There are several things that you need to be aware of when it comes to becoming a soccer player.
These include, networking, high performance academies, and college.
College
There are a few ways to go about becoming a professional soccer player.
One is the conventional path by joining a club.
Another is by going to a college.
While the two options may differ in terms of the skills required, the chances of success are much higher in the latter.
The most important thing to know about college soccer is that there are scholarships for you to take advantage of.
These scholarships vary in size depending on the level you're at, but the rules are essentially the same.
One of the more interesting aspects of soccer in college is that many coaches have connections to other programs.
This can help you get your foot in the door, especially if you can show them that you have what it takes to contribute to their team.
A good way to get your feet wet in soccer in college is by playing in a club.
Some clubs offer training programs and a chance to practice with other professionals.
They may even provide you with a stipend or payment for your services.
As you get older, you can try your hand at coaching.
Many pro soccer players have been known to return to school after they retire to coach.
When it comes to the best route to become a professional soccer player, there are many factors to consider.
You'll need to train your body, train your mind, and most importantly, have the mental fortitude to dedicate yourself to a sport that demands a lot of your time.
Ultimately, whether you decide to play at a college or academy, you should make it your top priority to gain exposure to the game.
This could mean joining a local club, joining a national or international team, or even heading abroad.
By doing so, you'll give yourself a better chance of making it to the highest echelons of the game.
If you're considering joining a college program, ask your prospective coach about the most important things to know.
In particular, do they have a winning attitude? Is the school a good fit for you socially?
High performance academies
High performance academies for soccer players combine high-quality education and training with a real professional soccer program.
This enables students to gain a degree while preparing for the world of work and for a career in sports.
Academies offer programs that range from 6 months to a full year.
Students are taught a combination of academics, physical conditioning, and psychological preparation.
They train like professionals and play matches on weekends.
Using a combination of dribbling, touch passing, long passing, and defensive pressing, they prepare themselves for success on the soccer field.
These academies accept only high-energy, motivated students.
Players are also expected to have a strong work ethic and character.
Some academies even work with prestigious secondary schools.
Throughout the program, student-athletes develop their skills in soccer as well as other athletic disciplines.
They are coached by experts in sports training.
Their coaches can organize trials with professional clubs, and help them kick off a professional career.
The academy also provides guidance with academic work and competitive thinking.
Players receive weekly feedback discussions and individual tutoring.
Students also attend workshops on injury prevention and nutrition.
High performance academies also provide students with personalized meals.
Many academies have kitchens and cooking facilities on campus, while others offer a buffet style service.
There may be a swimming pool and basketball courts, too.
In addition, academies provide medical services.
Their staff includes general practitioners and specialists.
Medical services can be expensive, especially in some countries, so it's important to have insurance.
If a student is injured, his parents are informed of treatment.
Students also have access to study rooms, game rooms, and lounges.
Depending on the academy, they may be required to clean their own room.
To ensure that students have enough energy, nutritionists plan the food they eat.
Some academies even have their own chef working for them.
Providing proper nutrition is important for soccer players.
Choosing an academy is a big decision, and there are many factors to consider.
Students should investigate the facilities before making a final decision.
A full-year tuition costs from around 25,000EUR.
A shorter program may cost more, depending on the school and the player's extra needs.
Youth development systems
A variety of research has been undertaken on the development of youth soccer players.
The focus has been largely on large soccer nations.
However, there are many smaller countries with lesser resources.
Identifying talent is not an easy task.
Developing an athlete requires a considerable financial investment.
In addition, there are numerous factors that can influence player development.
For example, socio-economic status, the place of birth and the age of a child are a few.
Moreover, a team of experts can help nurture a young talent.
Talent identification and development systems (TIDS) are a growing global industry.
They have garnered considerable attention, albeit with mixed results.
Recently, speculation has questioned the underlying health and usefulness of TIDS.
Nevertheless, there are also positive aspects.
For example, a TIDS can improve a player's physical, educational and psycho-social development.
It can also promote an athlete-centered culture and emphasize quality facilities.
One of the most common TIDS is the pyramidal structure.
In this model, each level is designed to maximize the growth of a player.
Each level of the pyramid contains more activities to stimulate the development of each aspect of a player.
Another TIDS is the LTPD, or Learning to Play Development.
LTPD is a program that develops the entire player, from mental to physical.
Unlike traditional team sports programs, LTPD focuses on developing a whole child, not just a specific skill or skill set.
Using a systematic observation methodology, the developmental activities of soccer players were assessed.
Although the research did not specifically address the psychological or social impact of TIDS, it was found that TIDS had an influence on the players' performance.
Using open-ended questions, the researchers identified some of the key factors that affect the development of a player.
Some of these included the number of coaches and facilities available, the amount of coach-led practice, and the availability of financial resources for the organization.
Overall, the LTPD is a relatively new model, but it has been shown to be effective.
By emphasizing the individual, a club can develop a technically proficient player.
The LTPD is designed to provide a fun and safe environment for children to enjoy.
Young kids can learn basic foot skills, and older children can experience the sport for the first time.
Networking
Networking is an important part of becoming a soccer player.
You can use your own personal connections and experience to get a job, get more knowledge, or simply make a few new friends.
However, you need to be sure that you are networking for the right reasons.
If you are only networking for yourself, you will not go very far.
This is especially true when you're trying to get into the professional soccer world.
For example, you may be a European soccer enthusiast who wants to attend a high performance academy in the United States.
You will then be able to get your education at a university, enter the workforce, and become a professional soccer player.
But how do you get there?
The first step is to network with people you already know.
It can be easy to fall into the habit of networking with people you don't know.
One way to do this is by attending pop Warner football games or soccer matches.
Attending these events is an excellent way to meet others with similar interests.
After attending these types of events, you should ask questions about the game.
These can range from the history of the formations to practice techniques.
Asking these questions will help you broaden your view and see things from a variety of perspectives.
You can also try to find ways to network with coaches.
Some are more likely to follow through with their networking plans than others.
Try to find out about their schedule and reach out to them to create a plan.
Soccer is an extremely popular sport.
You can find rabid fans, parents, former youth players, and more.
And as a result, the chances of running into someone you know are relatively high.
Networking is an important part of becoming eminent in this field.
With the help of an AthLife Advisor, you can develop a networking plan that will work for you.
As long as you remember that the relationships are intended to be mutual, you will be on your way to success.
Just make sure that you are not only asking for a favor, but that you show a genuine interest in the work of the other person.