The winners from each series will make it into the final 32 teams that compose the group stage, which kicks-off September 13-14.

There are only ten tickets at stake for Europe's finest football club competition, and none of the 20 teams fighting for one want to be left out from it. The 2011-12 UEFA Champions League Playoffs began this week with several surprises, such as Villareal's 1-0 on the road loss against Odense, which just like the rest of squads that are down in the scoreboard will have to come from behind on leg 2 to claim group stage berth. These decisive games will be disputed August 23-24.

German giants Bayern Munich will travel to Zurich with the tranquility of a two-goal lead, thanks to Schweinsteiger's and Robben's goals. The hosts were fully in control of a game that they were going to end without setbacks, as they were able to keep a clean sheet.

Despite defeating Udinese at home 1-0 (Walcott) Arsenal left many doubts that night, doubts that will be present next Wednesday at Friuli stadium. Mentally vulnerable after the departure of their captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, and most likely Samir Nasri to Manchester City, the Gunners have serious problems to overcome.

With just six more minutes to go Virrareal suffered the goal that has them against the rope versus Odense. Andreasen scored the winner goal for the home team that could become one of the surprises of the competition if able to defend their lead at Madrigal Stadium next Tuesday.

Stunned 3-1 at home by Viktoria Plzen, Copenhagen will have to row against the tide on Wednesday in Czech Republic. Kolar, Pilar and Fillo scored for the visitors' and Ottensen the discount for the hosts that last season reached the knock out stage of the competition.

Lyon did make the best from the home field advantage, and overcame an early goal from Rubin Kazan (Dyadyun at minute 3) with three from Gomis, Kvirkvelia and Briad in the 3-1 win. This two goal lead place the Frenchmen with one foot in the group stage, but they can't relax for Wednesday's game at Russia promises to be a very tough one.

An exciting game was lived at the Netherlands between Twente and Benfica, which ended up tied to 2. De Jong gave the visitors the lead early in the game, until Cardozo leveled the score momentarily for The Tukkers, but then Nolito putted things 2-1 for the Portuguese squad, result with which they went to halftime. And with ten minutes to go Ruiz kept Twente's group stage aspirations alive by scoring the definite 2-2. Next game will be Wednesday.

In other results Dinamo Zagreb imposed themselves a home 4-1 over Malmo, results that allows them to travel to Sweden for Tuesday's game with their group stage berth pretty much secured. Wisla will have a tough visit to Cyprus, since they defeated APOEL by 1-0. The s ame goes for Israel's M. Haifa that will travel with the minimum difference to Belguim, where Genk will try to overcome the 2-1 Leg 1 loss on Tuesday. And on Wednesday BATE and Sturm Graz will be breaking the 1-1 tie with which Leg 1 ended.

The group stage kick-off September 13-14 with the defending champions Barcelona as the team to beat.

What's really surprising to know is that coaches refuse to use a soccer field diagram to teach several different soccer formations to kids. Or in case they do it, they fall short of making the players appreciate the significance of 4 main positions. These 4 positions are Forwards, Midfielders, Defenders, and the Goalie. Let's individually talk about these.

Forwards: These are the players who place themselves by the opponent's goal. Their task is to turn the passes into goals that other players at several positions in field make. Because they will be the ones who make maximum shoots to the goal, they need to be very tough. This is important even if they do not have other skills of great quality.

Nonetheless, the other players shall apparently keep shifting from one position to a different position. Forward players when playing in the middle are known as strikers and when playing close to the touch lines, they are called wings. However, in accordance with their chief job as forwards, they need to have a tough body and strong shooting toes.

Mid-fielders: As is clear from the name, these players play in the middle of the soccer field. Their task is to get the ball, then pass it to the forward players so that they can move them into goalposts for scoring. There are either normally 5 or 6 mid-fielders. Define their position clearly in the soccer field diagram.

The coach should focus on improving the tackling and dribbling abilities of the players. This is really instrumental in stealing the ball from the opposition and attacking the opposition. Apart from this, they should be good at passing the ball. These are crucial soccer positions on the field diagram.

Defenders: These players protect the goal from attacks and hence are called defenders. As you can visualize, their position is crucial. They are 3 to 5 in number and guard the goal closely to avert attacks.

Apart from this, their task is to collect the ball from the goalie and pass it to the players. One skill that is primary to their armory is kicking the ball to far off midfielders and therefore the coach must help them develop this ability.

Goalie: This is the person who defends the goal post and never allows the attacks to convert to goals. When all other players are unsuccessful in defending the goal, the goalie must use his powers to subvert the attack.

Because the goalie can use his hands and the only one in the team allowed to do this, the coach should invent special soccer tactics, drills and exercises to make the most of it.

Now that you are armed with this information, you must create a soccer field diagram and then discuss these positions with your players. This will let them understand the significance of the various positions. Our youth soccer coaching community has several useful newsletters, articles, and videos. Enroll today to make the most of them and rise in your coaching career.

Don't you just hate it when undertaking drills for soccer, your players are not able to head the ball properly? Heading the ball is an important skill that aids the players in controlling and maneuvering the ball when it's still afloat.

Several times in a match the ball will have to be passed in the air to get from one point to another. When it's easy for the players to use their head for stopping and capturing the ball, it means they'll retain the control of the ball in majority of instances.

A few soccer drills are there that have been devised with just one goal; developing player's heading talent. Let's discuss a few of those:

The players must be divided in groups of 2 to 3 players maximum, prior to starting with these drills.

Heading volleyball: The flawless method to master the skill of heading the ball is this. It is simple for two players to perform it alongside each other in such drills for soccer. It is exactly same as playing volleyball with the exception of that players throw the ball over to the other side of the net with their heads instead of hands. However, they can use their hands to serve the ball.

The points are given based on the players successfully heading the ball across the net. Badminton net can be used for performing this drill.

Juggling: Like in the previous drill, this too can be performed with 2 players or just one. In case of a single player, he or she can juggle the ball with their forehead. So hurl the ball aloft and start practicing immediately. It is but obvious that this drill is comparatively tougher and the player gets better at it by practicing.

In case of 2 players, they can throw the ball in the air and use their heads to throw it back to each other. The player who does not let the ball get down emerges the winner.

When you throw the ball, keep 2 players standing apart by 10 feet. Hurl the ball at them randomly and ask them to head it back. Keep in mind to tell them to jump before hitting the ball. This will help them learn the trick efficiently.

Here is a word of caution; Teach the players to head the ball in a way so that they use their forehead instead of top or side of their heads. If they do not do this, they will have headaches and there are chances of injury too.

This soccer practice is best achieved the following way; when the ball is approaching the player, he or she should focus on it and bring their forehead in line with the ball. Then they jump and hit so that the ball gets height and momentum.

Move ahead and include these drills for soccer in your training sessions. The sight of them using their head to hit the ball will surprise you. Our youth soccer coaching community has many more informative articles, newsletters, videos and other resources that will help you train your kids even better. Enroll today and reap the benefits.

The hints created here are for soccer model place kickers.

1. Positioning the ball:

The area kicker lines up 7 yards powering the middle. For practice reasons, start out about twenty yards from the intention posts. The ball need to have a slight backwards tilt irrespective of whether it is being set by the holder or put in a kicking tee.

2. Positioning the location kicker:

1st. Get one stride backwards from wherever the ball will be positioned.

2nd. Consider two or far more strides, relying on your comfort zone, to the aspect, measuring off the distance from in which the ball will be addressed.

third. It is very significant spot kickers constantly measure off the same distance irrespective of the distance essential to kick the discipline target.

4th. The correct angle for addressing and kicking the ball. Productive spot kickers come in on the ball from fifty percent the distance of their facet steps. Should subject intention kickers get 6 methods to the aspect, they want to take three steps in as the solution and kick the ball.

three. Appear at the up rights, visualize the ball sailing via, splitting the purpose posts.

4. Approaching the ball for the location kick:

1st: Kind of jab at the floor with the plant foot to begin the forward momentum.

2nd. Get the firs move with the kicking foot.

3rd. Get started coming in in direction of fifty percent the distance stepped out.

4th. As you are all set to kick the ball, beginning at the heel firmly get the plant foot planted in the floor.

5th. The plant foot must be pointing straight towards the aim posts, even with the ball and about 1 foot from the ball.

five. Kicking the ball

1st.Resting the excess weight on the plant foot, make guaranteed the entire body is dealing with the purpose posts.

2nd. Strike the ball with the higher bone of the middle of the foot.

3rd. Kick the ball in the reduce 3rd, in any other case you probability topping the ball. Kicking Decrease on the ball adds height.

4th. Hold the head down and abide by by means of extending the kicking leg as far as probable. Lifting the head early can induce the ball to go to the right for perfect footed kickers and left for left footed kickers.

Kickers really should do about 20 minutes of warm up workout routines just before practicing. These warm ups ought to contain stretching workout routines to keep away from pulled muscle tissues and get the most out of location kicking apply. Bear in mind it is top quality and not quantity that results in productive discipline intention kickers.

Finding out how to kick a soccer ball might get you a even though. As with every little thing else, training is the critical. You need to not be troubled if you can't get it correct specifically, alternatively focus on executing right and the success will come, I promise. Now, let us consider at what you want to know although training on your soccer kick.

The Soccer Kick Do's

Notice that when you shop for clothes through local shops that you need to try the products on. You go inside a cubicle to fit the clothing. Well, with the team dresser provided whilst you order Stanno football kits, everything else will be easier. This particular tool or feature of Stanno's website will make your purchase all worth it. Get ready to use the team dresser to help you order your Stanno Football kits.

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As we all know, soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Millions of people from all walks of life enjoy watching it because it is exciting. To master all skills of the game, it takes some effort and dedication from a player. There are a few drills that anyone can use to improve on his/her soccer skills. In fact, most of them are tailored with the amateur in mind.

Controlling the ball

To do this, one needs to have a partner and if not, a rebound board. Having control of the ball is very important because once one is able to take full control of the ball; he/she can be able to learn the next move. The player learning ball control spends time kicking the ball off the rebound board and trying as much as he/she can to control it when it comes back. The secret is using just one touch to kill the speed. Once one is able to control the ball effectively with the feet, it will also be possible to control it with other parts of the body like the chest and also the knees.

Passing the ball

This is another very important drill that each and every football player should know. This should be done by standing ten feet apart and trying to pass the ball to the next person. Once the ball arrives at one player, he/she should try to pass it to the next person as fast as possible. With more progress, the players can move further apart and continue with the drill until they become efficient. Both passing and controlling the ball are fundamentals and therefore each soccer player should be good at them.

Heading the ball

This drill requires two players and one ball. One player throws the ball into the air to the other player who heads it back. Both players should take chances to practice so that they both become good at it.

Dribbling the ball

This drill needs a few cones and a ball and it can be done by as many players as possible. The cones should be set out in a straight line approximately 4 or 5 feet apart. The players should take turns running with the ball between the cones and at the same time keeping the ball really close to the feet and under control. The players should increase on the speed so as to be able to perfect their dribbling skills because they are important when tackling opposition.

Once the players have perfected dribbling between the cones, it is important to set small opposition teams so as to be able to know how to get past another player. One player takes on a defender's role and tries to stop the other. An area should be marked in which the players must remain. Any coach watching should from that point will get an idea of who are his/her best strikers and defenders too. The above drills are in most cases used on players who are beginning to play soccer. However, even advanced players in the game still use them for regular practice.