Coach Noe Carrillo

Soccer Unit10 Day 50 min Class

(Monday-Friday)

9th Grade Boys PE

I. Goals and Objectives

Goals:

By the end of this unit, students will have learned the basics of soccer. Including, the

history, the strategies, the rules, and fundamentals of soccer.

Objectives:

Cognitive-By the end of the unit, students will be able to describe the steps of

shooting and passing a soccer ball.

Cognitive-By the end of the unit, students will be able to score a 70% or higher on a

written test explaining the rules of soccer, and show knowledge of the history of

soccer.

Cognitive-By the end of the unit students will be able to play in a soccer game.

Psychomotor-By the end of the unit students will be able to perform the steps of

making a short and long pass and successfully pass 7 out of 10 passes towards a

target.

Psychomotor-By the end of the unit students will be able to perform the steps to shoot

a soccer ball, and make 5 out 10 penalty kicks.

Psychomotor-By the end of the unit students will be able play in a soccer game.

Affective-By the end of the unit students will able to demonstrate teamwork by

cooperating with other students on their teams.

Affective-By the end of the unit students will demonstrate proper sportsmanship.

II. Grading Procedure/Scale and Rationale

Grades: Skills-60% (short pass-15%; long pass 15%, dribbling-15%, shooting-15%) Written Test-30% Cooperation/Sportsmanship-10%

Rationale: Skills: Students are going to show proficiency in short, and long passes, dribbling and

shooting of the ball. Depending on how they do will be the outcome of their grade. But for a point to count students must demonstrate the steps for each skill.

-Short Passing: A-7 or above out of 10 passes completed B-3-6 out of 10 passes completed C-0-2 out of 10 passes completed

-Long Passing: A-3 or above out of 10 passes completed B-1-2 out of 10 passes completed C-0 out of 10 passes completed

-Dribbling: A-Students dribble through the cone without knocking any cones over B-Students dribble through the cones with some cones over C-Students dribble through the cones and knock all the cones over

-Shooting: A-Student makes 5+ out of 10 penalty shots attempted B-Student makes 3-4 out of 10 penalty shots attempted C-Students makes 0-2 out of 10 penalty shots attempted

Written test: Students will also take a written test in which they will be asked to answer questions about the history and the rules about soccer.

A-90%-100% B-80%-90% C-70%-80% D-69% or lower

Cooperation/Sportsmanship: Students will also be graded if they are participating in the day’s activities. Students will also be graded on the sportsmanship after every activity.

A-Excellent B- Good C-Average

III. Weekly Block Plan

Monday (1) Tuesday(1) Wednesday(1) Thursday(1) Friday(1)

Intro To Unit--History of soccer

-History of the World Cup

Rules of Soccer-Strategies of Soccer

Dribbling Drills Short Passing drills-Long Passing drills

Shooting Drills-Small sided drills

Monday(2) Tuesday(2) Wednesday(2) Thursday(2) Friday(2)

Review and practice last week activities

-Dribbling, Short and Long Passes, and shooting

Written Test-Practice for skills test.

Stations of short and long passes, shooting and dribbling for Skills Test.

Small 5v5 games Tournament:- 6 teams of 5.

Lesson Plan

Name Noe Carrillo Lesson # 1 Date Monday (1) Activity: Intro to Soccer Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment & Facilities:

Classroom Soccer Rule/Strategies Worksheet

Objectives: The student will, Learn about the history of soccer, and demonstrate knowledge by completing a

worksheet. -Learn about the World Cup, and demonstrate knowledge by completing a worksheet.

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: TEKS: 116.56 3(d)Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues

10 minWarm-up-Next: Go to the Classroom

15 minuteHistory of Soccer

15 minuteWorld Cup

10 min Closure

See Appendix (A)

-Students will learn about the history of soccer- Show Photostory Video (small clip of the history of soccer)-Use Soccer History Notes to go into more detail.

-Students will learn about the history of the World Cup-Use Notes on the History of the World Cup.

Recap by giving students History and World Cup History Worksheet

------

-Students sit in their assigned seats.

NASPE Outcomes: N/A

Lesson Plan

Name Noe Carrillo Lesson # 2 Date Tuesday (1) Activity: Rules of soccer Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

Classroom Soccer Rule/Strategies Worksheet White Board

Objectives: The Learner will -Learn about the rules of soccer, and demonstrate knowledge by completing a worksheet. -Learn about the strategies of soccer, and demonstrate knowledge by completing a

worksheet.Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a,b) 2(a,b) 3(a) 6(b,d) 7(e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues

10 minWarm-up

15 minuteRules of Soccer

15 minuteStrategies of Soccer

10 minuteClosure

See Appendix (A)

-Students will learn about the rules of soccer-Use Rules Worksheet

-Use Position-Strategy Notes.-Students will learn about the strategies of soccer.-Describe the positions and formations in soccer

-Recap the information given by Rules/Strategies Worksheet

NASPE Outcomes: N/A

Lesson Plan

Name Noe Carrillo Lesson # 3 Date Wednesday (1) Activity: Dribbling Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

30 soccer balls 30 tennis balls 30 cones 30 Dribbling paragraph worksheets 30 pens 30 clipboards

Objectives: The Learner will -Learn how to dribble the soccer ball, and will show proficiency by demonstrating the

steps/cues to dribble a soccer ball -Be able to describe the best way to dribble a soccer ball, by explaining in a paragraph at the

end of the activity. Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a) 4(a) (7e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues

10 minWarm-up

10 min-quick dribbling warm-up

10 min-dribbling drill

10 min

See Appendix (A)

-Dribble with the tennis balls to get used to the adjustments needed handle a small ball.Give them a regular sized ball at the five-minute mark to see the difference and it might make it easier to dribble.

-Students will dribble in a box full of other players. Emphasize cues so they don’t lose the ball and run into other students.-Switch to weaker foot at times, dribble with both feet. Same cues!

-Will Work on both Recap everything with

-Foot-Head Up-Push-Body-Control

-Defense-Dribbling drill1v1

5 min-Advanced Dribbling

5 minClosure

dribbling and defensive skills-1v1 drill. Switch players against other players.

-Show students some juke moves, and let them practice and even create some of their own.-Allows creativity and create space against a defender.

-Recap everything with dribbling paragraph worksheet

dribbling paragraph worksheetStudents will play one on one against each other. Score by stopping the ball on the line.

-Show some examples, students can use half of the field for this activity

NASPE Outcomes

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 4 Date Thursday (1) Activity: Passing Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

30 soccer balls Soccer Field 4 cones

Objectives: The Learner will -Learn the steps to make a short pass, and describe the steps in a worksheet -Learn the steps to make a long pass, and describe the steps in a worksheet -Be able to analyze the steps to make a short and long pass, by assisting their peers. -Learn how to trap the ball and explain the steps in a worksheet

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a) 4(a) 6(d) 7(e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

10 MinShort Short Long

10 minShort Short Long (let students spread apart farther)

10 minShort Short LongStudents about 30 yards apart

7 minute quick contest

3 minClosure

See Appendix-A

-Students are practicing short passes.-Students are practicing trapping techniques

Same principle but just a little bit further

Same drill, but we want the long ball to be in the air. Don’t let them lose form, remember the cues.

Recaps what they learnedEach student goes once in course.

Stretch to cool down, since students kicked the ball a lot, so its good to stretch at the end.

See Appendix-B

See appendix-C

Passing-Opposite Foot-Hit the Middle-Use the Middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow ThroughTrapping Cues-Move-Relax-Soft

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 5 Date Friday (1) Activity: Shooting/Small SidedNumber of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

Soccer Field Soccer goals regular and small (10 3x3 goals) 15 practice vest

Objectives: The Learner will -Learn the steps to a shot, able to explain the steps to making a shot -Analyze the steps to shooting a soccer ball. -Play in small sided to put together previous skills learned throughout the week

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a, b) 3(a) 6(b) 7(e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

15 minuteShooting drills

10 MinLayoff drill

15 minute small sided game

See Appendix (A)

-See Shooting Notes-Teach students the steps/cues to shooting a soccer ball.-Show an example.-Let them practice shooting penalty kicks, move backwards after 5 min. Move further after 5 more minutes.

-Students can practice shooting the ball while its rolling and running to shoot.

-10 groups of 3-3v3 games-A chance to practice what they learned-Follow Through with dribbling, passing long and short, defending, trapping, and shooting.

-Opposite Foot-Hit the middle-Use the middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow Through

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 6 Date Monday (2) Activity: Review of previous week

Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

Soccer Field Soccer goals 30 soccer balls 30 cones 30 pens 30 clipboards

Objectives: The Learner will -Demonstrate knowledge learned in the previous week by completing a worksheet -Revisit the skills learned the previous week, and practice them again.

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a, b) 3(a) 6(b) 7(e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

10 minDribbling activity

10 minShort Short Long

See Appendix (A)-last 2 min give review worksheet

-Revisit dribbling skills, and show a proficiency in dribbling by completing the course.

-Revisit Short and Long passing skills. Show an understanding in passing in trapping skills by successfully doing the drill

Course:

See Appendix: B+C

-Foot-Head Up-Push-Body-Control

-Opposite Foot-Hit the Middle-Use the Middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow ThroughTrapping Cues--Move-Relax-Soft

20 minuteShooting“Baseball game”

Revisit shooting skills, and show an understanding and proficiency in shooting by doing the steps/cues when shooting in this game

See Appendix-D -Opposite Foot-Hit the Middle-Use the Middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow Through

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 7 Date Tuesday (2) Activity: Written Test Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner Equipment &Facilities:

30 written test 1 soccer ball Classroom

Objectives: The Learner will -Demonstrate knowledge in soccer rules, strategies and the history of soccer by completing

a written test -Practice for skills test, making sure they have learned the steps to a short/long pass,

dribbling, and shooting. Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a) 3(d)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues40 minWritten test

Last minutes after everyone is done (if time permits)

Demonstrate knowledge in soccer rules, history, and strategies

-Show students what you want to see in the skills test. (for example, revisit all the cues for each skill)

Students sit in their assigned seating

-Foot-Head Up-Push-Body-Control

Opposite Foot-Hit the Middle-Use the Middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow ThroughTrapping Cues--Move-Relax-SoftOpposite Foot-Hit the Middle-Use the Middle-Solid Contact-Lean-Follow Through

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 8 Date Wednesday (2) Activity: Soccer Skill Test Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner

Equipment &Facilities: Soccer Field 30 soccer balls 15 cones 30 peer evaluation forms

Objectives: The Learner will -The student will demonstrate skills learned in the previous week in a skill test. -The student will analyze the steps for a short and long pass, dribbling, and a shot by doing

peer observations for the skills test. Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a) 2(a, d) 3(a)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

40 minSkills Test-Students partner up-3 groups at each station-About 7-8 min or at each station

-See Appendix (A)

-Determine if the students have learned soccer skills.-Hand out peer evaluation-Set Up stations

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 9 Date Thursday (2) Activity: 5v5 Small Games Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner

Equipment &Facilities: Soccer Field 30 balls 10 small 3x3 goals 15 jerseys

Objectives: The Learner will -Demonstrate steps and skills learned by playing game-like situations in small-sided games. -Analyze the steps of making a short and long pass, dribbling, and shooting.

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a, b) 3(a, b) 6(b) 7(b, c, e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

10 minute-Warm up game: Organization

30 min5v5Let students pick their group of five

See Appendix (A)

-See Appendix (E) how to play this warm-up drill. Helps students be aware, and practice trapping the ball and switching the ball and passing it to an open teammate

-Goals only count if the cues are executed, make sure to emphasize students that the steps are most important-Scrimmaging lets students practice game like situations-Set up 3 mini fields, about 20 yards long and 10 yards wide.

-See Appendix (E)

NASPE Outcomes:

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 10 Date Friday (2) Activity: Soccer Tournament Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner

Equipment &Facilities: 6 mini soccer fields( 20x15 yds.) 6 regular sized goals 6 soccer balls 30 jerseys (10 sets of 3 jerseys, and different colors for the set, represent a country in the

world cup) 12 corner flags 30 cones 3 referees (assistant coaches) WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT BRACKET

Objectives: The Learner will -Demonstrate steps and skills learned by playing game-like situations in small-sided games. -Analyze the steps of making a short and long pass, dribbling, and shooting.

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills: 116.56 1(a, b) 2(a, b) 3(a, b) 6(b) 7(b, c, e)

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

40 minWorld Cup Tournament

See Appendix (A)

-Teacher picks the group of five. Trying to make the teams as equal as possible.-Let students pick their country they are representing. Have-See Appendix (F) for rules of tournament

NASPE Outcomes:

VI. Lesson Plan

Name NOE CARRILLO Lesson # Pitfall Date Rainy Day 1 Activity: Trust risk taking Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beg.

Equipment & Facilities: In the Gymnasium: 4 large cones, 12 yarn balls, 8 hula hoops, 8 chairs, 8 jump ropes, 8 soccer balls, 15 water balloons (poly spots if we can’t go outside) and 9 blindfolds.Objectives: 1.)The students will be able to verbally describe the relationship between risk taking and

the full value contract and build trust between peers during the pitfall activity.2.) The students will be able to verbally direct their partner through the pit safely without contacting any objects or people.

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues

ACTIVITY: Gotcha!Have students stand in a tight circle and have them place their left hand palm up in front of the person on their left. Then ask them to place their index finger of their right hand in the center of the palm that is in front of them. When the designated person say’s “Gotcha!” or “Go!” the students attempt to catch the finger that is in their left hand and at the same time pull their right finger away so it does not get caught.-Do this several rounds then have the students form 2 concentric circles and do the same- switch hands

INTRODUCTION: (above)

TRANSITION: Please get into pairs.Decide who will be blindfolded and then one person from each pair comes grab a blindfold.

EXPLANATION: RulesGoal: Make it to the other side with touching as few objects as possible.

Have students stand in a circle facing each other.

Have students in a circle facing each other.Class is all standing on one side of the pit facing in.

Class is all standing on one side of the pitfacing in.

Gotcha!-Stand with your left hand palm up in front of the person on your left.-Take the index finger of your right hand and place it the center of the palm that is in front of you.-When you hear “gotcha!” you are to try & move your right index finger so it does not get caught and at the same time try to grab the index finger that is in your left palm.

PITFALL:If you are comfortable get with someone who you have not worked with in a trust activity.-The guide may NOT touch his/her partner.-The guide MUST stay outside the pit.-If a person touches an object with real consequences, they must

ACTIVITY: Pitfall-The students will attempt to get their blindfolded partner through the pit without touching any of the objects or other people. They may enter the pit from any point around the perimeter. They are to get to the other side without touching any objects. If they touch an object (“consequence”) they are to start over.

ADJUSTMENT: have the blindfolded person walk backwards through the pit

TRANSITION: Clean up

DEBRIEFING:

Blindfolded students are standing around the perimeter of the pit with guides opposite them.

Students are standing in a circle facing each other.

start again.-The person wearing the blind fold can enter from any side and they MUST exit directly across from where they entered.-Keep track of # of touches.

Real Consequences:Soccer ball= young child playing jaxJump rope= raging riverHula hoop= uncovered man holeWater balloons= puddle(Adjustment- poly spots)

Other Consequences:Chairs= mailboxYarn balls= ground hog

PEEP: Those of you walking in the pit, please remember to put up your bumpers. (Arms straight in front of you with elbows bent slightly.)

When I say “Go!” The people with the blindfold on may enter the pit.

“Go!”Will each person please pick up 3 pieces of equipment and place them back in the correct bin.

After all the equipment has been put away please form a circle and have a seat.

Lesson PlanName Noe Carrillo Lesson # 2 Date Rainy Day 2 Activity: 6v6 Indoor Number of Students: 30 Skill Level: Beginner

Equipment &Facilities: Gymnasium Floor 6 balls 10 small 3x3 goals 6 different sets of colored pennies

Objectives: The Learner will; -Demonstrate steps and skills learned by playing game-like situations in small-sided games. -Analyze the steps of making a short and long pass, dribbling, and shooting.

Time Goals- What to Teach Lesson Organization Cues10 minWarm-up

10 minute-Warm up game: Organization

30 min5v5Let students pick their group of five

See Appendix (A)

-See Appendix (E) how to play this warm-up drill. Helps students be aware, and practice trapping the ball and switching the ball and passing it to an open teammate

-Goals only count if the cues are executed, make sure to emphasize students that the steps are most important-Scrimmaging lets students practice game like situations-Set up 3 mini fields, about 20 yards long and 10 yards wide.

-See Appendix (E)

VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY

SOURCES:

Pecentral.org

"The History of Soccer." Soccer Fans Info. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/the-history-of-soccer.html

"Soccer Positions." Soccer Positions. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.soccerpositions.net/>.

"FIFA World Cup." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup>.

REVIEW WORKSHEETNAME___________________________________

What is the best method to shoot a low powerful shot?

Is leaning back good when passing or shooting? If not, explain why?

When trapping, do you want the ball to be close or far away from you after touching it? Give me one reason why?

PASSING WORKSHEET:

NAME________________________

What are the Cues to making a short pass?

Name 2 differences in a short pass on the ground and a long pass in the air.

Name the cues to trapping the soccer ball.

DRIBBLING PARAGRAPH:Name: ____________________________

Describe in a paragraph the best technique to dribble a soccer ball. In addition, describe when you would use the outside, inside, or middle part of our foot to dribble the soccer ball.

SOCCERWORLD CUP AND HISTORY: Name:__________________________

Who is credited as the Father Of Soccer?

Where was the first World Cup event held?

Who won the first World Cup?

Name at least two different early countries civilizations that played early forms of soccer?

How many teams qualify for the World Cup?

List two ways soccer has changed from early civilizations to today’s modern form.In which country will the 2014 World Cup be held?

SOCCER RULES/STRATEGIES WORKSHEETName:__________________________-How is a team awarded a corner kick?

-What are the player positions and their duties?

-When is a penalty kick awarded?

-During a game who is allowed to touch the ball with their hands?

-How long is a regulation soccer game? And are there any timeouts or breaks in the game?

-List at least three different types of formations that could be used in a soccer game.

PEER EVALUATION FORM:

Find a partner, and with this partner you are going to assess one another’s dribbling, short and long passing, and shooting.

One will be performing the skills test, and the other will evaluating each other.

Assessor: A point awarded if the steps (or the cues) of each of skill are performed. Another point will be awarded if the goal is achieved at each station. If time permits at each station, you may try again to better your score. And you may take

your best results.

Grades: -Short Passing:

A-7 or above out of 10 passes completed B-3-6 out of 10 passes completed C-0-2 out of 10 passes completed

-Long Passing: A-3 or above out of 10 passes completed B-1-2 out of 10 passes completed C-0 out of 10 passes completed

-Dribbling: A-Students dribble through the cone without knocking any cones over B-Students dribble through the cones with some cones over C-Students dribble through the cones and knock all the cones over

-Shooting: A-Student makes 5+ out of 10 penalty shots attempted B-Student makes 3-4 out of 10 penalty shots attempted C-Students makes 0-2 out of 10 penalty shots attempted

Put a check if they did the steps for each skillPut how many they made at each station, and the grade (A, B, C) - use grading system above

Stations Completed the steps (Y/N) # Out of 10-Grade

1-Short Passing

2-Long Passing (ground)

3-Long Passing (air)

4-Dribbling

5-Shooting (penalty kicks)

Appendix A – Warm Up

Students stay in attendance lines- Blow whistle to change to next stretch and/or next activity

1. Feet apart, stretch middle

2. Stretch to the right3. Stretch to the left4. Sit stretch5. Right leg up6. Left leg up7. Right calf8. Left calf9. High knees10. Butt kicks11. Leg kicks12. Sprint back

B-Short Short Long 3 students to one group Students will stand about 7 yard apart Two are on each end and one starts in the middle Student always follows the ball after passing it, and that will be their spot till the next

passEXAMPLE:

C-Short Short Long-Ball in the Air 3 students to one group Students will stand about 30 yard apart Two are on each end and one starts in the middle Student always follows the ball after passing it, and that will be their spot till the next

pass Long ball needs to be in the AIR.

EXAMPLE:

D-“Baseball Game” Students are split into two teams 15 are behind the goal, and fifteen start 15 yards behind the 18-yard box. You stand next to the goal and roll the ball to the students that are on top of the 18-yard

box. Make sure to mark where the students have to shoot behind.

Each team has 3 outs or off target 5 misses When rolling the ball, the student’s shoots if the don’t hit the target (the goal) it is

counted as a miss. If the ball is shot over the goal, is counted as a miss, but if a student standing behind the goal catches it that is counted as an out.

Play about 4 or so innings, the remainder of class mainly.

E-Organization: Warm-up gameGrid is 30 x 30 yards, you can even use the center circle. Use 10 players.

Three players are in the middle of a 30 x 30 yard grid. The remaining players make a circle around the grid. Four of these players each have a ball.

Each player in the middle moves to a player with a ball receives it, turns and switches it to a teammate who does not have a ball. Play continues in this fashion for a designated period.

F-World Cup Tournament Games will be 5 minutes long Championship game will be 10 minutes-2 5-minute halves Group Play is first, 2 groups Every team makes it to playoffs, knockout round Wins are worth 3 points

Ties are worth 1 point Loss 0 points Winner of each group, get bye game in first round. Losing team in knockout stages goes to consolation bracket. Winner wins world cup

Group 1- Group 2-Team A-D-E Teams B-C-F

Group playA v. D B v. CA v. E C v. FE v. D B v. F

Teams points:A- B-D- C-E- F-

Knockout Stages Game 1: Group 1 runner-up v. Group 2 last place-winner advances to play Group 2

winnerLosing team plays in consolation versus losing team in other game

Game 2: Group 2 runner-up v. Group 1 last place-winner advances to play Group 1 winner

Semifinal Game 3: Game 1 winner v. Group 2 leader Game 4: Game 2 winner v. Group 1 leader

Consolation Game: Game 1 loser v. Game 2 loser

Championship: Game 3 winner v. Game 4 winner

SOCCER HISTORY NOTES The History of Soccer – Ancient Times

It's hard to say who invented soccer and there are several opinions regarding this subject. Sure, the country that invented modern soccer, as it is known today is England, but historical references attest that diverse forms of soccer were around for ages.

For example, a military document found in China attested a game called Cuju, played around the second century B.C. It wasn't soccer per se, but it did involve kicking a leather ball through a small hole in a piece of silk cloth strung between two high poles.

It definitely wasn't an easy game to play! Just consider how many of today's strikers have problems missing a 7 meter wide goal, let alone put a rugged leather ball through a small hole.

Other Asian countries show us that the history of the game of soccer was probably born in this area. But the pleasure of kicking a ball with some sort of purpose wasn't necessarily solely Asian.

Mesoamerican civilizations also devised a game played with rubber balls, which resembled a combination between soccer, basketball and volleyball. The game involved two teams, playing in a sort of basin dug below ground level, with baskets strapped in several locations on the side walls. The teams would then have to kick the ball towards these baskets, and score a goal.

Obviously, kicking a ball through a ring somewhere up on the wall is hard enough as it is, but considering the fact that they were playing with a rubber ball, which is harder to control, gives us a perspective on why central and south Americans are so skilled at modern day soccer.

Ancient Greeks and Romans also had their own versions of the game, or they imported the ones coming from Asia. One game, called Pheninda was a combination between soccer and rugby, which was popular amongst the ranks of the Imperial armies.

The History of Soccer – Middle AgesAs we go forward on the history of soccer timeline, we notice that the game has gradually entered European territory, Europe being the place where modern day soccerwill start in several centuries. Middle age soccer is covered in a combination of myth and historical facts. One popular form of the game (Mob soccer) involved entire villages or towns and was rather chaotic.

The teams could have unlimited players, as long as they were from the same village or town. Both teams had to kick the ball towards specific landmarks, and defend their own.

To add more chaos, the ball was made out of inflated pigs' bladders, or leather skins stuffed with all sorts of materials.

Picture two masses of people running towards a poor pig bladder ball, kicking, stomping, punching and pushing each other in the attempt to kick the object to some area...

In medieval France, a game called "La Choule" was usually played in town gatherings, such as just after Sunday church, or on special occasions or holidays.

The game itself looked like a combination of soccer, handball, hockey, baseball and kickboxing, since the players of each team had to strike the ball into the opponent's goal, using whatever means necessary and whatever accessories necessary.

For example, one record shows that players were allowed to use sticks or clubs to hit the ball around, although it wasn't always the ball that got hit.

The game was violent in nature and I assume there were plenty occasions where the after-church Choule match ended up with another trip to the church to confess some violent sins.

In England, the game was surrounded by an aura of violence and was considered a dangerous and sinful game. As such, it was banned in 1314 by Nicholas de Farndone, the Mayor of London.

The motive of the ban, as read from de Farndone's decree, is that the game causes "great noise in the city, caused by hustling over large foot balls" of the public "from which many evils might arise". That is also the first reference to the game as "football".

Despite this ban, soccer became to grow in medieval England and it was not long that it was introduced in English public schools in order to keep young boys fit.

The game started becoming slightly more organized, with well defined teams, positions, referees and coaches (deemed "training masters" in early records).

Still, rules would differ from school to school, but the essence was still there.The examples above come from very clear historical references, but like I said, there's also a great deal of myth surrounding the history of soccer during that period. One legend says that soccer was actually born at public executions, where the henchman would deprive a poor soul of his head, then toss it into the crowd where the masses would kick it with anger.

Although the barbaric nature of this "game" would fit the mentality of the time, there's no proof that this kind of events actually sparked what will soon become organized soccer.

The History of Soccer – Birth of the Modern GameSince soccer was growing strong in English public schools, the idea of having an organized tournament sparked in the 19th century.

At the beginning of the century, soccer matches between schools were played on a regular basis, but since not every school had the same rules, it was hard to find common grounds for larger tournaments. Soccer also spread beyond the school yard and institutions, factories and other organizations started creating their own teams.

In 1862, a solicitor by the name of Cobb Morley, formed a semi-professional soccer club in Barnes, called the Barnes Club. Seeing that the game needs more organization if it were to be played properly, he suggested creating a governing body for soccer in a local newspaper and the idea grew roots.

On 26 October, 1863, his idea was put to practice, as the founding members of several soccer clubs around London met in the Freemasons' Tavern in the English Capital, setting the base for the future organization, who was deemed "Football Association".

Cobb Morley is rightfully considered the father of soccer, but that's not just because he was the one to spark the idea of the Football Association. He also drew up the Laws of the Game, probably the most important document in the history of soccer, since it held all the official rules around which the game would be played.

Cobb Morley's rules were accepted by the Football Association on the 8th of December,1863 and have since stood as the game's constitution, although they were slightly modified throughout time to meet the needs of modern soccer.

The History of Soccer – Engulfing EarthIt only took around 3 decades after the first official rules of soccer were laid down by Cobb Morley and the English Football Association and the game was already wide spread throughout Europe, Australia and the Americas.

The first national teams were formed at the brink of the 20th century and national leagues were popping up all over the World.

By the 1930s, many of the European and American nations were already part of an international soccer governing body called FIFA (Federation of International Football Associations).

Although not everyone joined FIFA as soon as it was formed, throughout time, countries started seeing the benefits of an international governing body for soccer and got in.Despite its romantic advance in the 19th century, we're currently living the best days in the history of soccer. Today, soccer is truly an international sport and it's statistically proven to be the most popular game in the World, being enjoyed by almost 3 billion people world wide, on all continents.

The World Cup, a tournament organized by FIFA every four years, is considered one of the most important international tournaments, together with the Olympics.

Not all countries will participate in a World Cup though, as reaching the final stages of the tournament requires going through a tough qualification process that each continent organizes separately.

History of the World Cup:Put the Names of Champions on the BoardPut the Names of ChampionsYear

Team Captain Head coach

1930 Uruguay José Nasazzi Alberto Suppici1934 Italy Giampiero Combi Vittorio Pozzo1938 Italy Giuseppe Meazza Vittorio Pozzo1950 Uruguay Obdulio Varela Juan López

1954 West Germany Fritz Walter Sepp Herberger1958 Brazil Hilderaldo Bellini Vicente Feola1962 Brazil Mauro Ramos Aymoré Moreira1966 England Bobby Moore Alf Ramsey1970 Brazil Alberto Torres Mário Zagallo1974 West Germany Franz Beckenbauer Helmut Schön1978 Argentina Daniel Passarella César Luis Menotti1982 Italy Dino Zoff Enzo Bearzot1986 Argentina Diego Maradona Carlos Bilardo1990 West Germany Lothar Matthäus Franz Beckenbauer1994 Brazil Dunga Alberto Parreira1998 France Didier Deschamps Aimé Jacquet2002 Brazil Cafu Luiz Felipe Scolari2006 Italy Fabio Cannavaro Marcello Lippi2010 Spain Iker Casillas Vicente del Bosque

The FIFA World Cup (also called the Football World Cup, the Soccer World Cup, or simply the World Cup) is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current champions are Spain, who won the 2010 tournament.

The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is oftencalled the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s).

The 19 World Cup tournaments have been won by eight different national teams. Brazil have won five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. The other World Cup winners are Italy, with four titles; Germany, with three titles; Argentina and inaugural winners Uruguay, with two titles each; and England, France, and Spain, with one title each. The World Cup is the world's most widely viewed sporting event; an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany.[1]The next three World Cups will be hosted by Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022.

Qualification:Since the second World Cup in 1934, qualifying tournaments have been held to thin the

field for the final tournament.[28] They are held within the six FIFA continental zones (Africa, Asia, North and Central America and Caribbean, South America, Oceania, and Europe), overseen by their respective confederations. For each tournament, FIFA decides the number of

places awarded to each of the continental zones beforehand, generally based on the relative strength of the confederations' teams.

The qualification process can start as early as almost three years before the final tournament and last over a two-year period. The formats of the qualification tournaments differ between confederations. Usually, one or two places are awarded to winners of intercontinental play-offs. For example, the winner of the Oceanian zone and the fifth-placed team from the Asian zone entered a play-off for a spot in the 2010 World Cup.[29] From the 1938 World Cup onwards, host nations received automatic qualification to the final tournament. This right was also granted to the defending champions between 1938 and 2002, but was withdrawn from the 2006 FIFA World Cup onward, requiring the champions to qualify. Brazil, winners in 2002, was the first defending champions to play in a qualifying match.

World Cup Awards:At the end of each World Cup, awards are presented to the players and teams for

accomplishments other than their final team positions in the tournament. There are currently six awards:[49]

The Golden Ball for the best player, determined by a vote of media members (first awarded in 1982); the Silver Ball and the Bronze Ball are awarded to the players finishing second and third in the voting respectively;[50]

The Golden Boot (sometimes called the Golden Shoe) for the top goalscorer (first awarded in 1982, but retrospectively applied to all tournaments from 1930); most recently, the Silver Boot and the Bronze Boot have been awarded to the second and third top goalscorers respectively;[51]

The Golden Glove Award (formerly the Yashin Award) for the best goalkeeper, decided by the FIFA Technical Study Group (first awarded in 1994);[52]

The Best Young Player Award for the best player aged 21 or younger at the start of the calendar year, decided by the FIFA Technical Study Group (first awarded in 2006).[53]

The FIFA Fair Play Trophy for the team with the best record of fair play, according to the points system and criteria established by the FIFA Fair Play Committee (first awarded in 1978);[53]

The Most Entertaining Team for the team that has entertained the public the most during the World Cup, determined by a poll of the general public (first awarded in 1994);[53]An All-Star Team consisting of the best players of the tournament has also been announced for each tournament since 1998.

World Cup Records:Two players share the record for playing in the most World Cups; Mexico's Antonio

Carbajal (1950–1966) and Germany's Lothar Matthäus (1982–1998) both played in five tournaments.[54] Matthäus has played the most World Cup matches overall, with 25 appearances.[55] Brazil's Pelé is the only player to have won three World Cup winners' medals (1958, 1962, and 1970),[56] with 20 other players who have won two World Cup medals.[57]

West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer (1966–1974) is the only player to be named to three Finals All-Star Teams, and is also the only player to collect all three types of medals (runner- ups', third-place, and winners').

The overall top goalscorer in World Cups is Brazil's Ronaldo, scorer of 15 goals (1998–2006). Germany's Miroslav Klose (2002–2010) and West Germany's Gerd Müller (1970–1974) are second, with 14 goals.[58] The fourth placed goalscorer, France's Just Fontaine, holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup; all his 13 goals were scored in the 1958 tournament.[59]

Brazil's Mário Zagallo and West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer are the only people to date to win the World Cup as both player and head coach. Zagallo won in 1958 and 1962 as a player and in 1970 as head coach.[60] Beckenbauer won in 1974 as captain and in 1990 as head coach.[61] Italy's Vittorio Pozzo is the only head coach to ever win two World Cups (1934 and 1938).[62] All World Cup winning head coaches were natives of the country they coached to victory.

Among the national teams, Germany have played the most World Cup matches, with 99,[63] while Brazil have scored the most World Cup goals, with 210.[64] The two teams have played each other only once in the World Cup, in the 2002 final.

Dribbling Notes: Want to emphasize that students need to know how to dribble with the inside, middle and

outside of their foot. This helps them adapt to different situations with defenders; if they need to go inside or outside to beat their defender.

Foot: make sure they are using either inside, outside or middle part of their foot. Head-up: Make sure students are keeping their head-up so they can see what is front of

them. Push: Push the ball in front of them Body: Make sure their body is in between the ball and the defender. Control: The best thing is to kick the ball gently and not kick to far or too gently right in

between so that they can easily do something with the ball if needed. For instance, leaving the ball far away leaves the ball open to be taken away and losing control.

Defending Notes: Make sure to always know where your goalkeeper is, they can see what you may not be

able to see and can help which player to defend in a game. (Although in these there wont be a goalkeeper)

Keep the ball in between the offensive player and you. Don’t be flat footed, stand in an open stance so you can be ready to move right or left…

BE ON YOUR TOES, and move sideways, as if your are shuffling, so you can be following them step by step.

Keep some space between you and the opponent so you can be ready for the ball get off their foot and you can kick it away.

Be patient, let the opponent make the mistake and go for the ball when is left open. Don’t stab at the ball, and be patient.

If you know your opponent force them to their weaker foot, that way they can make the mistake easier.

Shooting Notes: Opposite Foot: Students will place their non-dominant foot next to the ball. You want to

place the foot about 6-10 inches away. While doing that they will wind up their kicking foot.

Hit the middle: When striking the ball you want to hit middle part of the ball, to get the most power.

Use the middle: When striking the ball you want to use the middle part of the foot, or the shoelace part of your foot, to get the most power on a shot. Or you can use the inside part, for a more accurate shot; used more for a more finesse shot. Or you can use the outside of the foot to make the ball curve the opposite way than using the inside part of your part. This is used to confuse the goalie just a little bit, and if you can’t shoot with your weaker foot this produces the same curve that it would with that foot.

Solid contact: Hit the ball with some power; don’t be scared. Just get enough contact to reach your teammate; a soft pass leaves it open to steal away.

Lean: Make sure to lean over the ball when shooting; you want your shots to be low and hard. Leaning back to far will force the ball in the air.

Follow Through: After striking the ball, follow through so you can reach your target.

Soccer Rules Notes: The 17 Rules for Soccer from the Laws of the Game

This soccer constitution that was the Laws of the Game now holds 17 specific key points that determine the rules of soccer. Let's go through each and explain them in more detail.

1. The Field of Play - The field of play is the surface on which the game of soccer is played on. This law regulates everything regarding line markings, soccer pitch dimensions and how to use them properly. For example, a soccer pitch must be between 90 and 120 meters long and 45 to 90 meters wide. However, it must also have a rectangular shape, so you can't have a square field with a length and width of 90 at the same time.

Other basic rules of soccer and field measurements are specified in this law, such as the dimensions of each goal (7.32 meters long and 2.44 meters high), the diameter of the centre

circle (18.30 meters) or the distance between the penalty spot and the goal (11 meters, perpendicularly on the goal).

2. The Ball - Throughout the time, the rules for soccer regarding the football remained the same, but the way in which they were applied was on a constant change. The rules state that the soccer bull must have a circumference between 68 and 70 centimeters and a weight between 410 and 450 grams but they also state that the ball can be made out of "leather or any similar material".Well that "any similar material" bit constantly improved over time and nowadays soccer balls reached near-perfection. Almost each World Cup brought a new type of soccer ball, with improved characteristics, although all of them stayed inside the official soccer rules stated in the Laws.

3. The Number of Players - According to the official soccer rules, a team can bring in 10 outfield players and one goalkeeper on the pitch and can have several substitutes on the bench. The numbers of benched subs as well as the actual number of substitutions that are allowed in a single match vary with the type of the game played. For example, in official matches only 3 substitutions are allowed, with 5, 7 or 9 players on the bench.

In friendlies however, a coach can fit in as many players as he wants on the bench and usually he can also make as many substitutions as he needs. In the past, the official soccer rules regarding substitutions were a lot stricter than this.

4. The Player's Equipment - Just like with the soccer ball, soccer equipment maintained most of the original rules in the Laws of the Game, but the way people interpret them today is quite different from how they did back in 1863. Basically the rules of soccer say that a player must wear a shirt or jersey, footwear, shin pads, shorts and socks and the two teams must have different equipment so that they can be differentiated on the pitch.

Back then however, a soccer jersey was a largely uncomfortable one and it was very simple, without too many details strapped on it. Today's jerseys are very light and comfortable and on many occasions they have the club's sponsors imprinted on them, they have the number of the player (and the name in some cases) on the back and the club's badge on the chest. These are not enforced by the soccer rules, but they have become common standards in today's game.

5. The Referee - Well the man in black (or more recently phosphorus green) is probably the biggest "invention" that came with the initial soccer rules constitution and his role is to enforce these official rules of soccer "in connection to the match he has been appointed to".

The center referee is accompanied and helped by two assistant referees (one on each side of the pitch) and a fourth one that handles small issues like showing injury time duration, checking a substitute player's equipment and replacing one of the three main referees if they can't continue the game.

6. The Assistant Referees - As I explained above, the assistant referees are placed on the sides of the pitch (one each) and their main role is to help the main referee with some decisions. Actually, the assistant referee has no decision power, he can only signal a game issue (an offside, a foul, handball and so forth) but it's up to the central ref if he's or she is going to take up the assistant's advice.

7. The Duration of the Match - Standard adult games are limited by the official soccer rules to two halves of 45 minutes each, separated by a 15 minutes break. This is not the actual time of play, since this 90 minute clock ticks even when the ball is out of play, during substitutions and so forth. In order to try to balance this timing a bit, the end of each half also brings a few minutes of "injury time" on the table.

In some cases, when the match must have a winner (a knockout match for example), two extra mini-periods of 15 minutes each, with no break between them are added. If the match is tied at the end of extra time as well, the players go on for a penalty-shootout that will eventually decide the winner.

8. The Start and Restart of Play - There are 8 reasons for which the game can be stopped and similarly, 8 ways to restart it. Each period of time starts with a kick-off (1) and the game is also restarted with a kick-off if a team scores a goal. If the ball goes out on the side lines, the player who last touched the ball conceded a throw-in (2). The game is restarted with the other team throwing the ball back into play. The goal kick (3) is awarded to the defending team, if the attacking team took the ball out of play on the defending team's goal line. The game is restarted with the goalkeeper kicking it from within the safety box. If the defending team touches the ball last and it goes over their own goal line, outside of the goal itself, then the opposing team earns a corner kick (4) and they will be required to restart the game from the corner nearest to where the ball went out. An indirect free kick (5) is awarded when a team produces a non-penal foul (dangerous play or offside for example) and the game is restarted with a ground kick that cannot be taken towards goal (if a player scores directly from an indirect free kick, without another player touching the ball, the goal won't stand). A direct free kick (6) is caused by a foul or handball and unlike the indirect free kick it can be struck directly towards the goal.A penalty kick (7) is similar to a direct free kick in that it is caused by a foul or handball, but the offence occurs inside the defending team's penalty area. The game is restarted with one of the attacking team's players shooting for goal from the penalty spot (11 meters, perpendicularly on goal), with nothing but a goalkeeper to beat.

The last of these eight soccer rules is rarer and it's called the dropped ball (8). The dropped ball occurs when the referee stops the game for a special reason (an injured player, ball becoming defective or the interference of an external factor) and the game is restarted with him dropping the ball from shoulder height in front of two players who will battle for possession (sort of how basketball matches decide initial possession).

9. Ball In and Out of Play - According to the official soccer rules, the ball is in play all throughout the match duration, except when it passes a bounding line (goal lines and touch lines), when an offence occurs or when play is stopped by the referee. In these particular cases, the ball is out of play and the soccer players cannot score goals or interact with the ball. In addition, substitutions can only occur when the ball is out of play according to the rules for the game of soccer.

10. The Methods of Scoring - As long as the ball is in play and no infringements of any soccer rules are being made, the players can score goals. A goal is considered when the ball crosses one of the goal areas with its entire circumference. Goals can be scored from action, from penalty spots and direct free kicks.

11. The Offside – Basically the no player from the attacking team may be past the last defender of the defensive team. The only way the attacking player may be past the defense is if the ball has been passed before the player has past the last defender. So if the attacking player is past the defender before the ball is passed then the person is offside. But if the attacking started before the last defender and the ball is passed through and past the last defender the attacking player is free to play on. This rule does not apply to Throw-In’s however.

12. Fouls and Misconduct - There's a difference between fouls and misconduct that many people fail to understand. A foul can occur when a player tries to get the ball from his opponent and kicks him or pushes him away accidentally, whereas misconduct means that a player willfully targets his opponent and punches, kicks or pushes him away.Fouls can only occur when the ball is in play, but misconduct can occur when it's out of play as well. Depending on the seriousness of the foul or misconduct, the referee can penalize it with a yellow or red card in addition to a free kick or penalty kick.

13. Free Kicks - I've explained most of the soccer rules regarding free kicks in "Soccer Rule Number 8 – The Start and Restart of Play". One additional soccer rule worth mentioning is that players from the opposing team must be at least 9.15 meters away from the position where the free kick will be struck. Also, the player that kicks the ball initially on a free kick cannot touch it again until a teammate or opposing player touches it.

14. Penalty Kicks - Penalty kicks are conceded when a defended player fouls or commits handball inside the 18 yard box (commonly known as the penalty box). It's important to know that not all offences inside the penalty box are punished with a penalty kick. For example, if a player commits dangerous play inside his own penalty box, the referee will award an indirect free kick from the place that the offence occurred.

When the penalty kick is taken, the only two players in the 18 yard box are the penalty taker and the defending team's goalkeeper. Everyone else must sit outside the box and can only

move towards the ball once it is kicked. So if the penalty is saved by the goalkeeper or strikes the bar, a player could run from the edge of the box and gain possession.

15. The Throw In - When the ball goes out of play on the side lines, the opponent of the player who last touched the ball will take a throw in. The throwing method has to follow some rather strict rules; otherwise the referee might dictate a throw in for the other team. The player taking the throw must keep his feet outside the side line, with the sole on the ground and the actual throw must be executed with the ball over the thrower's head.

16. The Goal Kick - The goal kick is a means of restarting play after the attacking team took the ball over the defending team's byline. The goal kick acts as a direct free kick, so if a player would kick the ball so hard that it would reach the opposing team's goal and score, the goal would count.

One extra soccer rule regarding the goal kick states that the kick must be powerful enough to pass the penalty area. So in case the goalkeeper executes the goal kick and passes the ball to a teammate in his own penalty box, the goal kick is re-taken.

17. The Corner Kick - The last of the 17 rules of soccer refers to the corner kick, which occurs when the ball passes over the defending player's goal line, with a defender having touched the ball last. The corner kick acts as a direct free kick taken from the corner of the pitch (if the ball passes the line on the left of the goal, the corner is taken from the left corner and if it passes on the right, the corner is taken from the right corner). The same rules as for a direct free kick apply, in that opposing players must be at least 9.15 meters away from the corner, the corner taker may score directly from the corner kick and the kicker can't play the ball a second time until it's touched by another player. The only additional rule is that the ball be placed in the corner arc.

Positions Notes:One Goalkeeper. There is always just one Goalkeeper per team. The Goalkeeper's job is to defend his team's goal and he usually stays close to his goal. You can identify the Goalie because he wears a different colored shirt or a vest over his shirt. Except for "Throw-Ins" and to pick up the ball in "Re-Start" situations, the Goalie is the only player who can legally use his hands. This is a very simplified description, read "Goalkeeper" in the SoccerHelp Dictionary for more details.

Usually 2 or 3 Defenders who are called Fullbacks.

Fullbacks play closest to their goal (which is the goal their Goalkeeper defends). Along with the Goalkeeper, they have the primary job of stopping the opponents from scoring. To a degree, every player should be a "defender" when the opponent has the ball. One way to teach this is by teaching the concepts of "First Defender" and "Second Defender".

Usually 2, 3 or 4 Midfielders.

The Midfielders play between the Fullbacks and the Forwards. They are often in the "Middle Third" of the field. There can be "Offensive Midfielders" who play closer to the Forwards and "Defensive Midfielders" (also called "Stoppers") who play closer to the Fullbacks, as described below.

Usually 1, 2 or 3 Forwards.

Forwards play closer to the opponent's goal, which is the goal guarded by the opposing Goalkeeper. The Forwards are the primary scorers, although Midfielders sometimes score and at older ages Fullbacks even occasionally score.There are also 2 special positions that some teams use; a "Sweeper" and a "Stopper".A Sweeper will play behind the Fullbacks and a Stopper will play between the Fullbacks and the Midfielders. These positions add additional layers of defenders and give you defensive strength in the Center of the field.

Strategy Notes:Soccer Game Strategy, Soccer Coach Glenn Cameron

AttackThe best attacking strategy is direct play. Five passes or less.First objective gain entry into the attacking third of the field. Five techniques are important in the attainment (best option first).

1. Long forward passes to the back of the defense.2. Forward runs without the ball.3. Forward passes to feet, supported by a player at an angle to receive the ball and pass it

forward.4. Receiving and turning with the ball.5. Forward runs with the ball.

Second objective is to increase, or at least maintain, the momentum of the attack once the ball is in the attacking third of the field. Five things are important here.

1. Shoot at every opportunity.2. Attack opponents by dribbling whenever possible.3. Pass the ball to the back of the defense whenever possible.4. Cross the ball early from the flanks (wing) to the back of the defense.5. Retain a compact team shape.

If the second objective is achieved, it will be easier to attain the Third objective, which is to do better than the opponents in four important elements of the game.

1. Shooting. Shooting at every opportunity itself provides more shooting opportunities in the form of rebounds and deflection.

2. Being awarded set plays.3. Crossing the ball.4. Winning the ball back in the attacking third of the field.

DefenseThe best defensive strategy is to win the ball as near to the opponents' goal as possible. This can happen if the team retains a compact shape. A compact formation makes three important things possible for a defending team.

1. It means the player on the ball can be challenged quickly. This prevents him, or at least delays him, from playing the ball forward.

2. The challenging player immediately has defensive support (Cover a teammate challenging the player with the ball, Mark an opponent in the area of the ball, Occupy important space goal-side of the ball)

3. Players are available to track opponents making forward runs.

The chances of conceding a goal will be reduced further if players defending in and around their own penalty area can achieve the following four objectives.

1. Being first to the ball.2. Clearing with height, distance and width.3. Defending the area of the far post.4. Not getting caught in possession in the defending third of the field. Remember Challenge,

Cover, Mark, Occupy, Track

As a general guide, defenders should try to stay within a triangle formed by the position of the ball, the position of their immediate opponent and the center of the goal. Their exact position should enable them to do three things.

1. If the ball is played behind them, they should be able to beat their immediate opponent to the ball.

2. If the ball is played to their immediate opponent, they should be able to make up the ground while the ball is in motion.

3. They should be able to keep the ball and their immediate opponent in view at all times.