The Short Cut of Soccer

What's the best way to get better at soccer? Is there a short cut to success?

Everyone says there are NO SHORT CUTS in life, but there's an exception to every rule, right?

It's true that the best way to get better is to spend time with the soccer ball on your own, improve your touch and skills with the ball by playing soccer day in and day out in pick up games, juggling and knocking the ball against a wall. This is crucial an attribute of every great player: they love to play and spend time with the ball on their own so they can get better.

However, there is actually one short cut to getting better at soccer: play with older and, most importantly, play with players who are better than you are.

The better than you are part is important. Since, of course, some older players might not be as good as you are.

For the most part though, older players have a certain amount of wisdom from all their years of playing the game that comes through in their play and young players might not grasp this right away - but you'll soon pickup those tricks and moves the more you play with these better and, most likely, older players.

Soccer Knowledge

If you play with players who are better than you are you can suck up all the knowledge they’ve gained over the years, from feints, to runs, to the way they cut or the way they shield the soccer ball. Little aspects of the game that you might not grasp right away but will filter into your own game the more you play with them.

Playing soccer with players who are better than you are is sort of like compound interest, but in this case it's not money but your skills that are growing. Essentially, your skills will start to compound and grow exponentially over time. Through playing with better players your skills will improve at a faster rate and build up on top of one another - you pick up one skill that results in your ability to do another skill.

It's like with money in the bank, as you gain more money over time via interest, you make more and more money. In this case though, your soccer skills just get better and better.

Branch Out

Along this line of thinking, why not play with players who play differently than you do? Play with players of different cultural backgrounds, from Mexican players to Italians to Germans to Russians. I know plenty of Californians who group up playing with Mexicans and stole a lot of their moves and incorporated them into their own game.

Landon Donovan for one has said that's where he learned to play the game early on and also picked up Spanish. Same goes for Clint Dempsey over in Texas, where he learned the game playing in Mexican leagues, which were more intense and competitive than the American youth soccer leagues.

Branching out can also mean playing with players who have had different coaches and or play different styles. The idea is to not be afraid to branch out and learn from other players and coaches. There might be a rival team in your city, it can't hurt to play with some of these players in the off-season. Don't close yourself off to other teams or styles of play.

Speed of Play

One thing you'll also find when playing with players who are better than you are and more experienced, is the speed of the game picks up. They play faster and simpler which will force you to do the same.

Interestingly though, at the same time, the game sort of slows down. The game becomes more like chess. Methodical. Where the ball moves at a faster clip but players around you aren’t running around wildly like chickens with their heads cut off.

Instead, runs are timed and gauged at just the right moment, players check back to receive the ball, lay it off, and then make another run. Players make hard charging runs into the box. The game becomes one and two touch, with all the dribbling taking place at those ideal moments where a player is one versus one and there’s space behind the defender to attack. There's a purpose behind all the runs and passes.

Communication

Next, and one of the the biggest differences in lower level soccer leagues from more experienced elite level leagues or players, is the way top level players communicate.

You'll notice that players demand and want the ball when playing at a higher level than you're used to. Players shout turn, man on, hold it, take them on, you've got time. Players are more vocal and demand the best from their teammates.

Overall, there’s just much more vocal direction going with experienced players. But don’t let this intimidate you, take it in stride as players around you trying to help you and learn to give direction when you make a pass yourself.

One thing you'll also learn quickly: if you want the ball you need to demand it.

The Mentor

But again, the key is to play with soccer players who are better than you and to find a mentor - that's the short cut to getting better.

Model your game after someone whose style of play and skills you look up to. At Barcelona, Guardiola, when he was playing, was a mentor to Xavi. When Ronaldinho played at Barcelona, he was a mentor to the a young Lionel Messi. Messi had this to say about Ronaldinho a few years ago:

"Ronaldinho is a phenomenon. He gives me a lot of advice and praises me permanently. We have fun in every training session. He says I'm his little brother."

But it's good that Messi didn't pick up some of Ronaldinho's traits, too. As in the partying lifestyle of the Brazilian, the samba, the all night discos, and the bongo drums - going out every night. Well, Messi could have picked up all the the bongo drums but not the partying. Yes, mentors can have some bad habits that you shouldn't pick up.

If you can't find a real life mentor, maybe you can mimic the playing style of a player on TV. Watch all their games and search for information online for how they reached their goals in the game. What did they do to become a professional soccer? How did they achieve their dream? How often did they practice on their own?

17 Basic Rules of Soccer

17 Basic Rules of Soccer
Soccer has 17 laws or “rules” by which the game is played. Most of these laws are
easy to understand. The laws are designed to make soccer fun, safe, and fair for all
participants.
The object of soccer is for a player to get the ball into the other team’s goal by using
any part of the body except the player’s hands and arms. The goalie is the only
player allowed to touch the ball with the hands and arms and then only while he is
located in his own penalty area.
A referee is in charge of the soccer game. A referee’s main objective should be the
safety of the players. It is the referee’s responsibility to ensure that the game
remains fun for everyone. This includes players, spectators and the officials.
You will undoubtedly question some of the officiating calls as you watch a soccer
game. This is only natural. To be fair to the referee you should read and understand
the 17 laws so that you have a good understanding of the rules of soccer. Try to
keep in mind that everyone who is watching a game has a different perspective.
Spectators will be most likely, rooting for one team or the other. This will influence
how they view the game. The spectators will more than likely have a family member
playing in youth soccer. Also keep in mind that everyone will be viewing the game
from a different angle. Try to give the referee the benefit of a doubt. The referees
are much closer to the play than spectators. They should be trained in the laws and
impartial to the game’s outcome.
The 17 laws described below are the basic laws of soccer accepted throughout the
world. These laws are usually altered slightly so the game is more fun and beneficial
for young players. Each league should have a specific set of rules it will follow. These
rules should be distributed to the coach. Look over the rules of your league to make
sure you fully understand them.

LAW 1 - The Field of Play
This is the basic layout of a soccer field. The size of the field will vary from league to
league, usually depending on the age of the players.

LAW 2 - The Ball
A regulation size soccer ball is a No. 5 ball. Youth leagues may use different size
balls, such as a No. 3 ball or a No. 4 ball, depending on the age of the children.

LAW 3 - Number of Players
There must be no more that 11 players on the field of play for either team. A
minimum number of players is usually 7. Some youth leagues encourage games with
less than 11 players to help in the development of young players. One player from
each team must be designated as a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper must wear a
different color shirt from his teammates so that everyone can easily distinguish the
goalie. The goalie can only use his hands inside the penalty area.

LAW 4 - Player’s Equipment
Players must wear the same colored jersey or shirts. All youth programs require shin
guards to be worn by all players. If your players will be wearing cleats, make sure
they are soccer cleats. A soccer cleat does not have a cleat at the front edge of the
shoe like a baseball cleat. This is for safety.

LAW 5 - Referees
The referee enforces the 17 laws. There is one difference between soccer and most
other sports played in America. In soccer, the referee may let play continue and not
call a foul if he or she thinks that stopping play would give an advantage to the team
committing the foul. This is called the “advantage clause”. The referee should say
“play on” when this occurs.

LAW 6 - Linesmen and Lineswomen
Two linesmen may assist the referee in controlling the game. The linesmen’s duty is
to signal to the referee when the ball is out; to indicate a corner kick, a goal kick or
to designate which team is entitled to the throw-in. The linesmen may also signal
offsides, fouls or misconduct if a goal has been scored or when substitution is
desired.
The referee on the field makes the official and final decisions. The linesmen are there
to assist the referee; the referee may or may not act upon their advice.
Coaches should not expect to have linesmen at their youth soccer games.
Sometimes you are lucky to have a single referee. I have coached games where the
opposing coach and I had to take turns being the referee, because an official never
showed up.

LAW 7 - Duration of the Game
The duration of the game will depend on the age of the children. Older children will
more than likely have two halves. Younger children often times play four quarters.
Your league will determine whether quarters or halves are played and how long each
will be.

LAW 8 - Start of Play: Kick Off and Drop Ball
A kick off is taken to start a game, to restart play after a goal has been scored or to
start the second half or a new quarter. At kickoff all players must be on their team’s
half of the field. The ball is placed on the center spot in the middle of the center
circle. The ball must be kicked forward at least one full rotation into the opponents’
“half of the field.” The team that kicks off to begin the game is determined by a coin
toss between the captains and the referee. After a goal the team that was just
scored upon starts the kick off. For new quarters and halves, the team, which did not
kick off the previous quarter or half will kick off. A goal cannot be scored by kicking
the ball directly into the goal on a kick off.
A drop ball is played when the referee stops play for a reason other than a rule
infraction. An injury is a good example. The referee restarts play by dropping the ball
between two players, one from each team. A dropped ball may not be played until it
touches the ground. The first player playing the ball is allowed to play the ball again
without it having to be touched by another player. This means the player may
dribble, pass or shoot the ball after touching it.

LAW 9 - Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play whenever it is completely outside the outside edge of the
touchline or the goal line either on the ground or in the air. Also it is out of play
when the referee stops play for any reason.
The ball is in play if any part of the ball is inside or touching the touchline or goal
line. The ball is considered in play after bouncing off of a goal post, cross bar, corner
flag, linesmen or referee if the ball remains on the playing field.

LAW 10 - Method of Scoring
A goal can only be scored if the entire ball goes completely over the outside edge of
the goal line, under the cross bar and between the goal posts while it is in play. Any
player may score goals, including the goalie. Except when taking a free kick, throw-
in, goal kick, penalty kick or kick off, a ball played by a player directly into his own
goal is a score for the opposing team.

LAW 11 - Offside
An offensive player must have two opponents including the goalkeeper between
himself and the goal line at the moment the ball is passed to him. Offside is
determined when the ball is passed to the player, not when the player receives the
ball.
Offside position and offside are not the same. It is not against the rules to be in an
offside position. It is against the rules to be offside. Here is a definition of these two
concepts.
Offside Position - A player is in the offside position if he is:
• ahead of the ball and
• in the opponents half of the field and
• there are fewer than two opponents even with or ahead of him.
Offside -A player who is in the offside position becomes offside when
• he participates in the play or
• he interferes with an opponent or
• otherwise tries to take advantage of being in the offside position.
Exceptions - A player in an offside position is not to be called offside if he receives
the ball directly from:
• a throw-in or
• a corner kick or
• a goal kick.

LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct
There are two kinds of fouls in soccer:
• Penal or Major Fouls.
• Non-Penal or Minor Fouls.
There are nine penal or major fouls.
These fouls must be committed intentionally and may result in a Red Card”. The
fouls are as follows:
• Kicking a player.
• Jumping up at a player.
• Charging a player in a rough way.
• Charging a player from behind.
• Tripping a player.
• Hitting or spitting at a player.
• Pushing a player.
• Holding a player.
• Handling the ball. (Except by a goalkeeper). This foul is called if the player is
trying to control the ball with his hands or arms.
If one of these nine penalty fouls is committed and the referee blows his whistle and
calls a foul, the opposing team gets a direct free kick. A “direct” kick means the
opponent can try to score a goal directly from the kick. If the player committing the
major foul receives a “red card” from the referee, he must leave the game, and is
not allowed to return.
There are five non-penal or minor fouls.
If a player commits a minor foul he may receive a “Yellow Card” from the referee.
The five minor fouls are:
• Dangerous play. Examples of a dangerous play are: high kicking near another
player’s head, or trying to play a ball held by a goalie.
• Fair charging, but with the ball out of playing distance.
• Illegal obstruction. When a player intentionally takes a position between the ball
and an opponent, when not within playing distance of the ball.
• Charging the goalkeeper in the goal area.
• Goalkeeper Infringements.
• Goalkeeper taking more than four steps while controlling the ball.
• Goalkeeper playing the ball with his hands when the ball is kicked by a teammate.
• Intentionally wasting time.
(These three Goalkeeper Infringement fouls will not usually be called in young
children’s games.) When the referee stops play by blowing his whistle for a minor
foul, the opposing team is
awarded an indirect free kick. A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free
kick. The ball must be played by a player other than the one taking the indirect kick,
before a legal goal can be scored.
Misconduct - There are two kinds of misconduct:
• When an action results in a caution or a “yellow card” from the referee. A referee
may warn a player to improve his conduct before a caution is issued.
• When an action results in a player being ejected from the game, a “red card”. The
referee has the authority to “red card” coaches or spectators because of misconduct
or interference of the game.

LAW 13 - Free Kick
There are two type of free kicks: Direct and Indirect. The types of fouls that result in

a free kick are described in LAW 12.
Direct Free Kick:
On a direct free kick, the ball may be kicked directly into the goal for a score by the
player taking the kick. The direct free kick is taken at the spot where the foul
occurred, unless it is within the penalty box. Then a penalty kick is awarded.
Indirect Free Kick:
A goal can be scored only if the ball is touched by one or more players from either
team, after it is kicked into play and before it enters the goal.
There are a few rules that are followed on a free kick, they are:
• The referee will signal an indirect free kick by putting one arm straight up into the
air.
• The ball must be stationary when it is kicked.
• The team taking a free kick is entitled to have all opponents at least 10 yards
from the ball when the free kick is taken.
• The kicker may kick the ball if the opponents are closer than 10 yards if he
wishes.
• The kicker may ask the referee to move the opponents back 10 yards from the
ball. The kicker must then wait until the referee blows his whistle before taking
the free kick.
• If a free kick is taken within 10 yards of the opponent’s goal, opposing players
may stand on their own goal line between the goal posts.
• A free kick by the defending team within its own goal area may be taken from any
point within the half of the goal area in which the free kick was awarded.
• An indirect free kick by the attacking team within the defending teams goal area
is taken on the six yard line at the point nearest to where the foul was
committed. (The six yard line is the line that outlines the goal area).
• The player taking the free kick must not play the ball again after it has been
kicked into play until another player, from either team, has touched the ball.

LAW 14 - Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded when a defender commits a penal or major foul with the
penalty area. The team that was fouled is given a penalty kick from the penalty
mark. All players except the goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and
penalty arc until the kick is taken. The defending goalkeeper must stand on the goal
line, between the goal posts and is not allowed to move until the ball is kicked. If the
goalkeeper moves and the penalty shot does not score, then the penalty kick is
retaken. Encroachment is when a player enters the penalty area or penalty arc
before the ball is kicked. If a defender encroaches, then a scoring shot counts, a
non-scoring shot is retaken. If an attacker encroaches, a scoring shot is disallowed
and the kick is retaken. If the shot was non-scoring then the defending team gets an
indirect free kick or a goal kick depending on where the ball is when the referee
blows his whistle. If both teams encroach, the penalty kick is retaken whether it was
a scoring shot or not. The penalty kick must go forward and cannot be played again
by the kicker until another player has touched the ball.

LAW 15 - Throw-in
A throw-in is taken to restart a game after the ball goes out of play over the
touchline. A throw- in is taken by a player from the team, which did not touch the
ball last. The player throwing the ball in must have both feet on the ground and both
hands on the ball over his head. Both feet must remain on or behind the touchline.
The thrower must throw the ball with equal strength from both hands from the back
of the head and over the top of the head. The thrower must not play the ball again
until another player from either team has touched the ball. A player cannot score a
goal directly from a throw-in. A player in the offside position receiving the ball
directly from a throw-in is not offside.

LAW 16- Goal Kick
The box located directly in front of the goal is ca11e1 the goal area. When the
attacking teari last touches the ball before it crosses over the goal line, the defending
team is awarded a goal kick. A goal kick is taken by any player on the defending
team. The ball must be played from within the half of the goal area on the side of the
field where the ball went out of play. The opposing team must remain outside of the
penalty area until the ball completely leaves the goal area. The goal kick is played
again if the ball does not leave the penalty area, if the ball crosses the goal line
before leaving the penalty area or if the ball is played again by a player from either
team before it leaves the penalty area. The kicker may not play the ball again until
another player from either team touches the ball. A player in the offside position
receiving the ball directly from a goal kick is not offside.

LAW 17- Corner Kick
If a ball goes over the goal line and is last touched by the defending team, the
attacking teams is awarded a corner kick. The corner kick is taken from within the
corner arc on the side of the field where the ball went out of play. The corner kick
may be taken by any player on the attacking team. The kicker is allowed to score a
goal by kicking the ball directly into the goal. The opponents must be 10 yards back
from the ball on a corner kick. The kicker is not allowed to play the ball again until a
player from either team touches the ball. A player in the offside position receiving

About 80% of world footballs are produced in Pakistan

About 80% of world footballs are produced in Pakistan. Sialkot a city situated in the north-east of the Punjab province is responsible for most of the football production. It is also famous for producing other sports goods like hockey sticks,cricket bats,tennis racquet etc.

According to a legend, the sport goods industry got its start in Sialkot when a British man broke his tennis racquet and, since an immediate replacement was not possible, he asked a local craftsman to repair it. The man did a perfect job and the sports goods manufacturing industry took root in Sialkot. The recorded history of the industry goes back to 1895 when the city started becoming famous for its tennis racquets.

upcoming range for 2013

Our complete 2013 range range unveiled at the trade show:

We carry soccer balls, soccer uniforms, volleyballs, footballs, basketballs and other soccer equipment such as goalkeeper gloves and shin guards.

 We take pride in the manufacturing of our sports equipment and see to it that each unit we deliver to our customers is a hand-crafted masterpiece. Logos or other information can be printed on soccer balls, mini soccer balls, volleyballs and other equipment. This can serve as a great promotion and advertising tool. Buying from our site is safe and secure; any information we receive from you or your organization is never shared with any other source.

See what we can do for you, the possibilities are endless. Here are some of the new soccer ball designs for our upcoming range for 2013.

Construction of a Soccer Ball

soccer manufacturing process
Wondering how footballs are manufactured!
A standard soccer ball according to 'FIFA' Standards consist of 32 panels, in size 5, 4,3 .First of all Synthetic leather sheet are laminated with cotton and polyester layers to reinforce the ball's strength, then sheets are cut into hexagonal and pentagonal shapes. Inside the ball a bladder is placed, the bladders are usually made of either latex or butyl. After cutting the panels , Silk screen printing is done on the pieces according to the design and requirements of the customers. Then the panels are Hand stitched with Pre Punches Stitch Holes together with a bladder inside the panels, this way 32 Panels are held by 720 stitches in a soccer ball.
Official weight 420~445 grams with ball pressure 0.8 bar
Circumference for size 5 is 68.5cm to 69.5cm
Rebound: 120~150cm at 20 C Temperature
 
inside story composition of soccer ball manufacturing

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Soccer ball Printing process with silk screen printing method

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Soccer balls Stitching Process

Pakistan's craftmen are world renowned for their quality hand stitched soccer balls.
22 Year Old Imtiaz work as Master stitcher, his job is to stitch sample soccer balls which are then sent to foreign buyers for order approval.

A- True Synthetic Leather B- Pre Pucnhes Stitch Holes C- Seamless Latex Blader D- Multi Layer Lamination

History Of Soccer

The game has been blessed with some phenomenal talents and it does many scant justice when it comes to choosing the 10 greatest soccer players of all time. But, for what it is worth, here is World Soccer’s best of the best.

1. Pele (1956-1977)

A World Cup winner in 1958, 1962, and 1970, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, to give him his full name, is generally regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time. Pele won multiple titles with Santos, with whom he played out the best years of his career, before joining the New York Cosmos for a brief spell. Scorer of 760 official goals, Pele was a superb striker and dribbler of the ball, but could also combine well with his teammates and feature prominently in the build up to goals.



3. Maradona (1976-1997)2. Lionel Messi
Jeff Zelevansky
It is not an exaggeration to say that The Atomic Flee is now challenging Pele for the crown of greatest ever soccer player and will surely surpass the Brazilian if the remainder of his career is as fruitful as the opening years. Messi joined Barcelona when he was just 13, scored on his debut at 17 and now wows the Camp Nou faithful on a regular basis with his dribbling, passing and goalscoring exploits. He broke Gerd Muller's record for most goals in a calendar year when he scored an incredible 91 in 2012.

Billy Stickland
Diego Armando Maradona is one of the greatest dribblers the game has ever seen. His 'Hand of God' goal against England at the 1986 World Cup and the stunning solo effort that followed sum up this flawed genius better than any words. Maradona did not always play by the rules, and confesses that his expulsion from the 1994 World Cup after testing positive for ephedrine is one of his saddest memories. But the Maradona that captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and helped unfashionable Napoli to Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 was irrepressible.


4. Johan Cruyff (1964-1984)
Evening Standard
The outspoken Dutchman excelled for Ajax and Barcelona in the 1960s and 1970s and is considered by many to be Europe’s best ever player. His name was synonymous with Rinus Michels’ "Total Football" movement whereby players interchanged positions. Cruyff was effective in both wide and central positions, and was famous for his ability to turn players. Winner of three Ballon D'Ors (European Player of the Year awards), Cruyff won eight Dutch titles and three European Cups with Ajax, and also made a controversial move to bitter rivals Feyenoord.


5. Franz Beckenbauer (1964-1984)

"Der Kaiser is the only man to captain and manage his side to World Cup victory. In the early 1970s, the German revolutionised the game with his switch from central midfield to an attacking sweeper role where he would dictate play from the back by dribbling the ball out of defense and joining in his team’s attacks. He enjoyed his best years with Bayern Munich, where he won five Bundesliga titles and three European Cups, but he also spent time with Pele at the New York Cosmos.


6. Michel Platini (1973-1987)
David Cannon
A star with Nancy, St-Etienne and Juventus, Platini was a European champion for club and country after winning the 1984 European Championship with France and the European Cup the following year with Juventus. One of the best passers in soccer history and an expert free-kick taker, the attacking midfielder scored nine goals in that 1984 triumph.

7. Alfredo Di Stéfano (1943-1966)

Di Stéfano's achievement of scoring in five consecutive European Cup finals is unlikely to ever be matched. Born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, but playing internationally for three different teams, Di Stéfano's career was nothing if not cosmopolitan. A player of exceptional fitness levels, the Saeta rubia (blond arrow) was instrumental in Real Madrid's dominance in the 1950s, although the history books could tell a very different story if he had joined Barcelona instead of the Merengues in 1943.

8. Ferenc Puskás (1944-1966)

One of the best strikers ever, Puskas averaged nearly a goal a game at club and international level. He was a prominent member of the great Hungary team of the 1950s, known as the Mighty Magyars. Puskas was top league scorer with Real Madrid on four occasions, and scored seven goals in two European Cup finals. He won five league titles with Budapest Honvéd before moving to Real in 1958 and winning another five. The inside-left also boasts three European Cups.


10. George Best (1963-1984)9. Eusébio (1958-1978)
Hulton Archive
"The Black Panther" is considered Portugal’s greatest ever soccer player. Scorer of nine goals at the 1966 World Cup finals, Eusébio possessed explosive pace and deceptive ability. The forward turned out for a host of teams, but his best years were spent with Benfica where he averaged more than a goal a game. Eusébio told World Soccermagazine in 2010 that he signs photographs of himself every night to give to children the following day.
Leonard Burt

Like Maradona, Best enjoyed the luxuries that his profession afforded him, and it was his alcohol addiction that contributed to his death in 2005. On the pitch he had a devastating combination of pace, skill and finishing that should have brought more than two league titles and one European Cup with Manchester United. Best played as a winger or attacking midfielder and had the ability to dribble past defenders as if they were not there. Like several other players on this list, Best also plied his trade in America in the 70s and 80s.