Soccer Shoes and Cleats For Youth

Many of us know our young soccer players' feet grow quickly. This makes outfitting the family (kiddies, teens and grown-up kids) with new soccer shoes-a bit expensive. We are not just talking once a year, but it many cases every season (Fall to Indoor to Spring to Fall).

I strongly suggest parents refuse to buy into the brand name marketing trap-our kids must have the most expensive soccer cleats available. After all, you're paying the extra costs of the big name companies to private label and market their brands. Do you really think they are manufacturing their own shoes? Come on, it's a global economy and I'm telling you they are all having their soccer shoes made by sweatshops in India and China.

In addition, parents should understand they will never get the value out of an expensive soccer shoe in a single season. Don't worry Moms and Dads; there is another alternative for your younger players. Look for alternate brands other than the big name ones!!! There are plenty of attractive, affordable soccer shoes for young players-these soccer cleats are just not mass marketed!!! And for $19-$22, you can buy brand new soccer shoes for your rapidly growing soccer player-without breaking the bank.

For the teen recreational/select and occasional adult players, consider the newest styles of soccer shoes by Vizari. These soccer cleats are designed for players at the intermediate level in adult sizes only. We also offer high-end soccer shoes for adult players. Select level players choose the "Copa Select" or "Vanguish" soccer cleats. Soccer shoes are made with soft luxurious full grain leather-for serious soccer players in adult sizes only.

Soccer enthusiasts who choose to play indoors or on synthetic surfaces also have affordable options. If you're playing indoors, it's a good idea to purchase a pair of indoor soccer shoes. Often, you can use molded cleats on the turf at many indoor facilities, but to prevent injuries and for the health of your feet; it's wise to buy a pair of flat-soled soccer shoes to use when playing indoor.

Shop carefully for your next pair of soccer shoes and soccer cleats for synthetic turf--there are more affordable prices! You know you want--or need a pair--you're just a few clicks away from having the right soccer shoes for your turf.

Check out [http://eSoccerGear.com] for more soccer coaching resources and soccer equipment for recreational soccer programs.

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How to Persuade Youth Players in the USA That Soccer is the Best Sport to Play

Soccer is the most popular sport in almost every country in the world. That is unless you live in the USA where football, baseball and basketball are more popular. As a soccer coach the problem is therefore how to get youth players interested in playing soccer rather than the other sports.

Firstly we need to look at the reasons as to why other sports are more popular than soccer in the USA. One of the main reasons is spectator appeal. Local football, baseball and basketball are televised and promoted in every major city in the US. Young athletes watch this and associate with their heroes. Another reason is the money available in the professional game is much more in the American sports than in soccer. As a result, more young sports players aspire to earn their living with a high income in the American sports.

Not that soccer is a poor mans sport. Wages for soccer players around the world are now on the increase. For example 2 of the best soccer players in the world Christiano Ronaldo and Robinho are reported to be on $200, 000 and $320,000 per week respectively. David Beckham who plays for LA Galaxy is also high up there with the top soccer player earners. Although the interest in soccer is growing in the US among young sportsmen, the sport cannot compete as yet with the publicity, advertising and hype of the American sports.

The question is how to persuade young players in the US that soccer is the best sport to enter. Here are a few good reasons:

Soccer is a sport that any player can play and be successful in. As in football where physique and size is a major factor, in basketball where it is very advantageous to be well over 6 feet tall, any player can be successful in soccer no matter what size or physique a player has. Big and strong players can find positions as defenders, midfielders or forwards. Small players can find positions as forwards and wingers and develop skills to be successful in these positions. Slower players can also find positions, especially in midfield. There is a place for everyone who has the desire.

The involvement in the game is much greater in soccer than it is for other sports. In football there are so many stoppages in the game. Some players like the kickers may only have very limited involvement in the game. In soccer, even if your team does not have the ball, everyone has to hustle back to defend. Even the forwards have to defend from the front. Defenders when not defending have to support the midfield and forwards.

Soccer is very fast paced with almost continuous involvement. Basketball is probably the most similar of the American sports to soccer, the biggest difference being the size of the court to the field.

As well as speed, strength and stamina, skill is of the utmost importance in soccer thus producing an athlete with more rounded attributes. At youth level you will often find that youth soccer players often excel in the other American sports.

A good way to get youth athletes more interested in soccer is to get them watching high-class professional games on TV. The English Premier League is probably the best to watch as it is fast paced with a high skill level. Many of the best players in the world play in this league. There are several TV stations that show these games like Fox Sports World.

Also it would be good to get prospective youth soccer players to go to a few of their local college soccer games or semi pro games if there is a team in the area,

And then there is that magical feeling of scoring a goal with the goal celebration to follow. Soccer is certainly on the increase in the USA. The game produces leaders with more all round ability than the US sports. Success in soccer can lead to worldwide acclaim as players like Brad Friedel who plays in the English premier league has shown.

The author of this article - David Epstein has been a youth soccer coach for over 27 years. David is an expert in teaching parent soccer coaches how to be a better coach and get the best from their players including giving players the know how to play in all soccer positions [http://www.parentsoccercoach.com].

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Youth Soccer Gear - Forget Hand Me Downs

Prevent injuries with proper youth soccer gear.

Youth soccer players do need the same type of equipment as more mature soccer players. But, it is important that their gear fits properly. Children will get more enjoyment from the game, and will be less likely to injure themselves.

Youth soccer gear includes a solid pair of soccer cleats, well-fitting soccer shorts, and socks that match the team jersey. Soccer shinguards will provide lower leg protection, and a soccer jersey, to top it off. Let's look a little deeper at each item of youth soccer gear.

Soccer Cleats and Shoes

Cleat or shoe types include removable cleats, molded cleats, indoor soccer shoes and turf shoes:

Molded Cleats have non-removable, pre-formed rubber or plastic cleats on the bottom. Metal cleats are not allowed. They can be used on all outdoor field types but will not perform as well on turf, or wet, soggy fields.

Removable Cleats are made of a hard plastic. These studs can be replaced as they wear down. Players of a higher skill level usually use this type of cleat on longer grass, or wet soggy fields.

Indoor soccer shoes look similar to a sneaker, but they are very different. They are made with exclusive compounds in the sole that provide improved grip over sneakers. They are cut lower to prevent rolling off the ankles as your child makes the moves that soccer requires. They are made for firm surfaces like gyms, but not for indoor artificial turf.

Turf Shoes are specifically for playing on artificial turf. It doesn't matter if it is indoor or outdoor turf. The sole has been specially designed with studs that are shorter than molded or removable cleats. They are multi-directional in nature. This helps provide the grip necessary for playing on artificial turf.

Shinguards

Soccer shin guards are made from a variety of materials. These materials can include:

Plastic.
Polyurethane.
Foam rubber.
Fiberglass.
Foam/lycra.
Shin guards are required as part of youth soccer gear and one of the best ways to prevent injury. In soccer most of the action is at your feet. It is sometimes suggested that different positions need to wear a different type of shin guard. I will provide the information, but only you and your child can decide what is best.

Defenders - thicker model with more protection.
Midfielders - protective, lightweight, and more rounded in style.
Forwards - more ankle protection and very light.
This guide will be helpful in choosing the proper shin guard size for your child:

X-Small: up to a height of 3 feet 9 inches
Small: up to a height of 4 feet 5 inches
Medium: up to a height of 5 feet 1 inch
Large: over 5 feet 2 inches

Youth Soccer Socks

These socks are not much different from the socks that older players wear. They are just smaller. They are needed to hold the shin guards in place, and to match the team's uniform.

Less expensive socks are usually made from a polyester-acrylic blend. Sometimes cotton is added for comfort, but don't expect a lot of cotton. But you can find 100% cotton socks.

Choosing top quality socks made with synthetic microfibers will pull perspiration away from the foot. They will have a padded sole to enhance foot comfort as well.

TIP - If your child's foot sweats a great deal, put talcum powder or foot powder in the sock to help soak it up. This will help prevent blisters.

Youth Soccer Jerseys

Most jerseys today are made from a combination of light-weight microfibers that are and do not absorb much moisture. When it comes to youth soccer, the team or association usually supplies the jerseys. So for that reason, I will leave the jersey choosing to you and your soccer association. Unless you are looking for replica soccer jerseys.

Soccer Shorts

Even though they may be cool to your kids, baggy shorts are not good for the soccer field. If they are too long, they can restrict easy movement. If this happens your child may get injured, or may not play up to their ability. The less restriction, the better it is for their game. They also have to fit your team's uniform. Some associations will provide shorts and socks as part of the team uniform.

If you use this information as a guide you should be able to get the right youth soccer gear for your child.

Wayne MacLean has over 30 years of experience in the game of soccer. As a soccer coach, soccer player, soccer referee, and all-around soccer fan, Wayne is now adding a new dimension to his love of soccer. He now writes many articles and creates soccer videos to help those that are involved in soccer, are new to soccer, or just want to know more about soccer. Check out Youth Soccer Gear [http://www.soccer.information-universe.com/soccer-socks/youth-soccer-gear.php] for more great soccer information for yourself or your team.

The Soccer Drill Sargeant

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Youth Soccer Tournaments - Why Are There So Many in the US?

There are more youth soccer tournaments in the United States than any other country in the world.

In fact, the leading soccer tournament website, Soccer-Tournament-Guide.com, lists well over 2,000 youth soccer tournaments in the United States, far more than of the more traditional soccer countries such as Brazil, Germany, England and Argentina.

So why is it that a country that still largely doesn't "get" soccer on the professional level, promotes so many opportunities for kids to compete in soccer tournaments?

Well, ironically, one reason is the very fact that soccer has not been as popular here as in many other places, and the standard of play, for a long time, was not as high as in other parts of the world.

30 years ago, before there was a youth soccer club in every town, and when many of those that did exist, encouraged a kick-ball style of play, the few elite clubs that did play high-quality soccer found it very difficult to find similarly competitive teams to play against in their local area.

After a season of winning every game 9-0 against local competition, coaches would often use an end of season soccer tournament as an opportunity to test their teams against stiffer competition from the neighboring town, county, or even the neighboring state.

And, of course, in a country as large as the United States, finding higher level teams to play against often meant traveling greater and greater distances.

Pretty soon, long-distance travel to faraway youth soccer tournaments became a badge of honor for coaches, players and parents alike. On a subconscious level, it marked theirs as a higher level team, one that had to drive 100 miles just to find a team good enough to compete against them.

Clubs See a Cash Cow

On the other side of the equation were the tournament organizers.

Once youth soccer teams proved themselves willing to travel long distances, pay a hefty entry fee and stay a couple of nights at a hotel, just to play a few soccer games, clubs began to see a huge fund raising opportunity.

Even a fairly modest youth soccer tournament can bring in tens of thousands of dollars if it attracts 250 teams at $400 a pop, and is run by a largely unpaid volunteer labor force.

Clubs that got in on the "ground floor" in the 1970s were able to attract more players by using tournament proceeds to keep their own league registration fees lower. They were also able to buy and maintain expensive equipment and even build their own multi-field youth soccer complexes with the proceeds of their annual soccer tournaments

And, of course, once you have your own soccer complex to maintain, it makes sense to have more than one annual youth soccer tournament.

There are now several clubs that operate 3, 4, or even 5 youth tournaments a year, some accommodating over a thousand teams in a twelve month span.

Are There Too Many Tournaments?

In fact, there are now so many soccer tournaments in the US that some coaches are starting to worry about the effect it is all having on player development.

The emphasis on winning in youth soccer tournaments often detracts from the need for young players to master basic technical and tactical skills. And many worry about player burnout from extensive travel and too many games.

Many high-level youth soccer players these days play as many as 70 games per year. Some, who make national teams at various age groups, play up to a 100.

Meanwhile, the youth soccer development experts at US Soccer advocate playing 30 quality games a year with high-level training the rest of the time.

Whether it has been driven by the egos of the coaches, the vastness of the country, the fund raising ambitions of the hosting clubs, or the ever-growing base of committed soccer players, it is certain that the soccer tournament industry in the United States has evolved on a scale that makes it unique among soccer-playing nations.

Just what impact that has on the development of the sport at the highest levels remains to be seen.

Michael Jones is the publisher of http://www.soccer-tournament-guide.com/ and plays and coaches soccer on Cape Cod. More insights into the world of youth soccer tournaments from a coach's perspective can be found at http://www.soccer-tournament-guide.com/SoccerCoaches.html

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