Soccer Season Around the Corner..!

Just so you know, I love soccer. I mean....I really love it.

I've been playing since I can remember. When I was younger, there wasn't really much of a minor soccer league, unlike today in my home town of Dryden, Ontario. There were always a certain small group of kids from each age group that would show up and you'd barely be able to play a full sided game. Actually, I can't remember ever playing a full sided game in minor league.

Now a days, there's roughly 6 teams per division. Thanks to the efforts of a lot of people, especially one married couple, our minor soccer league has grown to be the largest participated sport in town (last time I checked anyway).

Seeing the growth in the sport, especially in our small town, has been great. Players coming up through the ranks are now well versed in positions, systems, and fundamentals. Where as, when I was coming up, it was all about hard work and pushing forward. Now, we're beginning to see the game the way it should be played. Smart, full of individual and team skill, and of course, hard work.

What gets me most excited, other than playing myself, is teaching and coaching players and seeing them grow and improve. One player I've coached since he was 10 years old, can juggle the ball 300 times in a row. I've only heard of one other player around here that's been able to do that, and he's way past his prime. This player has put in the time and practice to put himself, skill-wise, above the rest. He wants to be good.

There's other players, who like this one, have unbelievable skill and have put in the time and effort to become exceptional players. It hasn't come naturally to them. They've put in hard work and lots of time perfecting skills.

So if you too want to become an awesome soccer player, here's some tips:

1. Juggle every chance you get.

Not only will this improve your touch on the ball, which is crucial, you'll get in a little conditioning session while you're at it.

2. Use your other foot.

Any chance you get to touch the ball with your "not so good" or "weak" foot, do it. Soon enough that foot won't be so weak. But the only way it gets better is through constant repetition.

3. Run sprints.

Speed is the "X" factory in any sport. If you're fast, a coach will find a spot for you. The best way to get fast, is practicing running fast, or sprinting.

4. Improve your upper body strength.

If you don't want to get pushed off the ball, start getting stronger. Like Zach Even-Esh said, "Eat your pushups and pullups for breakfast". These are the two easiest exercises to do, without expensive equipment, to build upper body strength.

But if you really want to know the secret of becoming awesome at any sport, it's really simple.

Practice.

All the time.

The great players separate themselves from the good ones by doing work on their own. They constantly look for ways to get better and they go out and do them.

So get out there, and get to work.

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