How do professional footballers prepare for a match?

Your muscles produce heat as you exercise. Sweating is your body’s way of removing this heat to manage your temperature. If you replace the liquid lost as sweat, you’ll get dehydrated. Lose the equivalent of just 2% of your body mass and you’ll increase your body temperature, and reduce your mental and physical performance. You will also feel more fatigue after the game. Drinking an energy drink before, at half time and after a game is essential to keep your body functioning effectively for football fitness. However, water alone isn’t enough to maintain hydration. You’ll need an energy drink that also replaces salts and minerals lost through sweating.

Always start your training session in a hydrated state. You’ll be in good shape if you usually drink two litres of fluid over the course of the day, and drinking 350-500ml of fluid two hours before you train is good too. A great way to check your hydration is to monitor the colour of your urine. If it’s dark or highly concentrated, drink more fluid. Consume fluids containing the electrolyte sodium and/or amounts of salted snacks to stimulate your thirst and help you retain the fluid you’ve drunk.

Drinking lots of fluid at half time prevents significant dehydration and large changes in your electrolyte (principally sodium) balance. How much fluid you need to drink will depend on how much you sweat. This can be affected by the position you play, the level at which you play at and length of your matches. You will obviously need more hydration for a full 90 minute football match compared to a five-a-side game. Aim to maintain hydration at a body mass loss lower than 2%. This can be calculated, and monitored, by measuring the change in your body weight immediately before and after playing. Drinking 150ml every 15-20 min during any exercise will keep your fluid levels topped up. Isotonic sports drinks are the preferred drinks for endurance-based exercise.

It is a good idea to have a training plan that includes when you have finished playing. So after a match, replace the fluid and electrolytes you have lost. The main things to bear in mind as you rehydrate are the volume and composition of the fluid you consume. Plain water’s for rapid and complete rehydration. It stimulates high urine production and reduces your drive to drink. Fluids containing sodium help you retain fluids, stimulate thirst and improve the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. You should consume 1.5 litres of fluid for each kg of your body mass lost as sweat, you could use a popular sports drink to do this.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

What is a better way of improving the grassroots-level football than asking the stakeholders to voice their opinions through surveys?

The Surrey County FA brings the same opportunity for the players and coaches of the football workforce to have their say on the future of the grassroots game.

Subjects such as the FA’s work at a local level and the highly publicized Respect program are open for discussion at the FA’s Big Grassroots Football Survey.

The survey can be acccessed at www.critical.co.uk/cfasurvey and it will be available until 31st March 2011.

Ray Ward, County Secretary of the Surrey County FA, said:

“Our football workforce has shaped the FA’s National Game Strategy which resulted in a four year investment worth £220m across the country from the Football Association.

“Last year, 70% of out stakeholders thought we were doing a good job of promoting and developing the grassroots game in the county. Once again, we’re looking for the voice of local football people to tell us how we’re doing, also importantly, we want to know what people involved in the game think still needs to be done to keep the grassroots game heading in a positive direction.

It is crucial that stakeholders take part in the survey.”

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Blue may be the colour at Chelsea, but it’s also the place to be on a Friday evening if you’re blind or partially sighted and love playing football.

Jonathan Tear found this out when he went along to the new Surrey County FA Visually Impaired (V.I.) Hub club at the Chelsea training ground in Cobham earlier this year.

Jonathan said:

“As a life long Liverpool supporter, the thought of playing football behind enemy lines was almost too much to bear. But I was in for a pleasant surprise when I turned up one Friday evening in early January at the Chelsea training ground in Cobham for the first of their V.I. Hub club coaching sessions.”

The Surrey County FA V.I. Hub club has been established in partnership with Chelsea FC Foundation’s wider pan disability provision and the center is for all ages and ability levels.

Jonathan Tear said:

“As someone who is partially sighted and played a lot of football in my youth, the opportunity to put my boots back on again and relive the glory days was too much to resist! Despite being a little rusty, I survived being put through my paces by a team of professional coaches who clearly understood my needs as a partially sighted footballer. I was particularly struck by the positive ‘can do’ approach to the whole set up and the way in which the coaches encouraged and supported everyone, irrespective of their ability level, to try their best.”

Jonathan also chatted to Alan Browne whose 12 year old son Rupert has started attending the club.

“He told me Rupert really enjoys the coaching sessions, and that it’s improved both his fitness & his self-confidence.

Clearly its early days for Chelsea in terms of developing this type of provision, but based on my own personal experience of the last few weeks, this is something not to be missed if you enjoy playing football and want to improve your game.”

Adds Jonathan, now a regular partaker at the Surrey County FA V.I. Hub club.

For further details, please contact Rob Seale (Football+ Development Officer) on 07949 144562 or e-mail him at rob.seale@chelseafc.com

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Chelsea’s Asian Soccer Star is back again this year providing groundbreaking opportunities for budding young players from Asian communities. The program offers the chance for players to win a place at the Chelsea Academy trials this summer and has already seen four winners go on to sign for professional clubs.
 
This year’s event will take place on 7th May at Chelsea’s world famous training ground in Cobham for players in the Under 9 to Under 12 age groups.
 
Nicolas Anelka is an Ambassador for the Asian Soccer Star program and the striker welcomed the return of the scheme:
 

“Asian Star is making a real difference. Everyone should have the same chances to play no matter what backgrounds they come from and this programme is offering young Asian players the opportunities they deserve.”

 
Participants will be judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to examine speed, skill and ability.

One player from each of the four age groups will be selected for the Chelsea Academy summer trials where they will train and play alongside some of the country’s best young talent. Any player meeting the required standard will be offered the chance to be signed by the Blues.

The initiative supported by the Asian Media & Marketing Group and Kick It Out is the first of its kind ever undertaken by a professional football club and is designed to give a much-needed boost to Asian participation at all levels of the game. Chelsea will also be inviting managers, coaches and scouts from clubs at all levels of the game to identify talented youngsters and information will also be on hand for Asian players to find clubs in their area.

Kalpesh R Solanki, managing editor of Asian and Media Marketing Group, which publishes Eastern Eye and GG2, said:

“This is a fantastic initiative and still the only one of its type among the top four clubs in our country. Chelsea is to be commended for their efforts to make the game truly diverse and the reaction from the community has been brilliant too. 

“It has given young aspiring players a huge boost to know that a club such as Chelsea are aware of the issues and are doing something to address the lack of Asian talent in our national sport. I would urge anyone who hasn’t participated before to get involved in Asian Star and those that have done, this is yet again another opportunity to show you have what it takes.

Having Nicholas Anelka, one of the Premier League’s most durable talents, as the initiative ambassador’s is inspiring and we wish everyone the best of luck.”

Applications are now open but places are limited for each day. To register for the trials please visit the Chelsea website.
 
Asian Soccer Star trials are open to players in the Under 9, 10, 11 and 12 age groups from all Asian backgrounds however a priority will be given to players from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi backgrounds.

For more information on Race Equality in Surrey, please visit www.surreyfa.com or contact Paul Jones on 01372 384748 or paul.jones@surreyfa.com

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Professional soccer is one of the most physically demanding sports in existence. Due to the length of a traditional soccer field and the length of the intervals of constant play, soccer players are among the best trained and the most fit athletes in the world. However this is not an easy task, training and conditioning for professional soccer matches is extremely difficult and requires both dedication and concentration.

Therefore if watching your local soccer matches has inspired hopes of becoming an athlete or at least getting in better shape, you better start looking at treadmill reviews to find a device to use in your home if you even hope to keep up with star soccer players.

Besides concentration and hard work, one of the essentials of soccer training is endurance. Popular endurance exercises include shuttle drills and step jumps. Step jumps involve vertically jumping over cones, with the body bent over so that the knees touch the chest. These are completed with very short recuperation periods in between sets.

On the other hand, shuttle drills require constant sprinting and tend to significantly weaken the leg muscles during the drill. For endurance purposes, many soccer players must also stick to a strict dietary regimen, including a high intake of healthy carbohydrates and lean meats, which increase biological glycogen levels and enhance performance.

Speed training, which can be extremely physically taxing, is another exercise many professional soccer players have to endure in order to stay in peak condition. Some drills include stepping strides, during which the soccer player runs down a length of markers as fast as possible, making sure that his or her steps are at least one marker apart. This is done at a full sprint and must be repeated several times before the optimal result is achieved.

Due to the strenuous nature of speed and endurance training, it is crucial for soccer players to stretch well, both before and after training. Stretching increases flexibility and circulation, making for better cellular respiration while exercising and a decrease in lactic acid build up (which can result in muscular cramping, an effect that can seriously undermine a soccer player’s performance). Stretching also improves muscle and joint movement, increasing the player’s balance and mobility on the field.

Furthermore, because of the stress placed on the body during training and during actual matches, many soccer players suffer from dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. Due to the amount of perspiration and the amount of water used on a cellular level during practices, players must hydrate often to prevent hospitalization.

Soccer players must also be wary of muscular strains and tears. Though stretching helps to prevent such catastrophes, the stress placed on the body by endurance, speed drills and actual performance often results in detrimental physical circumstances. MLS and World Cup players, however, are well aware of the rigor involved in soccer training.

Landon Donovan, a player for the MLS LA Galaxy, and Michael Bradley, both U.S. stars of the 2010 World Cup, use training and conditioning methods developed by the U.S. National Men’s Soccer team fitness coach, Pierre Barrieu. Barrieu has Donovan, Bradley and the other National players warm up differently than other teams. After stretching, they perform speed warm ups. This technique improves speed, builds muscle memory and involves being light on your feet and being quick off the ground.

For conditioning, the team also runs at 75 percent intensity for 45 minutes a set. They do two to three sets, with three-minute rest intervals. Then the players run at 85 percent intensity for five to seven minutes. They do four to five of these sets, also with three-minute rest intervals. This exercise increases their lactic acid thresholds and endurance capabilities and prevents muscle cramping.

In all, professional soccer players know that hydrating, stretching and eating a balanced diet is the first step to surviving training and conditioning. Keeping up with professional soccer players is no easy task. With extreme focus on endurance, speed, balance and strength, soccer remains the most popular and most physically strenuous sport in the world.

The author of this article is Aaron O’Connor. He is a former track & field athlete, currently a writer and amateur fitness trainer in Washington, USA.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The match started with Michael Schumacher appearing for some reason.

Angel di Maria realized in the 14th minute what he was missing at Real Madrid when Lionel Messi played a fantastic chip over the Portugal defense for di Maria put it past the keeper. Crisitiano Ronaldo leveled the scoring seven minutes later.

Then, in the closing minutes of the game, Fabio Coentrao made back to back fouls on Argentina inside the penalty area. Leo Messi made the Portuguese keeper look like a little kid the way he literally walked up to take the penalty.

Argentina 2-1 Portugal Highlights

di Maria, 14′
Ronaldo, 21′
Messi (pen.), 90′

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Earlier this week we reviewed the new Nike CTR360 Maestri II Elite and discussed how important it was not only to have the best footwear when you’re playing the beautiful game but also how one needed to pick the right boot with the right strengths and characteristics that would suit their natural game.

Today we’re stepping things up with a brilliant offer – you can get training tips from the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi, for less than a price of a pint!

A Lionel Messi Exclusive- Skills and Training

Lionel Messi talks exclusively to our friends at FHM about his heavily-customised training programme and what it takes to become one of the best football attackers in the world.

Messi’s rise to stardom, via the streets of Rosario and carefully nurtured by the doctors and coaches at Barcelona, is a blueprint for what’s possible for young, talented footballers if they have the right support structures in place. A key facet of this support is the right type of skill exercises and coaching, and you can read all about what a typical Barcelona training session involves and what skill exercises Messi undertakes to ensure he’s always at the top of his game.

This month’s FHM Bionic issue also includes an excellent interview with Michael Bisping, Britain’s best MMA fighter, who talks about the rules he follows to ensure that he stays at the very top of his game. The rules include:

Rule #3: Train Hard or Don’t Bother
Rule #11: Psych Out Your Opponent, Not Yourself ‘As soon as you’re in the arena, you’re playing mind games.’
Rule #19: Always Keep Your Eye On The Prize

The latest issue of FHM is out now, and full of articles to sink your teeth into. Soccerlens readers can get £1 off FHM, meaning you only pay £2.90, if you buy it online via this link.

Find out more at http://www.fhm.com/nicole

This month’s FHM features the amazing Nicole Scherzinger – another great reason to check it out!

This is a sponsored post brought to you by EBuzzing.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

To ensure fair play in all of the lands, the world’s governing body of football, FIFA, have laid down a set of rules for all to follow. Instead of letting people of the different regions of the world to mold the game to their liking, they have actually made football a global language by fixing the basics of football.

Here is a preview of some of the most important rules of the game. For the complete list, see: Soccer Rules.

• The ball in and out of play

  For the ball to be called out of play, the whole of the ball needs to cross the whole of the line either in the air or along the line. If the ball rebounds off a goalpost or a corner flag, it is still in play.

  If the ball crosses one of the sidelines, a throw in is awarded to the opponents of the team who made the last touch. If the ball cross either of the touch-lines, if the attacking team had the last touch, it will be a goal-kick otherwise, it will be a corner kick.

• Offside

  Easily confused, a player is considered to be in an offside position if he closer to the goal-line than the ball and the last opponent before the goalkeeper. It is termed as an offence when the ball is played to that player. Usually, the linesman raises his flag as a call for offside. The other team is awarded a free-kick.

• The throw in

  When the ball crosses one of the sidelines, a throw in is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the sidelines. The opponents of the team who made the last touch takes the throw in.

  It’s not as simple as it sounds, the throw has to be made with both arms coming from above the head and both feet on the ground outside the field of play.

For a more detailed view of the complete list of the rules of soccer, see: Soccer Rules.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The eleven men fielded on a soccer pitch are assigned to specific positions in accordance to their specialties. Some of the most common soccer positions are:

• Sweeper
• Center Fullback
• Left/Right Fullback
• Wingback
• Left/Right Midfielder
• Defensive Midfielder
• Central Midfielder
• The Winger
• Striker
• Goalkeeper
• Second Striker
• Center Forward
• Attacking/Offensive Midfielder

For a detailed look in to the positions and their roles on the pitch, see: Soccer Positions.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Welcome to the new Football Videos section on Soccerlens. Here you’ll see all the latest video highlights from matches as well as lots more football video content from around the web. To get started, you can also check out the previous home of the football videos column on Soccerlens.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News