Soccer Awards - All About World Cup Trophies and Awards

By Nico B Rama

The most popular and most coveted of all soccer awards, or football awards, is definitely the championship trophy of the FIFA World Cup. The league is the most valuable single-event sporting competition across the globe. Its latest staging, in 2010, attracted almost 50,000 spectators for every match and was aired to over 200 countries.

The FIFA World Cup has given two types of trophies in all its years of existence. One is the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was given to the winners since the league commenced in 1930 until 1970, when Brazil was entitled to keep the trophy for good as they won their third World Cup. Jules Rimet is the name of the FIFA President who pioneered the tournament.

Currently, the trophy that is awarded to the winner is simply named the FIFA World Cup Trophy. It is made of solid 18 carat gold and with a base that has 2 layers of malachite. Engraved at the bottom side are the names of the winners of the World Cup since 1974.The 6.175 kg trophy was created by Italian designer Silvio Gazzaniga. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is "lent" to the winning country until the next tournament comes. Afterwards, a gold-plated replica is given to them.

Aside from the trophy, the players and coaches of the top three teams are given medals engraved with the insignia of the World Cup Trophy. As in the tradition of most competitions, gold, silver and bronze are respectively given to the winner, the runner-up and the third-place finisher.

This particular tournament gives trophies symbolizing special accomplishments, too. The FIFA Fair Play Trophy is given to the team with the top fair play record during the season. It is the first special award that's given in the tournament from the time it was established. On a lighter note, an award for the Most Entertaining Team is literally for the team who has entertained the public the most in the whole duration of the tournament.

Individual players who have achieved extraordinary successes in their performance during the World Cup are also acknowledged with trophies.

The Golden Ball is given to the overall best player, which is named after voting by media members. The Golden Boot, on the other hand, goes to the number one goal scorer in the whole tournament. Silver and Bronze versions of the Ball and the Boot awards are given to those who ranked second and third in the said categories, respectively.

The best goalkeeper is also cited with the Golden Glove Award and is determined by the FIFA Technical Study Group. Recently, the said group has also started to decide on the most outstanding player aged 21 or younger, who deserves to be given the Best Young Player trophy.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is undoubtedly the most fiercely fought for prize among all soccer trophies. The whole tournament is one of the most festive and fun sporting events in the world and the FIFA member nations couldn't always wait for the next 4 years to fly by.

Soccer trophies and medals are available for ordering online at Awards and Trophies. Visit their site to see their selection of awards, trophies and plaques and their delivery provisions.

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How To Avoid Soccer Injuries

Here are tips that can help you protect your

kids from injury during the game of soccer

Soccer is a physical game that can subject players to potential injuries, some of which can be quite serious. Although physical contact between players is not a planned part of the game of soccer, the inevitable clashes during a match are as much a part of the game as controlling the ball.

From a spectator's standpoint, soccer does not seem like a physically brutal event, especially the way some players glide across the pitch like gazelles in the open range. Sometimes soccer players merely glance off each other in ballet fashion. But, for anyone who has been out on the soccer pitch in competition, the likelihood of getting hurt is ever present and there is probably not one soccer player out there who hasn't hit the ground or bounced off of an opponent or has had cuts and bruises.

These minor incidents pose no real threat to a soccer player's physical well-being. As all soccer parents can attest, physical contact while playing soccer is unavoidable. The obvious question, then, is - how do we keep the unavoidable contact from causing more than a few aches and pains?

There are actually two facets that come into play when considering the precautions that can be taken to keep your youth soccer player from getting seriously hurt. The one and oft thought primary consideration, of course, is soccer shin guards, the only real physical protection that a soccer player wears. Besides shin guards, a soccer player's body is virtually unprotected. And that vulnerability to injury is what makes the second consideration of paramount importance.

Soccer kids need to be taught how to think about avoiding injuries as part of the game. It is the mental attitude and knowledge of a player's own ability to anticipate potentially harmful situations and take actions to avoid them that can make the difference between being able to get up off the pitch and play on or get carried off.

Too often youth soccer coaches, in their zeal to compose a winning team, will spend too little time on safety. Safe play can be reinforced with pre-game and post game examples of what happens when certain actions are taken and what can be done differently to achieve a safer outcome the next time a similar situation presents itself. And kids need to understand that danger can come from not only their own actions, but that of the other soccer players on the pitch. They need to know how to avoid a charging opponent, while still maintaining control of the ball.

The key is to teach your kids an awareness of the safety aspects of the game of soccer. Then parents need not fear for their kids' safety on the soccer field when they are properly trained. Kids already have an inherent sense for avoiding harm and parents just need to make sure that their kids keep this sense sharp and how to apply it in any given situation.

The bottom line is - no potential glory on the soccer pitch is worth sacrificing the body for. There will be another day and another glory when good judgment is used.

Till Next Time,

Bernie Rosellen,

Soccer From The Pitch

Bernie Rosellen has played and been involved with soccer for over thirty years. He has coached youth soccer teams for almost twenty years. He still plays on two adult soccer teams in the Richmond, VA area today. Tapping his experiences as a soccer player and soccer coach, he writes articles as, Soccer From The Pitch, and provides content for websites such as http://www.SoccerCountry.com

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Choose the best soccer cleats

From soccer shoes to basic footwear, from high-technology to look, from aged to young, from support to package deal, everywhere Adidas is rocking all the way. When it comes to the field of soccer, Adidas soccer cleats could be the title people trust upon. The cause powering these acceptance is due to its excellent fitting and ease and comfort to each wearer's ft. The very best point about such sneakers is they will often provide you with ample area to breathe and would always preserve your ft at ease.

adidas soccer cleats: There are particular crucial features that you simply ought to bear in mind prior to acquiring Adidas soccer cleats for by yourself. Make sure you examine out the ease and comfort stage before choosing a brand new pair for your self. The subsequent most crucial issue that you simply should take into account could be the position in which you usually perform. Should you be a winger or possibly a striker then you go for light-weight shoe, that will let you speed up briskly. In case you are a midfielder then you definitely are guaranteed to go for Adidas Predator boot. The benefit of such cleat boots could it be can help the midfielder to shoot powerful shots from distance. In case you are playing while in the defending placement then it's definite that you just would need an excellent grip at your ft. In that circumstance, you must seem for the cleat shoe that provides outstanding grip, fantastic ball experience, outstanding kick velocity and ball managing nature.

popular adidas soccer cleats: Soccer cleat sneakers are deemed to get 1 of your most prominent things present in the wardrobe of any soccer player. No wonder, a great pair of these shoes not merely improves your efficiency on area but in addition support in stopping injuries. Right now, shopping for cleat boots have turned for being mind-boggling because of to your presence of Web. As comparison for the previously occasions, points continues to be less difficult therefore letting men and women shop for Adidas soccer cleats with almost no tension. There are certain web sites that supply fantastic reductions on cleats thus rendering it easier for you personally to get the branded items at sensible premiums. As soon as you are having a apparent notion of your item you are seeking for, online buying is surely the best way to go.

Most of us know that a sports man's performance primarily is determined by his/her capability and skill. Apart from the comfort element plays a significant function, particularly when it involves soccer cleats. That is the cause; sports folks are witnessed customizing their cleats as every their choice and choice. Nonetheless, customizing such boots isn't that straightforward, so it is usually better to pick your preferred one particular from a branded organization. Needless to say that Adidas is one particular these brand name where you're going to get unique selection of soccer cleats of your respective choice.

Adidas soccer cleats possess a large fan subsequent and is endorsed by several soccer legends. David Beckham takes place to get one particular these celebrity who has a line of Adidas merchandise named right after him. Created with premium quality artificial materials, the cleats from Adidas will be the very best bit of soccer items favorite by most gamers.

Read more about Best Soccer cleats at Adidas Soccer Cleats

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Soccer Training For Kids

Author: soccer

In today’s competitive sports world, soccer game is more popular and hence the need for coaches to conduct soccer training programs for kids is increasing day by day. Soccer coaches should understand and motivate the kids and always try to keep the soccer training program session interesting with fun. While giving soccer training to kids, coaches should consider certain things that can impress kids.

Soccer coaching skills and strategies

Every coach in the soccer training program should provide coaching in a different way as kids come to the training session with an intention to have excitement and fun. Kids will lose interest and will not enjoy the game if the coach makes the game look serious. Hence coach should not be too strict and not too light as well. It is better for coach to avoid long lectures and focus on some of the interactive games, drills for soccer, etc to make the kids attracted and engaged. Coaches should explain the soccer briefly to kids and allow them to run around and play.

Dribbling and shooting

In Soccer training programs, soccer drilling method is one the effective ways which can improve dribbling and shooting skills for kids. In this method, the coach should line up the kids in a single goal line and ensure that he has scattered large number of balls over the soccer field. Now he should allow the kids to move towards these balls, pick the balls and put it into the goal on the opposite side. If there are more number of kids to practice this soccer drilling and shooting method, then the coach should split up them into two groups. Both the groups should be allocated one or two goal keepers and these goal keepers take care of giving opportunities to all the kids for practicing this simple drill method.

Other soccer coaching tricks

To get started with kids, the coaches can perform other soccer training programs and strategies such as fun soccer conditioning, circuit training and making use of soccer coaching drills. Soccer coaches can advice kids to warm their bodies by going for a small round for jogging or running. This can help the kids to identify their limit and they do not exceed the limit. Often kids faint when they exceed their limit. Coaches should ensure that they make the kids to take small breaks in between which can help the kids to refresh and pep up.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/soccer-training-for-kids-1873099.html

About the Author

The above mentioned soccer training program for kids can help the soccer coaches to provide effective training and succeed. Soccersrillsforparents.com is website that has enhanced drilling and dribbling training methods for kids.

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How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

The global power of soccer might be a little hard for Americans, living in a country that views the game with the same skepticism used for the metric system and the threat of killer bees, to grasp fully. But in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, soccer is not merely a pastime but often an expression of the social, economic, political, and racial composition of the communities that host both the teams and their throngs of enthusiastic fans.


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FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 Official Theme Song

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2010 FIFA World Cup Match Reviews - South Africa Versus Mexico

After the gala opening ceremony at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, Mexico kicked off against South Africa. "Bafana Bafana," although supported by over 80,000 spectators and playing on home turf, started as underdogs against the 2009 CONCACAF champions. South Africa played in their traditional yellow shirts, green shorts and yellow socks, while the Mexicans donned their new dark green kit. Just to avoid defeat would have been a good result for South Africa and they did just that, managing a 1-1 draw with Mexico after taking a surprise lead.

Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan got the match underway, with Mexico taking the kick-off. The Mexicans started brightly, playing in their usual manner. They maintained possession of the ball, playing regular short passes to work on the patience of the South Africans. In the first few minutes, they tested the South African's defence with some good crosses outside of the penalty area.

South Africa settled after the opening ten minutes and was able to interrupt the smooth flow of the Mexicans, even though the CONCACAF champions dominated ball possession. South Africa managed to carve out a couple of good chances in the first half. However, at the end of the first half the game was goalless despite the chances created by either side.

In the second half, South Africa started more positively and there was more balance in the flow of play. The Mexicans played a higher defensive line as they searched for the opening goal. However, their high defensive line left them vulnerable to a counter-attack. In the 55th minute of the game, Siphiwe Tshabalala exploited this vulnerability with a defence-splitting run on a swift counter-attack that started just after the halfway line. His clinical strike at the end of that run beat goalkeeper Oscar Perez from the left side of the penalty area to hit the corner of the net; South Africa had a surprising 1-0 lead.

Bafana Bafana coach Alberto Parreira adopted a defensive posture at that point, using the counter-attack and getting several players behind the ball when Mexico was in possession. The Mexicans found it difficult to break through and coach Javier Aguirre sought to get inspiration by introducing veteran striker Cuatemoc Blanco in the latter stages of the match. Blanco struck took the corner that eventually resulted in a Mexican equalizer. In the 79th minute, defender Rafael Marquez controlled the ball just outside the goal area and placed his shot past Itumeleng Khune in goal to shake the onion bag.

While the Mexicans pressed for the winner, South Africa came close to victory from a counter-attack that was similar to Tshabalala's opening. This time, midfielder Katlego Mphela struck the upright after beating Oscar Perez. Mexico dominated possession 65% - 35% and had more shots on goal than the home side. However, that domination did not translate to victory. In the end, it was a far result for both teams in a match contested in the right spirit. The Uzbekistan referee did not have to make any controversial calls and he showed only four yellow cards - two to each side.

Both sides would require better defensive work and finishing while South Africa should be concerned about their ball possession. Nevertheless, this result ensured that Mexico and South Africa would have a chance of qualifying in their final group matches of Group A.

And now, you can read more articles on soccer (with illustrations):
Offside law: http://hubpages.com/hub/Soccer-offside-offences
Throw in: http://hubpages.com/hub/Soccer-laws-and-rules-The-throw-in

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