Why Strength Training is So Important in Soccer

Possession is one of the major factors towards winning any type of ball game. If your team has possession of the ball then it is, quite literally, impossible for the opposition to be able to score. The longer that your team can keep the ball then the more you will be able to dominate the game. You and your teammates will grow in confidence. You will be able to enjoy the satisfaction of playing to your full potential.

So, the question is - How will you manage to win that vital possession? In a 50-50 situation, where the ball is mid-way between you and one of the oppositions' players, how can you make sure that you will be the one that gets to the ball first? You will need to be able to move faster than the other player.

How will you be able to do this? - By using your superior strength, stamina, fitness and endurance.
During the recent Olympic games did you take a look at the top sprinters in the world of athletics. Are they all about large quadriceps muscles to power their legs? No - they have well-developed muscle structure throughout their entire body. Watch closely as a hundred-metre runner sprints down the track; see how the arms are pumping to provide momentum as well as balance. Notice the well-defined chest, back and neck muscles, all of which contribute by providing a powerful connection between arms, legs and head.

The objective is to be stronger, but this does not mean that you have to be bigger or heavier than the other person. By increasing your strength not only will you be able to run quicker, you will be more agile, faster at changing pace, and much better at altering the direction of your run.
Another great benefit will be your ability to avoid injury because your muscles are so much stronger. If you do get injured then any injury will be less severe, and also your recovery time will be greatly reduced.

If you are not the most naturally gifted, talented and skilful soccer player in the world (and lets face it - who is) then you must look for that all important edge elsewhere. Speed, stamina and endurance will be easier to obtain. Just by following a well structured and proven conditioning program you will be able to achieve total soccer fitness.

The player who is in the best physical condition will prevail!

To learn more about becoming a faster, fitter, stronger and more confident soccer player Chris recommends that you sign up for the email course on Soccer Conditioning, which you can get totally free at: http://www.ChrisTips.com

Soccer Transfer News Update - Hleb Joins Barca Ronaldinho Signs For Ac Milan

The football transfer market came to live once again this week with spainish giants Barca announcing the capture of Arsenal's Midfielder Alexander Hleb and the release of Brazilian Ronaldinho to Ac Milan of Italy.

The Release of Ronaldinho is interesting because of the simple fact that his transfer means the end of an era at fc Barca and most importantly it makes the return to football of one of the greatest talents and personality in the game after a long time out due to injury, thirdly it leaves my dearest club ( yes I am a gunner fan ) Arsenal and we the fans wondering whats going on with our dear club , fourthly it ends Ac Milan's interest in Arsenal's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and also leaves Manchester City Fc ruing their miss after a long and interesting struggle for the signature of ever smiling Ronaldinho.

The capture of Ronaldinho by Ac Milan despite the fact that he has not seen action for a very long time due to injury confirms the fact that he is one of the best players to have ever played the game of football.

Ronaldinho 28, still look very young and on his way to greatness in the game of football ( Americans call it soccer ). Barcelona spotted and signed the then 23 year old from French giants PSG five years back. He was supposedly the number 2 to David Beckham before the Briton decided to join Barca's Arch rivals Real Madrid.

He joined Barca at a time when things was tough as they have just managed to qualify for the Uefa cup after finished 6 in the La Liga that year. He joined new coach Frank Rijkaard in the job of the transformation of the clubs dwinding fortunes.

Of course he succeeded in his mission as Barca finished second place behind Real Madrid the following season and went on to win back to back titles and the Uefa champions League beating Arsenal in the final a year after.

His feat did not go unnoticed as he was courted by Real Madrid and Fifa could also not ignore his brilliance as he was name the FIFA world footballer of the year.

But ever since things have gone from good to bad and from bad to worst for the Brazilian but now he has a great chance to start a revival of sort with Ac Milan.

As for Dear Arsenal, the news of the departure of Alexander Hleb adds to the growing list of the departees after Ac Milan had earlier stolen Mathieu Flamini right under our nose and the departure of Brazilian Gilberto Silva to Greece .

Although Hleb's transfer to Barca does not seem to surprise any one as it is very obvious but whats a surprise is why does the players who almost won the league for Arsenal in a breath taking way suddenly hate the club. It doesn't even end there as it is very possible that Emmanuel Adebayor may be also on his way out of the Emirates as he has declared his intention to join some other clubs if Arsenal can not agree to his ridiculous and selfish demands although one wonders if Milan who are the clear favorites to sign the Togolese will still be interested after the capture of Ronaldinho.

The capture of Ronaldinho leaves Adebayor hoping Barca will regnite their interest in him. But Unfortunately media reports has it that Barca have decide to abandon their pursuit of the Togolese preferring to sign Tottenham hotspur's Dimitav Berbatov instead. Barca's interest in Berbatov will sure be a thing of concern for Manchester United's Manager Sir Alex as he was also hoping to add the tall striker to his striking force.

With Gilberto also gone and Adebayor one leg in one leg out, it does confirms Arsene Wenger's concern earlier in the summer when he said his greatest concern was not to buy new players but to keep the ones he already has. It does also looks as though as he is losing the battle to keep his players as the players seem to look elsewhere for other challenges in their careers.

As for Manchester City FC and their new Manager Mark Hughes who were hoping to lure Ronaldinho to the eastland stadium are now shocked to know Ronladinho prefers to sign for Milan for a reason that is very obvious- Champions League football. Even though Milan will not be contesting in the Champions League this term but then they have a greater chance to qualify in the future than does Manchester City who can only struggle and hope for Uefa cup appearance.

Now that Ronaldinho has signed for Ac Milan, it will be interesting to know who Manchester City and their ever ambitious manager Mark Hughes will be signing with the 25 million that was rejected by Ronaldinho and Barca.

The transfer of Hleb and Ronaldinho to Barca and Ac Milan respectively could lead to a large scale moment of players from one club to another as it looks as though Milan and Barca mean business after the bad season the last time out. Hleb's transfer leaves Arsene Wenger with the headache of looking for a replacement for Hleb even though he has got Nasri and as for Manchester City it will be difficult to attract the kind of players who will get them breaking into the big four in the English Premiership in the coming season though they are ambitious but I still do not believe they will be attractive enough to get players of the capacity of Ronaldinho at least not for this season.

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