Friday, February 29, 2008

Kaka Contract Lifts AC Milan

Ricky Kaka has extended his contract with AC Milan until 2013.

The current World and European player of the year still had two years of his current deal to run.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed that negotiations had been completed quickly as the 25-year-old has stated his desire to become a true symbol of the club in the mould of captain Paolo Maldini.

He added: "He already is that and also the best player in the world.

"This contract is for the rest of his career and I hope that if he is still playing in 2013 that we will be able to get him to sign another one."

The Brazilian played a major part in propelling the Rossoneri to the Champions League last year and finished top scorer in the competition.

However, the attacking-midfielder has been plagued by a knee problem this campaign which will force him out of the Serie A Game Day 26 meeting with Lazio.

Defender Alessandro Nesta is also missing as he recovers from a recent injury but the pair are both expected to line-up against Arsenal in the Champions League next week.

This article was featured on SereA.tv. Click here to go directly to the site.


Click here to watch Kaka' goal against Catania

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Totti Helps Heal AS Roma Ills

Francesco Totti has revealed that beating Real Madrid has brought him back to good health.

Despite a bout of flu, the AS Roma captain was instrumental in the Champions League win on Tuesday.

He said: "I was feeling ill with a high temperature and was actually sick before the match.

"But after the victory, I feel great."

Totti put on his best performance to guide the capital side to an important first-leg victory after struggling in recent games from foot and back strains.

The Giallorossi title challenge has stuttered as a consequence of their top goalscorer's lack of form with two defeats, against Siena and Juventus, in three Serie A games.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old and teammate Amantino Mancini have patched up their differences after two years of silence.

The Brazilian winger said: "I've always had an understanding with Totti on the field, even when we weren't speaking off it because of our stubborn pride.

This article was featured on SereA.tv. Click here to go directly to the site.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

New Approach on Soccer Camp Philosophy

Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School has a brand new approach to soccer training. We bring top level Italian Soccer Coaches to your club. The concept is simple:

We bring top level Italian Soccer Coaches to your club. The Italian Coaches will work closely with club players and coaches.

This how easy it is. Soccerkix travels to each location to conduct incredibly enjoyable and motivating camps and training sessions for players right on their field. The players get creative, age-tailored instruction in fundamental skills as well as great tactical instruction. Players are assured to have a great time while improving their game.

So, learn from the best, book a camp at your location today. Camp locations are limited, e-mail or call 800-954-7086 to find out how to bring professional Italian coaches to a soccer club.Camp information:Scuola Calcio Camps were founded on the basis of bringing soccer to youth players around the world.

Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) Camps are scheduled across the world and are presented by Soccerkix and Scuola Calcio Director Antonio Saviano. Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) Camps offer players a new way to learn skills in a safe and humanistic camp environment. Utilizing the best soccer instructors around the world, Scuola Calcio camps present a series of challenges to the students, designed to expand their physical and mental soccer abilities while delivering success and building self esteem on and off the soccer field.

Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) camps are tough and intense. The participants become part of a very special family, a family that is from all over the world. The skills, friendships and self-respect that the players gain will last a lifetime. Our technical sessions will improve a person's ball work, while tactical sessions will improve a person's field vision. If people want to improve their soccer skills and have fun while doing it, then they must consider the Scuola Calcio Camps. Scuola Calcio will come and work with players and coaching staff, educating the coaching staff into best using their time and efforts to get the most out of a training session.

Camp philosophy:
The philosophy of Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School Camps is to strengthen the foundation of youth soccer in the world and "fertilize” the grassroots of the soccer game by providing quality coaching and instruction for young soccer players. Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School is a resource for organizations, players and coaches to expand their knowledge of the game and the betterment of the team and individuals.

Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School is dedicated to the improvement of soccer players and coaches at all skill levels, and to the expansion of the base of knowledge upon which the future of youth soccer is built.

Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School is committed to excellence in Athletics, each young player is taught to perform successfully at the highest possible level in accordance with the very best modern training methods. Our main objective is to provide all participants with the knowledge and skill needed to fulfill their athletic potential in a healthy, entertaining environment

Cassano Focused on Playing

Antonio Cassano has been grabbing the headlines for all the right reasons.

The Sampdoria striker lit up the Derby of the Laterns against Genoa with a sublime performance.

Hero status in the eyes of the Doria fans was assured when in the dying moments he bamboozled three defenders before delivering a telling cross for Christian Maggio to score the winner.

However, the 25-year-old admitted he was making up for lost time, having failed to prove his worth at Real Madrid over two seasons.

The Bari-born star said: "I became too distracted in Madrid, away from the life of a footballer.

"I wanted to come back to Italy because Madrid wasn't the type of city for me to be a sportsman."

Despite some controversial on-field antics, the former AS Roma star is now thriving in his new-found role as team leader as coach Walter Mazzarri's side chase a UEFA Cup spot.

He added: "I could easily see myself signing a long-term contract here. I have even told the president I will reduce my salary if he can build a title-challenging side."

In the picture, no sitting down on the job for Antonio Cassano after five goals in 13 Serie A appearances this season

This article was featured on SerieA.tv. To visit SerieA.tv click here!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Italian Soccer School - Scuola Calcio Program in Jekyll Island

Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and Savannah International Soccer Academy (SISA) are pleased to announce and present another fantastic and unforgettable Summer 2008 Italian Soccer School program.

Academy Directors of Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and Savannah International Soccer Academy feel very confident that 2008 will be even better than our very successful 2007 & 2006 programs."This past summer we had a great success with our Italian Soccer School Program and we are looking forward to another fantastic summer" said Dek Smith, SISA Director. He went on to say: "We have built our itinerary on player and parent recommendations to continually improve our program and offer you a true 100% Italian soccer and cultural learning experience". "All our coaches and teachers arrive direct from Italy to deliver the best Italian soccer/cultural day by day learning program in North America. Our instructors and teachers are always in attendance throughout this 16 day Italian summer program, here in the USA. Said Antonio Saviano, Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School Coordinator.

The program includes all coaching fees plus direct Italian language course offered throughout the program. Italian language expands from the classroom every day on to the soccer field and throughout the program. Italian will be spoken throughout the course at meal times and during day by day vocal exchanges. Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and SISA will provide proven teaching methods to our players around the clock to enhance their Italian Soccer Experience. Players will be exposed to the beautiful game and beautiful language every day, on the field, at the poolside, and at every opportunity.Player will stay and train at the soccer complex on beautiful Jekyll Island at one of the famous barrier Island’s along the Georgia coastline. www.jekyllisland.com

All players will stay in beach fronted hotel facilities (http://www.jekyllislandga.com/). Players will be housed in oceanfront apartments. Villas By The Sea Resort is the program hosuing facilities. All apartments come with on suite facilities plus fridge, microwaves and full kitchen facilities. Players will be provided with well stocked fridges and cabinets for breakfast in their own room every day. Players will have lunch at various locations around the Island including Summer Waves and the Beach Deck. Evening meals will be provided by restaurant, cookouts or beach pizza parties.

More than just soccer, players will spend time together on our away day trips to places like NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/), (Florida Space Center) and Wild Adventures in Georgia. We end our program with all our players playing in the famous 3 v 3 National qualifier tournament on Jekyll Island over the weekend of July 5th & 6th. All players who are successful in reaching the finals will be invited to Disney over the weekend of July 26th & 27th to take part in the 3 v 3 National Championships.

Players will pay an additional fee for Disney which will cover all tournament fees, plus food and lodgings. We are sure you will find our Italian Soccer School Program again very exciting just has much as last year. Please reserve your place on this unique program as soon as you can. We have secured only a certain amount of hotel rooms for the program and hope to reach capacity early in 2008.

All details regarding booking your place can be found on our website www.soccerkix.com.

About Scuola Calcio
Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School offers programs such as:

All-Year Soccer Boarding School, Three weeks Soccer Camps in USA and Italy, Soccer Coaching Symposium, International Soccer Team Tour Travel, Monthly Professional Soccer Training, and much more are all offered to serious soccer players and coaches. The Italian Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) has consolidated the experience developed from its technical staff and the experience acquired within the last few years from Ascoli Soccer Academy, A.C. Perugia Soccer School and A.C. Parma Soccer School program’s technical staff. The Italian Scuola Calcio has built a network of more then 100 affiliated soccer schools, some of which in Italy and other abroad (North America) and other foreign countries such as Ghana and Brazil, and an organization of 80 professional scouts-observers, 20 regional coordinators and 5 International coordinators.

Italian Summer Soccer Camps 2008 Locations

Scuola Calcio - Italian Soccer School Announces 2008 Camp Locations.
The following are daily and residential soccer camps. Professional Italian soccer coaches will run all camps. Only Italian soccer development methodology will be used.

USA - Click here to go directly to the camp page!
Raleigh, NC July 7th - 11th, 2008
Jekyll Island, GA June 22nd - July 7th, 2008
Myrtle Beach, SC June 22nd - July 7th, 2008
Clearwater FL, July 14th - 18th, 2008
ITALY
Perugia, Italy - July 1st - 21st, 2007

About Scuola Calcio
Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School has a brand new approach to soccer training. The concept is simple: We bring top level Italian Soccer Coaches to your club. The Italian Coaches will work closely with your clubs players and coaches. This how easy it is! We travel to your location to conduct incredibly enjoyable and motivating camps and training sessions for your players right on your field. Your players get creative, age-tailored instruction, in fundamental skills as well as great tactical instruction. Players are assured to have a great time while improving their game. So, learn from the best, book your camp at your location today.
Camp locations are limited, email or call now 800-954-7086 to find out how you can bring Professional Italian Coaches to your Soccer Club

Maldini the Millennium Man

Paolo Maldini has been celebrating another historic milestone in his illustrious career.

The 39-year-old made his 1,000th appearance in professional football when he came on as a substitute for AC Milan against Parma on Saturday.

He said: "I would like to dedicate this achievement to my family, in particular my mother who has followed me all these years and has always backed me."

The veteran made his debut as a 16-year-old back in 1985 and in that time has amassed 126 caps for Italy as well as winning seven Italian league titles.

Ever the consummate professional, the defender was more disappointed with the Rossoneri's draw at Parma than celebrating his own achievements.

He added: "I've played my 1,000th match, it is a number that remains impressive, it is only a shame that we haven't won the three points but there are always highs and lows."

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's side have now drawn their last two Serie A games and remain just outside the final Champions League spot in fifth place.

This article was featured on SereA.tv. Click here to go directly to the site.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Ronaldo Backed to Return

Ronaldo has flown to Paris for an operation that will determine when the striker will be able to resume his career.

The striker ruptured a tendon in his left knee in the Serie A fixture with Livorno and if the surgery goes to plan the Brazilian then faces up to nine months on the sidelines.

However, Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi has refused to call time on the star and said: "At 31-years-old he is still young and I think that he can return in a number of months to being the champion of old.

"I spoke to him on the telephone and I told him to believe in himself as he has such a great physical capability."

The former World Player of the Title arrived in the French capital at 9am local time and club doctor Jean Pierre Meeserman revealed that Gerard Saillant, the professor who oversaw the same procedure on the player back in 2000, will once again supervise.

He said: "It was Ronaldo himself who asked to be operated on in Paris by the team that put his right knee straight eight years ago."
This article was featured on SerieA.tv. To visit SerieA.tv click here!

FIFA World Cup Logo Designs

The sport of football (or soccer as it's known in the US and Australia) holds a World Cup every four years.

Sadly, my own national team, Northern Ireland, hasn't reached the World Cup Finals since 1982, and despite the recent goal-scoring feats of David Healy, we don't look like doing so anytime soon.

Wiping my tears aside, here I present the first in a series of articles that feature sporting logos, this time showcasing World Cup logo designs from Brazil in 1950 to South Africa in 2010. I've added a little World Cup trivia for the football buffs among you, and mention my favourite / least favourite at the bottom.

The 1950 World Cup was the first to include British participants. British teams withdrew from FIFA in 1920, partly out of unwillingness to play against the countries they had been at war with, and partly as a protest against a foreign influence on football.

FINAL SCORE:
Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (there was no actual final this year, and the tournament was decided by a round-robin between four teams, with this match considered the decisive result to crown Uruguay world champions)

The World Cup was first televised in 1954 and is now the most widely-viewed and followed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games. The cumulative audience of the 2006 World Cup (including all of the matches) is estimated to be 26.29 billion. 715.1 million individuals watched the final match of this tournament (a ninth of the entire population of the planet).

FINAL SCORE: West Germany 3-2 Hungary

With its third title (and three second place finishes) West Germany became the most successful World Cup nation for four years, until Brazil won their fourth title in 1994. West German team manager Franz Beckenbauer became the second footballer, after Mário Zagallo of Brazil, to win the World Cup as a player (in 1974) and as team manager. In doing so, Beckenbauer also became the first captain of a winning team to later manage a winning squad. Italy's Salvatore Schillaci won both the Golden Boot as the tournament's top goalscorer, with six goals, and the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

FINAL SCORE: West Germany 1-0 Argentina

The average stadium attendance for the tournament was 69,000 while the total attendance was 3.6 million. The 1994 World Cup holds the record for the highest attendance in World Cup history. It was also the highest-attended single sport sporting event in United States history.

FINAL SCORE: Brazil 0-0 Italy (Brazil win 3-2 on penalties)


This article featured on Logo Design Love and written by David Airey. To read more click here!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Formation of the Goalkeeper - Development Years (Part 2 of 4)

The following article was featured in the Scuola Calcio Magazine. Was written by Marco Stoini, Director of Coaching for San Luigi Calcio Trieste and Techncial Director of the Ascoli Soccer Academy from the Italian Professional Soccer League and translated by Antonio Saviano.

It is been said that the role of the goalkeeper is a single role, but as we know it is always a child that is in the goal and that will become a man through the frequent goalkeepers development stages. The program of the goalkeeper’s technical work can be divided in two great age groups:

1. From 6-12 years old
2. From 12 years old up

From 6 to 12 Years Old

In reality the very young goalkeeper is not a complete goalkeeper yet. The child playing in the goal does not have the mental and physical structure characteristics in order to be a goalkeeper as an adult would. We are dealing with a child that must be developed and we must stabilize his motor and coordinative abilities, which in many cases are harder for a goalkeeper than a field player. Example of some coordinative abilities:

- Trajectories to save
- Agility
- Relation – ball – ground
- Relation – body - ground
- Relation – eyes – hands
- Relation – eyes – hands – body
- Etc.

Furthermore the physical structure can often prevent the correct execution of many technical fundamentals (sometimes it can also be impossible): for example, the simple size of the hands will not allow easy stops, it will not allow an easy re-start play and so forth.

With these premises it is logical that under the 12 years of age (and in particular until 10 years old) the goalkeeper follows a program integrated with the team, therefore the program should have a general broad activity necessary to all the players on the team and that has objectives to reach based on the age we are working with.

Perform normal practices that all teammates benefit, one of them should be using the feet, which in part is very important under most useful ways. However, at least two times per week the activity should be provided, in specific part, to the particular of the goalkeeper and divided in groups of at least 3-4 goalkeepers and for a duration of approximately 90 minutes. As for all the roles of the soccer players as well as for the goalkeepers the techniques must be placed in first place when training. When speaking about goalkeepers, especially "strong ones” we often refer to goalkeepers with solid technical bases developed from a younger age, and that are like a strong foundation for the rest of their career.

The young goalkeepers psychological side is also very important. Much attention goes to those activities that should not exceed the actual abilities of the student, in order not to create failure feelings, having the young goalkeepers overcome fears that begin with the contact body-ground and development of body movement.
To free their strength is a physiological necessity of the children, but to let them have fun and satisfaction, but also have a feeling of authority and prestige, it is a primary task of a good instructor.

The young goalkeepers see and admire some champions on TV who rise to be their idol, they may have and wear their jerseys, may be their caps or gloves, but for sure will not be able to copy the technical movements, because their mental and learning abilities will prevent them from making does decisions. The instructor should remember this important information and convey to the young goalkeepers in a simple way.

From 12 Years Old and Up

At this age the young goalkeepers begin to assume the abilities of the "true goalkeeper". Now the techniques can and must be learned and without any limitations, they can and they must be repeated to the intend to create the complete necessary development that will stabilize the specific abilities. Now, the mental and the tactical aspect of the development can also be trained:

- Concentration
- Subsequent choices – understanding the game

At this stage, the athlete training will be able to assume greater weight in the activity: for the role of the goalkeeper the strength is the base to support the major part of typical body movements (jumps, quick sprint, executions, etc), the agility, the flexibility and the acrobatic training are an integral part of the development.
The aerobic component should cover the importance of general conditions.

Regarding Strength:

- High expressions: (fast – maximum resistant)
- Under expressions: (flexible volatile - reflected flexible volatile - resistance to the maximum strength - resistance to the instantaneous strength)
- Types of reduction: (concentric - eccentric - isometric – ply-metric)

All of the above has to be taken into consideration with a specific development, but at the same time we should be careful to the structure of a body that is still unbalanced and in a developing stage. In fact the speed or the rapidity is influenced from the strength level of the goalkeeper and are naturally unavoidable qualities. In the training the complete development aspect of the goalkeeper can not be neglected: it is true that the standardized repetitions are important for the reflex, but is also true that if we work in different situations, it will be possible for the athlete to decompose the technical body movements and to use only those parts that time to time will be necessary for that specific need.
I would like to point out that with two-three weekly training sessions of approximately 80 minutes each, we should attain good results.

With the goalkeeper who by now, at this age has exceeded the evolutionary phase, it is moreover fundamental to work on the specific errors. The instructor must maintain a direct contact with his own goalkeeper students. Because it is important to have a direct contact, it is better not to have many goalkeepers for training. But the instructor must also be careful, along with the head-coach, not to isolate the group of goalkeepers from the team, something that happens more then we think.

This article was featured in the Scuola Calcio Magazine.


Scuola Calcio Coaching Magazine is aimed and dedicated to providing first class soccer information for instructors at all levels throughout the North America and the World.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Role of the Goalkeeper (Part 1 of 4)

The following article (Part 1 of 4) was featured in the Scuola Calcio Magazine. Was written by Marco Stoini, Director of Coaching for San Luigi Calcio Trieste and Technical Director for Ascoli Soccer Academy.

While it is right to speak about field players attaining general understanding of and tactical insight into the game, it is important to talk about a different type of understanding for the role of the goalkeeper.

The role of the goalkeeper is specific and unusual and needs to be addressed in a specific way. Generally speaking, it is true that the goalkeeper must be a complete soccer player, (especially in today’s game, much more than in the past, because of the new rules of the game), but it is also true that the techniques and the typical actions of the goalkeepers are very different from the other roles/positions of soccer players and we cannot expect to simply develop a goalkeeper by just shooting in the goal.

The Goalkeeper could be defined a "super-soccer player": all technical skills must fully be developed.


For example:
- If a goalkeeper receives a pass back from a teammate and he does not manage the ball well with his feet he could loose trust from his teammates;
- If he lacks tactical understanding of the game (i.e.: offside) the entire strategy of the team could fail;
- If the physical size and physical qualities (strength and quickness) are not above average then we could find ourselves simply with an incomplete goalkeeper;
- If the mental capacities, psychological and personality capacities are not strong, then we could have inconstancy.

Some mistakes may be overlooked for field players but can not be the same for goalkeepers!

The goalkeeper does not carry the number 1 on the back of his jersey for no reasons, the number 1 must be managed and carried with absolute confidence.

For more information click here! - Scuola Calcio Coaching Magazine is aimed and dedicated to providing first class soccer information for instructors at all levels throughout the North America and the World.

Friday, February 1, 2008

What you don't know about Soccer?

This article featured on CrazyDetails Blogpost! - click here!

Soccer has become increasingly more popular in the United States in the last 30 years, with nearly 3 million children between the ages of 5-19 now playing in youth soccer leagues throughout the nation.

Soccer began in England in the mid-1800's, and was originally played by the higher, more aristocratic English classes in their boarding schools and private clubs. The ease and inexpense of the sport quickly moved it ahead as a sport for the masses however. Today soccer is ranked as one of the world's leading sports for commoners.

The London Football Association was founded and 1863 and is responsible for standardizing game rules throughout Europe. In less than 20 years, professional players and teams were hitting the field.

Soccer began to spread throughout Europe almost immediately, with Spain, Germany, Italy, and France all taking up the game b the early 20th century. As interest in the sport grew throughout the world, so did an interest in formal competition. In 1900, the first soccer game was played at the Olympics, with medals introduced just eight years later. Professional players, however, were exempt from competition in the Olympic Games for more than 80 years.

In 1904, The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), was formed, followed by the first World Cup international competition in 1930. A round-robin style tournament that pits teams from individual nations against each other every four years, the World Cup has grown into an international affair, with nearly 200 teams now seeking admittance. Only 24 are permitted to compete.

Although it took the United States years to enter the soccer arena on a widespread basis, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) was formed in 1913. Unfortunately, most Americans preferred watching (and playing) a different form of the sport -- American football -- until a Brazilian named Pele, (considered to the greatest soccer player of all time), joined the N.Y. Cosmos team in 1975. With such an amazing player to watch in America, popularity of the sport grew throughout the states, until his retirement in 1977, when soccer once again took a backseat to football. Following Pele's retirement, the North American Soccer League slowly lost fan support, finally dissolving in 1985.

It wasn't until the men's World Cup competition, was held in the United States in 1994, that soccer interest was renewed among American youth. The Major League Soccer (MLS), was founded in 1993, and began its first season in 1996 with 10 teams and 32 regular season games. More than 3 million fans watched the playoffs that year. By 1991, women were finally allowed to play on a professional level, when the Women's World Cup competition was introduced for the first time.

The interest in youth soccer remains strong throughout the United States today. Sports teams and leagues are now available in nearly every American community. From pee-wee players who aren't even in school yet, to semi-professional high school teams, players of all interest and abilities are now hitting the soccer field for both spring and fall competition. The U.S. Youth Soccer, a division of the USSF, now includes nearly 3 million official players.


#1. Soccer is called football in other countries besides America.
#2. Major League Soccer set all-time attendance record for a United States-based professional soccer league game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on June 16, 1996. That day, 92,216 fans watched the Los Angeles Galaxy win a 3-2 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
#3. His real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, But the soccer world knows him as Pele. A native of Brazil, Pele retired as a player in 1977 but is still considered by many the greatest soccer player who ever lived. Since his retirement, he has been a worldwide ambassador for his sport. Wherever soccer is played, the name of Pele will always be magic.
#4. A standard soccer ball is made of leather and is between 27 and 28 inches in circumference. Unlike basketball, young players can use a smaller ball. For kids 8 years old or younger, a ball of 23 to 24 inches in circumference is recommended. For kids 9 to 12, a ball of 25 to 26 inches is often used.