Shooting Techniques

There are many ways to strike a soccer ball. And with the way modern day soccer balls are made, there is much a shooter can do. Choosing the correct way to strike the ball in the right situation could result in scoring a goal. I'll discuss the two most common types of shots and the most basic way to perform them so that you can adjust them to be your own.

Power Shot
The easiest way to hit a powerful shot is to hit it with your laces. Point your toe and strike through the ball. Be sure to keep your knee directly over the ball so you do not strike it into the ground sail it deep over the crossbar. Once you are satisfied with technique and how much strength you want to put behind it, you can start to mes around with different variations. One of my personal favorites is striking the ball dead in the middle so that the ball does not spin at all, resulting a knuckle motion. This will help when shooting from further out, as the goalie will have trouble following the ball on it's way to the net.

Finesse Shot
When shooting for accuracy, put some spin on the ball to help you hit your spot. To do so, you want to strike the ball with the inside of your foot by turning your ankle outward. By doing this, you will generate spin on the ball and it will curve. It will take practice, but you'll get a hold of it. Now if you really want some whip (serious curve in your shot), you'll have to put some power behind it as well. Just some spin on the ball is not enough. You have to get the ball make an egg shape along with the spin in order to get a lot of hook.

Choosing which shot to use in certain moments can set you apart from other players. Everyone likes to score goals and spectators like to see them. So use your shooting skills to your advantage.

Turf vs. Grass

In professional soccer, you always play on grass. When you watch on TV, you can see it's always perfectly cut, patterned grass pitches that look fake almost. However, aside from the pros, nobody else gets that treatment. In youth soccer in particular, the surface can play a huge part in the game. Here's the breakdown of the differences in playing soccer on turf vs. grass.

Artificial turf is usually preferred by young players who are starting to play at a higher level. You don't have to worry about bumps in the surface messing up passes and traps. That being said, there are different types of artificial turf. AstroTurf is not great for soccer because it's basically carpet. It's alright for indoor soccer, but not full field. The preferred type of turf is grassy turf. Per it's name, it's made to feel like real grass. It sticks up like grass and it doesn't grow, so it's always at the right length.

Grass is what most players will play on growing up since, well, there is grass everywhere. Grass is not always maintained well though. If you're not playing on short, thick grass, you're going to have problems. When you get to a higher level  of play, it can really effect how the game is played. You end up playing very sloppy soccer because you can't string passes together. However, grass is still preferred by most players, as long as it is nice grass. I have always liked nice grass because it plays like turf, minus all of the heat, plastic and rubber pellets that get everywhere (including in your eyes).

Dynamic Fit vs. Traditional Fit Cleats

In the new era of soccer cleats, there are so many new technologies in play. Anything from the weight, to the materials used, to shape, they're all very different now. The most noticeable change is the dynamic fit cleats that have a sock like attachment or collar. Nike was the first to release one with Adidas and Puma quickly following.

The dynamic fit cleats look almost like high-top soccer cleats, which is a weird concept. Initially, everyone thought they for added stability in the ankle, but that's not how they feel. No matter which one's you have (Nike, Adidas or Puma) they all have a similar feel. It basically feels like you took a thick sock and added laces on top and a stud plate on the bottom. Most, but not all, dynamic fit cleats are a very soft sock like material throughout the upper of the shoe. It does not make for more support, but rather it gives you a very natural, barefoot feel (or just wearing a sock feel).

Traditional cleats have utilized new technology as well. The Puma's shown above use a very thin, synthetic, one-piece material to make the lightest cleat on the market. The biggest difference between the traditional and dynamic fit style of cleats is really how it feels on the individual. I have worn both and they feel very different. I prefer the traditional fit because I have odd shaped feet and the lower cat feels more comfortable. I would recommend, as always, trying these different styles on before deciding which you prefer.

Bruce Arena Hired as USMNT Coach

Last week, the United States Men's National Team made the decision to fire head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and re-hire former USMNT head coach, Bruce Arena. All of this comes after a poor showing in the past couple of World Cup qualifiers for the USMNT. Many were upset after the team's 4-0 loss to Costa Rica and it seemed change was inevitable.

Bruce Arena coached the USMNT from 1998-2006 and has taken the team further in the World Cup than any other coach in U.S. soccer history (quarterfinals). He has also coached at various NCAA Division 1 schools, D.C. United, New York Redbulls and most recently the L.A. Galaxy.

There are not many reports yet on what the future holds for Jurgen Klinsmann. I personally think he may end up back in the Bundesliga coaching. He ended his USMNT coaching career with a record of 55-16-27.

USMNT vs. Mexico: What does this loss mean for the USMNT?

On Friday night, the United States Men's National Team took on Mexico in a critical World Cup Qualifying match. Unfortunately for United States fans, it ended in despair. Mexico won by a score of 2-1 off of a late goal from a corner kick. So what does this mean for the USMNT going forward? In my opinion, a lack of confidence that will need to be fixed by next Summer.

When the USA plays Mexico in soccer, it's like our version of El Classico (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid). It's one of the biggest soccer events in the United States when it takes place, especially when it's on U.S. soil. Although the score line was close, I did not feel confident that the USMNT would be victorious. In their World Cup qualifiers leading up to this, they were winning, but not playing playing well in my opinion. Even when playing teams like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we still had trouble controlling the game and putting balls in the back of the net. That simply won't fly against Mexico and definitely won't fly at the World Cup next Summer.

The team will need to figure something out in the next couple of months to make sure they prepare themselves for the World Cup. Whether that means Klinsman sticks with one lineup and stops changing out parts all the time or a veteran of the team such as Michael Bradley can rally the guys together, they need to improve...quickly.

New vs. Old Style of Cleats

Cleats have changed a lot in the past 10 years. Although it may not seem like it if we still have a couple old pairs laying around that we still like to wear, but it's true. The two pairs above (Adidas X 16 Purechaos and Adidas Predator Absolute) were released 10 years apart. Both had new technology on them when they came out, but very different technology.

The X 16 (top photo) was Adidas's first step into the Techfit collar which does indeed look a bit goofy compared to traditional cleats. The Predators (bottom photo) had a special compartment in the insole for sand that would shift with your foot. Two completely different technologies, both innovative nonetheless. So what are the biggest difference across the board between new cleats and old cleats?

There are two big ones in my opinion: weight and material, which go hand in hand. Older cleats were usually made of leather. Back in the day (I say that like I'm old for some reason) it was all about kangaroo leather. A lot of players still prefer it, but most younger players do not. Younger players are obsessed with speed. That is why newer cleats tend to be made out of lightweight, synthetic materials. There is no denying that the speed of the game has gone up, especially with players like Jamie Vardy and Neymar. Speed is everything  now and I think that is what has caused the most change. What do you think?

Review: Adidas Ace 16.1 Primeknit FG

The Adidas Ace 16.1 Primeknit have one standout feature: the techfit collar. However, that is not the highlight of the shoe for me. The highlight is Adidas's Primeknit material. That being said, I will still give my opinion on both features.

The techfit collar is Adidas's response to Nike's dynamic fit collar. Now there are differences if you thought they are the same. Nike's comes up a little higher on the ankle and does lend an "extra layer" feeling. Adidas's sits a little lower on the ankle and practically feels like nothing. I kind of like it because it helps keep a secure fit without intruding on your touch (on the ball). All in all though, the shoe would be just as great without it because the Primeknit material is the key.

Adidas's Primeknit upper feels almost like a mesh material that's holes was filled in with a jelly, water resistant material. I know, that's a weird description, but that's my honest reaction. It is very soft, but still thin so you do not get that "too much cushion" feel on the ball. That being said, it does offer enough thickness to protect you foot. Having the Primeknit material as a shell around the inner "sock" that makes up the techfit collar makes for a really nice, soft shoe.

Overall, it's a pretty innovative shoe. I like that Adidas responded to Nike by creating the techfit collar and I honestly like it better. With a lightweight Adidas Sprintframe slapped on the bottom, it' a really nice soccer cleat.