There are a number of ways to improve the odds of your son or daughter earning a college scholarship for soccer. Some of them make sense, while others are a waste of time. As your son or daughter moves through high school there is a lot of discussion as to whether or not a college scholarship is attainable. Not only is it a possibility but it could be a real goal if the player in question concentrates on a few things at home, in the backyard.
"Set Goals." This is said a lot. Clearly, a player needs to set goals. But what should those goals be? There are a number of ideas as to which area of concentration will make a player better. Many people disagree on these points. And that's fine. There needs to be disagreement to reach the best possible answers. Some think fitness is the most important. Others think speed is the most important. If this is at the top of their list, they're wrong. Fitness and speed are absolutely necessary in order to being a complete player. There's no way around that. In part of my suggested training, the player should dedicate three nights a week to improving their forty yard dash and the hundred yard sprint. But, above anything else, a player with their eye on playing in college - regardless of their skill level - should concentrate on skills; improving them and keeping them at a high standard.
A few fast track suggestions are:
Limit the leg weights. Soccer players should concentrate on dribbling moves, sprints and jogging for lower body strength and endurance. Weights for the upper body are fine.
Get the juggle above 500.
Practice juggling every other day, for a 1/2 hour to an hour. Make sure both feet are being used. 70% feet. 20% thighs. 7% head and 3% shoulders. Or 8% head and 2% shoulders; whichever you prefer. Kidding. But make sure some headers and a few shoulder juggles are thrown in there. After a player reaches the marathon number of 500, then apply the skill to trick juggles which include the heel, outside of the foot, along with headers and shoulders. When doing trick juggles make sure they are done with success. Just flipping the foot out there, and not completing a "move" is unacceptable. If you're going to do it, then do it correctly. What do tricks have to do with the game? Very little, and quite a lot, all the same. They provide confidence for a player, which is the key to practicing them. Often, they will not be used in a game but mastering them provides more confidence to the fundamental skills.
Repeat the 30 plus dribbling moves ten times with each foot. Repeat every other day. Or, at least three nights per week.
Shooting and Passing...
For more, read Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet.
"Set Goals." This is said a lot. Clearly, a player needs to set goals. But what should those goals be? There are a number of ideas as to which area of concentration will make a player better. Many people disagree on these points. And that's fine. There needs to be disagreement to reach the best possible answers. Some think fitness is the most important. Others think speed is the most important. If this is at the top of their list, they're wrong. Fitness and speed are absolutely necessary in order to being a complete player. There's no way around that. In part of my suggested training, the player should dedicate three nights a week to improving their forty yard dash and the hundred yard sprint. But, above anything else, a player with their eye on playing in college - regardless of their skill level - should concentrate on skills; improving them and keeping them at a high standard.
A few fast track suggestions are:
Limit the leg weights. Soccer players should concentrate on dribbling moves, sprints and jogging for lower body strength and endurance. Weights for the upper body are fine.
Get the juggle above 500.
Practice juggling every other day, for a 1/2 hour to an hour. Make sure both feet are being used. 70% feet. 20% thighs. 7% head and 3% shoulders. Or 8% head and 2% shoulders; whichever you prefer. Kidding. But make sure some headers and a few shoulder juggles are thrown in there. After a player reaches the marathon number of 500, then apply the skill to trick juggles which include the heel, outside of the foot, along with headers and shoulders. When doing trick juggles make sure they are done with success. Just flipping the foot out there, and not completing a "move" is unacceptable. If you're going to do it, then do it correctly. What do tricks have to do with the game? Very little, and quite a lot, all the same. They provide confidence for a player, which is the key to practicing them. Often, they will not be used in a game but mastering them provides more confidence to the fundamental skills.
Repeat the 30 plus dribbling moves ten times with each foot. Repeat every other day. Or, at least three nights per week.
Shooting and Passing...
For more, read Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet.
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