Improving at soccer comes down to touches on the ball, decision-making under pressure and the fitness to keep doing both for 90 minutes. Here is how to work on each. First touch A good first touch buys time. Practice receiving the ball with different surfaces (inside, outside, sole, thigh, chest) and directing it away from … Read more
The goalkeeper’s main job has not changed: keep the ball out of the net. But the role has expanded dramatically. Today’s goalkeepers are expected to start attacks, defend space behind a high line and organize the defense. Shot-stopping and positioning Good positioning makes saves look easy. Goalkeepers narrow the angle, stay set when the shot … Read more
Soccer has never been more popular or richer at the top. But the same forces that drive its growth create tensions that will shape its future. Financial inequality Revenue is concentrated in a few leagues and clubs, especially in Europe. The gap between the richest clubs and the rest affects competitive balance, and many lower-league … Read more
Soccer is played by hundreds of millions of people because it is simple: a ball and a space are enough. It also happens to be one of the most complete forms of exercise, combining running, sprinting, jumping and coordination with a strong social element. Physical benefits The WHO’s guidelines recommend at least 150 to 300 … Read more
For most of its history, soccer changed slowly. In the last 15 years, technology has transformed officiating, training and analysis, from the professional game down to amateur clubs with tracking apps. Officiating Connected balls Match balls with internal sensors, first used at a men’s World Cup in 2022, record the exact moment the ball is … Read more
Soccer involves sprinting, cutting, jumping and contact, so injuries are common at all levels. The good news is that several prevention measures are backed by solid research and are simple to apply. The most common injuries Structured warm-ups The FIFA 11+ program is a 20-minute warm-up combining running, strength, plyometric and balance exercises. Studies in … Read more
A soccer coach (or manager) shapes how a team plays, who plays, how it trains and how it feels. Talented squads underperform with the wrong coach, and modest squads often overachieve with the right one. A clear tactical identity The coach defines how the team plays with and without the ball: pressing high or defending … Read more
The offside rule is the law that newcomers find most confusing and the one most often debated by fans. It exists to prevent attackers from simply waiting next to the opponent’s goal, and it shapes the whole tactical structure of the game. What the rule says A player is in an offside position if any … Read more
The greatest-of-all-time debate never ends because there is no single measure of greatness. Comparing players across eras means weighing trophies, statistics, influence and style. Here are the criteria people use and the facts behind the main candidates. How to compare The main candidates Pelé (Brazil): won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), the only player … Read more
Women’s soccer has grown rapidly in the last decade, with professional leagues, record attendances and rising investment. Its future depends on turning that momentum into sustainable structures, from grassroots clubs to top leagues. Where the game stands The FIFA Women’s World Cup was first held in 1991 in China. The 2023 edition in Australia and … Read more
