It's common knowledge that football is just as much a mental game as it is a physical game. Even if players have the best grasp of fundamentals and the best football training, it's worth nothing if they crack under pressure, or if they have mental, emotional and lifestyle issues outside of football that mess with their head in-game.
Bouncing back from a poor performance or handling negative emotions is something that comes from having your head on right, not just practicing drills up and down the field. If you want to get ahead of the game, you should spend as much time training your mind as you do your body.
By learning to manage stress, anxiety and other psychological aspects of the game, you can excel faster than your peers who just focus on the mechanics of football. Here are a few football training tips to help you do just that.
Football tip #1: Visualize the ball
Sure, you kick the ball around every day. But do you imagine yourself doing it, or do you just do it? Even when you're not on the field, use mental imagery to "practice" your football training. There are two ways you can do it: external visualization, where you imagine watching a movie of yourself playing football, or internal visualization, where you imagine playing as though you are actually doing it. This concept will help familiarize you with your task until you could do it half-asleep, with both hands tied behind your back.
Football tip #2: Relax, chill out, and calm down
Everybody gets nervous before something like a game or a performance. Unfortunately, anxiety can also muddle your thinking, which can cause you to make bad judgments on the field. If you're alert, but relaxed, you can make decisions better and faster when you're under pressure. Controlling your anxiety will go a long way to making you feel more confident in your game, because you'll know that it won't affect your performance. Take some time to relax before each game, and you'll find yourself a lot less stressed.
Football tip #3: Focus on your goals
Having both short-term and long-term goals for your football training will motivate you and give you something to strive for. If things don't seem to be improving and you don't have any goals, it's easy to get discouraged and consider quitting. The goals shouldn't be impossible, but they should definitely challenge you and force you to step up your game. Challenging yourself is the only way to consistently improve.
Football tip #4: Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate
Yes, it's easy to get distracted during a game. However, part of being a good player is overcoming that. Concentration drills can help you to improve your concentration and focus completely on the game. Not every drill works the same for everybody else. Some people are visual learners, some are audial learners. Find a drill or a pre-game ritual that works best for you.
By mastering your mental game, you can reduce your anxiety, overcome negative emotions, bounce back from a bad mistake, and make playing football a more enjoyable experience all
you can do it...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Football Formation..
In a soccer or football game, there are eleven players to a side. However if one reads any articles on the web or newspaper and hear or watch a review and match, there is always a formation mentioned for each match. What is a formation then, you may ask yourself?Basically it can be defined as a tactical system by which the team is organized and plays by for a match. Formation can be changed anytime during a match. Reasons for these changes could be due to injuries to players, tactical changes by the opposition, to protect a score or even to chase a game. Therefore it is not surprise to see several formative changes to it during the course of the match.
An important note in any formation, the only unchangeable aspect is the goalkeeper. Regardless of whatever formations obtained by a team, there must be a goalkeeper in the game. And he is the only legally allowed player in a match that can use his hands to collect, save or touch the ball in the six yards or penalty box. Hence he would be wearing gloves and a different color jersey from his team mates. This is another reason why all formations seen to be based on 10 outfield players since the goalkeeper is a compulsory player. Therefore formations can read 4-4-2, 5-4-1, 5-3-2 and 3-43 without mentioning the goalkeeper.
Since there are many formations, i would like to focus on the current basis for formation for most teams which is a 4-4-2. In layman terms, it means that other than one goalkeeper, there are four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. Here is a bit more complex as even in a 4-4-2, there can be attacking or defending methods or styles to it. To have a clearer picture, the 4-4-2 would have to be broken further.
In defense, there are usually four defenders which mean that there would be a left back (or left wing back / defender on the wing), two centre backs (central defenders) and a right back (or right wing back / defender on the right wing). In attack or possession of the ball usually or frequently, the left and right back would push up and join the attack while the two centre backs hang back to defend. While in a corner situation, the reverse happens, the two centre backs (chosen for their heights) would join in the opposition penalty box while the left and right back hang back in case of a counter attack.
In a defense situation, all four of them would form a line in front of the goalkeeper as the basis for the offside rule. Interestingly to note the depth of defensive line played would indicate how offensive the team would play; a higher line or closer to midfield can be often perceived as going into a more attacking mode. Secondly they would be defending the opposition players in the penalty box when there is an opposition corner.
Next up is to examine the midfield positions in a formation. It is quite similar to the defense where there are four midfielders as to four defenders in a 4-4-2. There are left midfield (or winger), two central midfielders (or defensive or attacking midfielder) and one right midfield (or winger). In a 4-4-2 system, the left and right wingers or midfield players would support the two strikers with crosses from their sides respectively. Frequently, they would also link up with the left back and right back to work the flank effectively. However, it must be stated not many wingers are famed for tracking back to defend. Hence there is a huge danger for allowing an opposition counter attack when possession is lost by the winger with the back in front of him.
As for the jobs of the central midfielders, one is usually employed as a holding or defensive midfielder in the modern game. His job is to protect the back four, break up the opposition attacks and win back the ball. In some sense, he is to be the enforcer or school yard bully. The other midfielder is usually employed in a more attacking sense to link up play between the defense, midfield and attack. The top midfielders in this aspect are sometimes known as playmakers since most of the attacks revolve around them. However they are not that easy to find in the top flights of soccer.
Finally the front line or usual goal poachers can be examined. There are many combinations for the strikers. Usually one frequent pairing is of a fast striker (small man) with a bulky striker (big man). The logic is that the bulky striker would head down, lay up the ball for his team mates or hold up the ball for his team mates to join him. As for the other striker, he would use his pace to get the lay up ball to break the opposition defensive line and find an opportunity to score. Some team may also employ four pacey strikers and wingers to break the opposition line by pace alone. One important thing to note here is that if the front two are of the same wave length, they would be extremely dangerous to the opposition.
Thus the above is simple explanation of a 4-4-2 formation and some of the roles of players in it.
other formation will be upload soon...:)
An important note in any formation, the only unchangeable aspect is the goalkeeper. Regardless of whatever formations obtained by a team, there must be a goalkeeper in the game. And he is the only legally allowed player in a match that can use his hands to collect, save or touch the ball in the six yards or penalty box. Hence he would be wearing gloves and a different color jersey from his team mates. This is another reason why all formations seen to be based on 10 outfield players since the goalkeeper is a compulsory player. Therefore formations can read 4-4-2, 5-4-1, 5-3-2 and 3-43 without mentioning the goalkeeper.
Since there are many formations, i would like to focus on the current basis for formation for most teams which is a 4-4-2. In layman terms, it means that other than one goalkeeper, there are four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. Here is a bit more complex as even in a 4-4-2, there can be attacking or defending methods or styles to it. To have a clearer picture, the 4-4-2 would have to be broken further.
In defense, there are usually four defenders which mean that there would be a left back (or left wing back / defender on the wing), two centre backs (central defenders) and a right back (or right wing back / defender on the right wing). In attack or possession of the ball usually or frequently, the left and right back would push up and join the attack while the two centre backs hang back to defend. While in a corner situation, the reverse happens, the two centre backs (chosen for their heights) would join in the opposition penalty box while the left and right back hang back in case of a counter attack.
In a defense situation, all four of them would form a line in front of the goalkeeper as the basis for the offside rule. Interestingly to note the depth of defensive line played would indicate how offensive the team would play; a higher line or closer to midfield can be often perceived as going into a more attacking mode. Secondly they would be defending the opposition players in the penalty box when there is an opposition corner.
Next up is to examine the midfield positions in a formation. It is quite similar to the defense where there are four midfielders as to four defenders in a 4-4-2. There are left midfield (or winger), two central midfielders (or defensive or attacking midfielder) and one right midfield (or winger). In a 4-4-2 system, the left and right wingers or midfield players would support the two strikers with crosses from their sides respectively. Frequently, they would also link up with the left back and right back to work the flank effectively. However, it must be stated not many wingers are famed for tracking back to defend. Hence there is a huge danger for allowing an opposition counter attack when possession is lost by the winger with the back in front of him.
As for the jobs of the central midfielders, one is usually employed as a holding or defensive midfielder in the modern game. His job is to protect the back four, break up the opposition attacks and win back the ball. In some sense, he is to be the enforcer or school yard bully. The other midfielder is usually employed in a more attacking sense to link up play between the defense, midfield and attack. The top midfielders in this aspect are sometimes known as playmakers since most of the attacks revolve around them. However they are not that easy to find in the top flights of soccer.
Finally the front line or usual goal poachers can be examined. There are many combinations for the strikers. Usually one frequent pairing is of a fast striker (small man) with a bulky striker (big man). The logic is that the bulky striker would head down, lay up the ball for his team mates or hold up the ball for his team mates to join him. As for the other striker, he would use his pace to get the lay up ball to break the opposition defensive line and find an opportunity to score. Some team may also employ four pacey strikers and wingers to break the opposition line by pace alone. One important thing to note here is that if the front two are of the same wave length, they would be extremely dangerous to the opposition.
Thus the above is simple explanation of a 4-4-2 formation and some of the roles of players in it.
other formation will be upload soon...:)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
World Cup 2010..
Yesterday, Bahrain lose to New Zealand for a ticket to World Cup final..i bet it will be expensive to accept the defeat...so Asian will be represent by Australia (if you can call them asia Country..), North Korea, South Korea and japan...
About New Zealand had quite impressive record recently in term of their sport achievements....they have qualified for world cup in Football and this morning, our Malaysian team defeated by New Zealand team 2-1. What a sad-sad story for Malaysia sport..also beaten by Uzbek in Asian Qualifying 3-1.
Well, i'm looking forward for next world cup..and i hope i can see England lift that trophy....For Malaysia...long way to go..
About New Zealand had quite impressive record recently in term of their sport achievements....they have qualified for world cup in Football and this morning, our Malaysian team defeated by New Zealand team 2-1. What a sad-sad story for Malaysia sport..also beaten by Uzbek in Asian Qualifying 3-1.
Well, i'm looking forward for next world cup..and i hope i can see England lift that trophy....For Malaysia...long way to go..
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Fact about football...
Football is a massive game...it being enjoy played and watched by billion of spectator or player..
if you ask ten people about whether they like/love watching/playing football..i can ensure you that out of 7 people will admit it...
Check out any mamak stall during weekend especially game that involved Man Utd, Real, Barca,Liverpool etc....it will pack of people..
2010..world cup in africa...i bet many malaysian will turn late to office in the morning...check out fact about football here here.
if you ask ten people about whether they like/love watching/playing football..i can ensure you that out of 7 people will admit it...
Check out any mamak stall during weekend especially game that involved Man Utd, Real, Barca,Liverpool etc....it will pack of people..
2010..world cup in africa...i bet many malaysian will turn late to office in the morning...check out fact about football here here.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Piala Malaysia 2009
I use to play football during my teenage time until i put it on hold about 5 years ago due to lack of free time...but i still love football..
Come weekend night, my family will have a small quarrel coz i want to watch EPL and they what to watch other stuff..(you know what??:)i bet Man utd going to win 4th EPL in a row..hehhe
We have our Piala Malaysia recently between Kelantan VS N.Sembilan. I want to take neutral side since the final was not involve my state but ....i chose N.Sembilan.
y??
because i dislike/H**e if kelantan win this tournement..n y is that?
Kelantan supporter proved time to time that they live in a jungle..and my prediction was right...n i admit, it not majority of them but there are some group that like to create ciaos n jeopardize others..imagine our kids saw this..
FAM should take sterm action against Kelantan FC management..so the history won't repeat...again n again. What a sad story..
Congrat to N.Sembilan..u won it by MILES.
Come weekend night, my family will have a small quarrel coz i want to watch EPL and they what to watch other stuff..(you know what??:)i bet Man utd going to win 4th EPL in a row..hehhe
We have our Piala Malaysia recently between Kelantan VS N.Sembilan. I want to take neutral side since the final was not involve my state but ....i chose N.Sembilan.
y??
because i dislike/H**e if kelantan win this tournement..n y is that?
Kelantan supporter proved time to time that they live in a jungle..and my prediction was right...n i admit, it not majority of them but there are some group that like to create ciaos n jeopardize others..imagine our kids saw this..
FAM should take sterm action against Kelantan FC management..so the history won't repeat...again n again. What a sad story..
Congrat to N.Sembilan..u won it by MILES.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
History lesson loh..
If we love something, we must know everything about it...i bet u don't..:) so , thru my research i found out that Soccer which is referred as "football association" in Wikipedia is a sport that has roots dating back to the 2nd and 3rd century. The earliest form is said to have originated in China; a game called "cuju". FIFA, the governing body of football, officially stated that China was the birthplace of its game in 2004.
In Rugby, they allowed players to kick opponents legs below the knees (which was banned in the later years), handling the ball was also permitted. Following this development, football and rugby split on December, 1863. The modern game of football was born in England with the formation of the F.A. (Football Association) which is the governing body of football in England. Ebenezer Cobb Morley was a founding member of the Football Association in which he stressed out the importance of a governing body for football. After the F.A. was established he laid down the "Laws of football" that implemented the rules the game is played today. On January 9th, 1864, the first exhibition football game was played at the Battersea Park. In only eight years, the F.A. had 50 member clubs and grew rapidly allowing a competition to emerge in 1972. The F.A. Cup is the first football competition and in England regarded as the most prestigious one. The 'Wanderers' were the first team to win the cup, beating the 'Royal Engineers' 1-0.
Football popularized slowly in other countries with the help of British influence. It was not until 1889, other countries (Netherlands and Denmark) would embrace this wonderful game. Football started growing rapidly with the following countries; New Zealand (1891), Argentina (1893), Chile, Switzerland, Belgium (1895), Italy (1898), Germany, Uruguay (1900), and Hungary (1901) adopting football associations of their own.
In 1904, FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) was formed in Paris to regulate international fixtures and there were seven founding members (France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). The first international football competition was introduced at the 1908 London Summer Olympics with Great Britain winning gold, Denmark silver and the Netherlands bronze. The emergence of World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) brought the growing sport to a halt resuming years after the war. By 1950, FIFA had 51 member countries. Before the creation of the World Cup (the most prestigious football competition), FIFA organized a football competition within the Summer Olympics. In 1930, FIFA would manage their own tournament in Uruguay; the host nation to be the first football team to have won the cup that would be the most spectated than any other professional tournament today.
Football today, is a much growing sport with 208 national teams recognized by FIFA, in addition there are thousands of club teams competing with each other in various leagues and cups for global dominance. The sport has become an addiction for many people around the world, helping nations and people get together as they cheer their team away hoping one day, their team will bring home a trophy. The future of football always has room for improvement and hopefully will grow interest in the U.S. as elsewhere. "Fair-play" is the name of the game.
In Rugby, they allowed players to kick opponents legs below the knees (which was banned in the later years), handling the ball was also permitted. Following this development, football and rugby split on December, 1863. The modern game of football was born in England with the formation of the F.A. (Football Association) which is the governing body of football in England. Ebenezer Cobb Morley was a founding member of the Football Association in which he stressed out the importance of a governing body for football. After the F.A. was established he laid down the "Laws of football" that implemented the rules the game is played today. On January 9th, 1864, the first exhibition football game was played at the Battersea Park. In only eight years, the F.A. had 50 member clubs and grew rapidly allowing a competition to emerge in 1972. The F.A. Cup is the first football competition and in England regarded as the most prestigious one. The 'Wanderers' were the first team to win the cup, beating the 'Royal Engineers' 1-0.
Football popularized slowly in other countries with the help of British influence. It was not until 1889, other countries (Netherlands and Denmark) would embrace this wonderful game. Football started growing rapidly with the following countries; New Zealand (1891), Argentina (1893), Chile, Switzerland, Belgium (1895), Italy (1898), Germany, Uruguay (1900), and Hungary (1901) adopting football associations of their own.
In 1904, FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) was formed in Paris to regulate international fixtures and there were seven founding members (France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). The first international football competition was introduced at the 1908 London Summer Olympics with Great Britain winning gold, Denmark silver and the Netherlands bronze. The emergence of World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) brought the growing sport to a halt resuming years after the war. By 1950, FIFA had 51 member countries. Before the creation of the World Cup (the most prestigious football competition), FIFA organized a football competition within the Summer Olympics. In 1930, FIFA would manage their own tournament in Uruguay; the host nation to be the first football team to have won the cup that would be the most spectated than any other professional tournament today.
Football today, is a much growing sport with 208 national teams recognized by FIFA, in addition there are thousands of club teams competing with each other in various leagues and cups for global dominance. The sport has become an addiction for many people around the world, helping nations and people get together as they cheer their team away hoping one day, their team will bring home a trophy. The future of football always has room for improvement and hopefully will grow interest in the U.S. as elsewhere. "Fair-play" is the name of the game.
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