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Developing Endurance as a Midfielder Few sports have a position that demands as much constant energy as that of the soccer midfielder. Midfielders must help both the forwards and the defenders on their team. Their role is the center of the field. The center of the field is where most of the action takes place in a soccer field. Because of the responsibilities, in terms of area and strategy, of the midfielder, the players in that position will do much more running than anyone else on the field. Having endurance as a runner is perhaps the most important quality a midfielder should possess. Running should be an every day exercise for all players, but especially for the midfielders. One typical running drill is to have players start at the beginning of the field and run to each line, touch it, return to the beginning position, and run to the next line. This is repeated until the player has run the whole field. Even if it is just running, anything that can be done to make the practice more interesting will help you stay motivated to increase your endurance. Strategies for Soccer Defenders Defensive players have the job of guarding the goal area from the ball. In order to perform well in this position, it is important to be able to predict the movements of your opponents. Of course, you need to be aware of where the ball is at all times. Many offensive players have learned several techniques in concealing the direction that they intend to go. Similarly, great defenders can read these false moves and predict where they need to be to defend the goal. The goal of defenders is to keep the ball away from the goal area, so they should know where their teammates are at all times so they can pass the ball and make sure it gets moved up the field. Communication with the goalie is also key for the defenders. Agility Training for Soccer Agility is a crucial soccer skill, and there are many exercises you can use to improve in this area. First, you need to be able to move around obstacles (especially other players) with the soccer ball. You should practice with a variety of obstacles to work around. Cones, arches, and coaching sticks are all great tools to use. Set up these objects in a variety of patterns and practice each one diligently. Make sure as you practice that you are not only working on efficiency with time, but also efficiency in terms of space, as you maneuver around these obstacles. It is also a good idea to work with hurdles, both with and without the soccer ball (frequently in soccer, the best way around an obstacle is over it). In addition to handling the ball, it is a good idea to work on agility in acquiring the ball. Both goalies and field members should practice trapping the soccer ball. Reaction balls are great tools for practicing trapping. They move in unpredictable ways, allowing you to focus on agility. Finally, you can also find ways to practice agility and speed with a netted ball. Fundamental Soccer Clothing The personal equipment needed for soccer is pretty basic: all players should have a pair of shinguards and a pair of cleats. Shinguards should be flexible enough to allow you to move around efficiently, but sturdy enough to provide adequate protection. The best shinguards also provide some ankle protection. If your shinguards do slip around, you can buy shinguard protection sleeves, which hold them in place without tape and do not cut off your circulation. With cleats, look for great traction, since you will be frequently playing on wet grass and mud. You may also consider getting a pair of soccer gloves and a pair of knee pads, especially if you play the goalie position. Though you may not want to wear knee pads during your games, you may want to have them during practice to protect your knees as a goalkeeper. Gloves are more about grip than protection, but they are still an important piece of equipment for goalies. Other soccer players may consider gloves to help keep their hands warm.
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