspirational leader, and have been well motivated and rewarded?

Zudig: Uuuuuh! Yep, thats right. Its called international leadership building the right teams to achieve international success.

Xandi: That must be some leadership. Look. Hes even inspired them to kiss that metal cup. Dont they normally drink from cups?

Zudig: Youre right. But thats called sweet smell of success. Any more questions Xandi?

Xandi: Er, yes. In yesterdays lesson about commerce, you talked to us about how earthlings sell their products and services to each other. You told us that those companies that succeeded were those that achieved an international mindset, right?
Zudig: Yes, so whats the point Xandi?

Xandi: Well, I dont understand. If they achieve this level of success when kicking leather globoids around the pitch, and thats how the onlookers cheer them on, then why are leaders and shareholders not more open to building international teams? Surely, brand to the company is just as important as the national flags that are waved by spectators?
Zudig: Thats right.

Xandi: And surely, the teams that work to build that brand will best come from the markets they are selling into right? And surely, business leaders would by definition be leaders from other countries, experienced in managing international teams? So, why doesnt it happen more often? Better awareness of international markets equals better international performance? I rest my case!

Zudig the Grand Master, is preparing his students for a years internship on planet Earth to learn about our ways. Todays lesson is about international leadership. Xandi, a bright but rebellious leadership student challenges Zudig. Eavesdropping on the conversation, we hear.

Xandi: Hmmm. So how do they celebrate winning?

Zudig: Oh, that half of the amphitheatre with the same colors as the man whos just put the leather globoid into the net, jump up and down, take off their top, jump on their heads, and wave arms about, make thrusting movements and then sit back down.

Xandi. What, just like those players in red and white have done?

Zudig. Thats right Xandi. Theyre from Zod.

Xandi. So why do they do that Zudig?

Zudig. Because the leader of the Zod team has successfully inspired them to score a win over Deng, the players in blue.

Xandi: Ah! I see. So the captain of the Zod team is that man over there, sitting down, not even playing hes the inspiration of it all?

Zudig:Thats right.

Xandi: But hes not even from Zod he has a Deng name! Why he is inspiring his players to play against the Dengs?

Zudig: Because that crowd over there with their faces painted the same color as the team from Zod have chosen him, and the players are happy to be led by such a leader.

Xandi: But the players are not even from Zod. Some are from Zupit, two are from Engis, three are from Bidu and the rest are from Midon!

Zudig: Yep. He has chosen his international team well, all experienced players who know the tactics of the other side. For that, he has rewarded them well, has inspired them to achieve great things, and knows they will deliver great results.

Xandi: OK, so let me get this. This crowd from Zod, who has just spend a whole day traveling to Midon, which is not even the home of the Dengs, have their faces painted, are jumping up and down, taking off their tops, jumping on their head, waving their arms about, making thrusting movements, are happy? And theyre happy because the team in red and white, who represent Zod, but are not from Zod but from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon have kicked a leather globoid into a fishing net, have scored a win over the Dengs, - and all this is inspired by that man sitting down over there, who is not from Zod either, but from Deng, but is elected by the crowds with painted faces from Zod to represent them, because he is the man who can provide inspirational leadership to the men from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon, who are very happy to play for Zod and score a win over Deng, because they have a great inspirational leader, and have been well motivated and rewarded?

Zudig: Uuuuuh! Yep, thats right. Its called international leadership building the right teams to achieve international success.

Xandi: That must be some leadership. Look. Hes even inspired them to kiss that metal cup. Dont they normally drink from cups?

Zudig: Youre right. But thats called sweet smell of success. Any more questions Xandi?

Xandi: Er, yes. In yesterdays lesson about commerce, you talked to us about how earthlings sell their products and services to each other. You told us that those companies that succeeded were those that achieved an international mindset, right?
Zudig: Yes, so whats the point Xandi?

Xandi: Well, I dont understand. If they achieve this level of success when kicking leather globoids around the pitch, and thats how the onlookers cheer them on, then why are leaders and shareholders not more open to building international teams? Surely, brand to the company is just as important as the national flags that are waved by spectators?
Zudig: Thats right.

Xandi: And surely, the teams that work to build that brand will best come from the markets they are selling into right? And surely, business leaders would by definition be leaders from other countries, experienced in managing international teams? So, why doesnt it happen more often? Better awareness of international markets equals better international performance? I rest my case!

Trevor J. O'Hara, is the founder and president of Renarc, a consultancy that specializes in helping firms with international expansion. O'Hara is a seasoned internationalist, having lived and worked internationally for the last twenty years. Educated in Dublin, Oxford, Paris and Berlin, and with fluency in German, French and Spanish, O'Hara now speaks and writes internationally on how to achieve global success.