Goalkeepers Are Crazy

Wear different and usually more colourful soccer uniforms than the rest of the team, and sometimes even a nice hat. Goalkeepers not only play differently but often have their own training coach, who will be more than likely a former goalkeeper. They rarely achieve the status of being the captain of the team, simply because they are too far away from the center of play. In general, goalkeepers shout a lot and often get very upset with their team mates as well as the opposing team, the referee and anyone else who comes within distance. That may be why, goalkeepers, over the years, may have earned the title of being a bit crazy.

There are a number of theories around as to why a footballer would want to become a goalkeeper. Some say that they are failed strikers, who were too big and clumsy to make the grade or frustrated central defenders. One thing for sure is that a goalkeeper's role is difficult. Supporters will eventually forget a major blunder that a striker, midfield player or even a defender makes, but they will take a lot longer to forgive a goalkeeper their transgressions.
On the other hand a goalkeeper may spend 80 minutes as a virtual spectator in a one sided football match, but needs to be ready to spring into action should the opposing team spring into action.

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So is it any wonder that keepers tend to be a little "eccentric". The history of soccer has produced a very large number, only some of who can be mentioned, and not necessarily in order of eccentricity.

One of the most outstanding goalkeepers of the 1980s and D90's was the Paraguayan Jose Luis Felix Chilavert, Chilavert played his club football in Argentina and Spain and ran the roost as the Paraguay goalkeeper for more than a decade winning the title World Goalkeeper of the Year by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in 1995, 1997, and 1998. As a club player, Chilavert enjoyed the most success of his career playing for Vélez Sársfield, helping them win the Argentine championship four times as well as the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup, both in 1994.

A large and imposing personality, Chilavert expressed his ability as a frustrated outfield player by insisting in taking all the free kicks and penalties for the clubs that he played for. First of all, he was too big and crazy to be argued with, and secondly because he was an exceptional dead ball expert. Chilavert earned his place in soccer becoming the first (and to date only) goalkeeper to score a hat-trick in the history of football, while playing for Vélez, with all three goals through penalties. He is also remembered fondly or otherwise for a memorable free-kick goal from behind the half-way line against River Plate. Chilavert took part in 74 international for Paraguay and holds the goalkeeper-record of eight international goals. Chilavert retired from international football in 2003, surprisingly enough after a feud with the team directors.

It is said that Welsh born Neville Southall became a goalkeeper simply because when he discovered soccer he was too old and a little too overweight to play outfield. Yet at his peak, also in the 1990s Southall was regarded as the finest goalkeeper in the world. Southall dominated his penalty area like few others, and when found in a one-on-one situation mostly always came out on top. Neville, who played most of his club football with Everton in the English league, where he made a club record 578 league appearances (over 750 in all competitions) and won two Football League championships. Unlike Chilavert, Southall was a very placid character, who rarely ventured out of his penalty area. Short for a goalkeeper, Southall earned some notoriety as being a bit "unkempt" and needing a haircut, shave and a diet.
Despite that, Southall was voted England's Footballer of The Year in 1985, extremely rare for a goalkeeper, He represented Wales a record 92 times.

Another famous "eccentric" goalkeeper is Rene Higuita of Colombia, Higuita also liked to have a shot at goal now and again, scoring three goals in 69 international appearances, However Higuita is particularly remembered for three highlights of his career, best described as the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good: The remarkable "scorpion kick", save he made in a friendly against England at Wembley. Higuita saved a shot between his feet while perched on his hands, a trick he succeeded in repeating on a number of occasions.

The Bad: Higuita was already known for having an eccentric playing style and taking risks, when an unforced error in the full glare of the World media that got knocked Colombia out of the 1990 World Cup. Higuita was caught in possession 35 yards from goal enabling Cameroon striker Roger Milla to dispossess him, and score the winning goal.

The Ugly: Higuita's amazing hairstyle which only went further to prove that goalkeepers are crazy.

Goalkeepers Are Crazy

Steps to Build a Soccer Goal

As a soccer enthusiast, one of your greatest dreams aside from your motivation to build a soccer goal is to have a field of your own, right? Or, if you are not the one who loved the sport, maybe one of your kids does. If you have a vacant area or a decent-sized backyard that you think can be modified into a practice field, then why not do it!

One of the problems that you will encounter in laying out a backyard field is how to make your own goal. It is not a big deal though. Just a few simple steps and an ample time plus some of the cheap or recycled materials will do. Remember that when you build a goal in your own backyard, you can have many benefits. You don't need to haul your brood to the nearest practice fields just to have some fun with them. By building your own soccer goal, you are not only saving time for them but you are also putting more safety on your kids in the comfort of your own home.

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When you consider building a goal, what you have to do is gather all the necessary materials first. You need dig a hole so keep a post-hole digger handy first and foremost. The next thing you have to secure is the level, pieces of good lumber (4x4's) and a piece of two by four for the crossbar. You would also need some nails, tape measure and concrete mix for the goal post foundation.

The first thing in order to build a soccer goal is to dig the two necessary holes. After mixing the concrete mix, pour it in the hole where the post is supposedly standing. Before the concrete has dried, make sure that the crossbar is already attached at the top of the crossbar and flat by the aid of the level. The next thing you have to do is to wait for the concrete to harden before you can start playing and enjoying together with your kids. The concrete will take two to three days to cure.

Steps to Build a Soccer Goal

Soccer Logo - Pride of Every Football Team

A soccer logo can be found anywhere but primarily it represents the ultimate character of a team. Football logos are the best choice in providing recognition and identity for a club. The very reason for logos in general is the identity and relevance of its teams. Soccer tournaments are all over the world and each team wears a logo to signify the team's crusade towards victory. The logo for each team is a symbol of its hard work and is also the best reminder for the players so that they will work with one another to find victory.

A soccer logo doesn't just pop out of a canvass. It results from a thorough conceptualization of the strong attributes of a certain team. An essential symbolism and recall can be employed so that the team can leave a mark in the minds of the enthusiasts. A strong sense of belongingness in the minds of the players can bring their skills to a higher level. Team Logos will eventually motivate them which thereby results to a different level of entertainment.

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Trademarks are also found on the uniforms of professional players. These trademarks are often logos of brands of certain products. The embedded logos of uniforms add vibrancy to the attractive colors of the shorts and shirts. Often these logos complement the color of a certain team. Logos are used not just for aesthetic or advertising reasons. They stand for the recognition, pride and teamwork of the teams. In addition, they serve as source of motivation and inspiration to the soccer players.

Soccer Logo - Pride of Every Football Team

In Football Marketing What Matters is Getting the Basics and Fundamentals Right

I have watched armature teams spending hours on end training day in day out. They do not have holidays, no weekends and no weekdays. Everyday is a football day. When two armature teams meet it is very difficult to see the difference for an untrained eye. Each team stands its ground. But, every time these armature teams meet the professional outfit that is when you see the gulf in abilities. They lick goals in dozens. These armature teams spend equal time some times more time training than the professionals. But why can't armature outfits hold their own when they meet professionals? Why do they get beaten convincingly? Michael Jordan deciphered this mystery for us, he said:

"It comes down to a very simple saying: there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.

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Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise."

All the armature teams are doing through these hours of training day in day out is practicing the wrong techniques, they get the fundamentals wrong and become experts in doing the wrong things. That is why the get a pasting every time they play professional outfits.

This is true with football marketing as well. I have seen clubs doing TV adverts, setting up street posters, opening supporter branches and doing all kinds of things with little or negligible difference. The stadiums continue to be empty on match days. The support base continues to be lukewarm and the benefits from fans continue to elude these clubs.

These clubs have got the fundamentals and basics wrong. They have simply become experts at doing the wrong things.

In football marketing fundamentals involve getting fan relationships right and putting in place community activities that keep you in the mind of the fans. When you get these fundamental down the level of everything you do will rise vis-à-vis filling your stadium and fan growth.

In Football Marketing What Matters is Getting the Basics and Fundamentals Right

Sports Psychology - The Wayne Rooney Affair

It's two days before England's Euro Qualifier trip to Switzerland and the Sunday papers are full of news of Wayne Rooney's daliances off the field. Personal issues which were apparently, casting a shadow over Rooney during the 2010 World Cup.

But Rooney starts against the Swiss. Fabio Capello has faith in the striker to put his issues behind him. However, it may not be as straight forward as that.

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A goal-scorer is the one position in the football field, where a clear mind is critical. Strikers who experience any sort of worry or anxiety, will lose their goal-scoring touch. Why?

Because without a clear mind, chances are snatched at. Thought replaces the instinct in key moments. The vital trust which a striker needs to score goals, becomes overlaid with doubts and uncertainty.

Wayne Rooney is troubled right now. His wife is threatening to divorce him. His infidelity is the subject of a national debate. He has broken the sacred bond of trust between himself and his wife. And everyone knows about it.

He is where Tiger Woods was six months ago. Although Rooney doesn't have a squeaky clean image to protect, the sense of personal embarrassment is still enormous.

Rooney must get all his feelings off his chest. Unless he does, the burden of shame will haunt him and negate his natural feeling for the game.

Once he does release the burden, the old feelings will come flooding back, and Wayne Rooney will feel revitalised. But until then, his search for the golden touch will continue.

Sports Psychology - The Wayne Rooney Affair

100 Percent Win Betting Strategy For Football

Rather than just randomly picking football matches to place your bet on, there is a recent trend in fixed odds betting to employ a 'betting strategy' or 'betting system'. Almost all systems rely on some sort of points rating scheme where a team is awarded a certain number of points depending upon aspects such as home advantage, league position, recent form etc.

You must know the rules and regulations of the sport you want to bet on in detail before you develop a strategy. This means that you have to be a football fan already. It is a lot easier for those who have prior knowledge of the sport whether as a player, spectator, or a tactician. For those without prior knowledge, watching and analyzing football matches can help you learn the rules of the game quite easily.

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There is no betting system that can achieve 100% success; however, some are far much better than others at predicting the outcome of games. One football season might see one betting strategy work and another fail, whereas the following season the roles can be reversed. For example, many punters study the rankings table in order to predict outcomes of games.

One punter might use a system which says that if the home team is 3 or more places higher than the away team, then he would back the home team to win every game. This may prove to be quite correct many times, but over the course of 2 or 3 seasons it would be guaranteed that he would be as effective as earlier. Of course to improve upon this system the punter would need to study current form, goal difference, injury problems in teams etc. and then balance this against the odds which are being offered to him.

Price percentage betting

The bookmaker earns his living through what is known as 'the bookies over-round'. There is no way to bet on all 3 outcomes of a game; win, lose draw and expect to win. The three different odds on offer usually know as price percentage, will work against you and eventually you will lose the bet. You must remember that in order to win money at fixed odds betting you must be able to guarantee long term profits.

The art of success is to guarantee a long term returns on bets. Successful betting on fixed odds football matches can be sound financial investment advice if you have a sound system.

In order to get good returns you need to gain an 'edge' over the bookie. 99.9% of amateur punters fail to do this for various reasons. You must a excellent knowledge of betting, football and statistics.

The do's and don'ts of football betting:

- Don't place a bet just because you 'fancy having a bet'.
- Don't waste money on high accumulator bets.
- Don't persist with losing systems.
- Keep a record of all the bets placed

100 Percent Win Betting Strategy For Football

France National Football Team - A Little History

France made their entry into the international field of Football in 1903. The team, associated with the French Football Federation, goes under the nickname "Les Bleus" (The Blues) in France. Today, France's football team offers a high level of competition in matches - but believe it or not, the team used to be very modest, one that some would consider an "easy game". Their first international match was versus Belgium, and was a tie game. In 1930, France's national team was one of the four initial teams from Europe that participated in the inaugural World Cup. Nonetheless, at that time, France's team was still looked down upon as an easy defeat. In the mid 1950's, France did see some mild success, for once not being at the bottom of the standings.

Their first true experience at being a huge success came at the end of 1984. From December of 1984 to April of 1985, France was ranked number one in the Elo ranking categorization of football teams. This success was held out fairly well, and met another high point from May of 2001 to May of 2002, when the team from France sustained a FIFA ranking of number one; today, this number one FIFA ranking means more worldwide, as FIFA is an internationally recognizable organization.

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Perhaps most memorable for many people is France's win of the FIFA World Cup in 1998. Thirty two different teams, from five different confederations, competed through 64 matches. France won nearly every match that they competed in, and ended up taking the championship upon beating Brazil 0 to 3. Other awards given to the French football team during the 1998 FIFA World Cup include "Most Entertaining Team", and the "FIFA Fair Play" Trophy. The Stadium that the French Football team usually plays at is the "Stade de France", which was built in 1995 and opened during 1998. The construction of the stadium cost over 285 Million Euros. In fact, the stadium was built for the purpose of the 1998 FIFA world cup - it's both ironic and fitting that France would win the world cup at their own stadium the year that it opened. After the World Cup, the Stade de France has continuously been used for various football events, although for the majority of the year, the stadium is empty. The majority of events that France's team participates in at the Stade de France are won by the French team, partially owing to the home team advantage of having more frequent access to that field, as well as higher morale and support from the crowd.

France's team may still not be the most reputable team around, but from their humble beginnings they were able to rise into a team that is recognizable in many places around the world, and were even able to claim the glorious title of World Champions.

France National Football Team - A Little History