Absolute Sport Socks Blog

Summit High First Game - click to view video.

Soccer is perhaps the most demanding of all sports. In the modern game (at any level) soccer training and conditioning is essential. Few sports are played on as large a playing field, lasting as long and without regular rest periods. Players cover 8-12km during a match, consisting of 24% walking, 36% jogging, 20% coursing, 11% sprinting, 7% moving backwards and 2% moving whilst in possession of the ball.

How important is the correct type of endurance training in soccer? The greater a player’s aerobic capacity, the more ground they cover during a typical game. Additionally, improved endurance also increases the number of sprints completed in a game.

What about other forms of conditioning?

Strength training now plays a major role in soccer. However, simply lifting weights with the traditional “3 sets of 10 repetitions” approach is not an efficient way to spend training time. Soccer requires a balance of explosive power and muscular endurance. Some players may benefit from increasing their lean mass but even they should focus on converting much of their strength into soccer-specific power. Strength training for soccer also helps to correct muscle imbalances. Soccer players in particualr are prone to developing overly strong quadriceps in relation to their hamstrings and a well-formed strength plan can address this and prevent future injury.

                                                                                                        As with everything in everyday life, parents play a critical role to ensure that they are creating a strong and positive support system for their children in all aspects of their lifes including sports.   Too often parents overstep the boundaries of this role and act in ways that their involvement becomes negative. We hear everyday about parents interfering with coaches, other players or other parents.  They make the headlines locally when fighting either physically or verbally happens.  This  interference by the parents can impact the parent-child relationship in ways that can affect a child for his entire life.   Parents find themselvesputting pressure on the child to work harder and spend more time practicing. The driving force behind this is quite often the considerable financial, emotional and time commitments that the parent has invested into the “career” of the youth athlete.  Parents who become overly involved and insert themselves in the coaching aspect of the sport end up undermining the coach’s authority which can put unnecessary pressure on the youth athlete.  Setting expectations too high where performance and ultimately winning puts too much pressure on a child.  When winning becomes the only factor for playing, this can have long term consequences especially if a parent gets angry or distant when a youth athlete loses.  Other parents live vicariously through a child’s sports.  This also can put undue pressure on a child.  Take the time to listen to your child about their aspirations and expectations and be sure that it is their interest in the sport that is leading them not yours.  Parents need to let the coach do the coaching. Do not criticize a coach in front of your child. Do not attempt to interfere with the coach or discuss playing time with a child or coach.

Place the focus on the fun aspects of a competitive sport as well as the value of team and participation.  Let your role remain positive, encouraging and healthy.   Positive Parenting is the key to ensuring that a child’s participation in a sport is a rewarding and positive experience. All benefits of team participation can quickly be negated when parents place unnecessary pressure on youth athletes through their words and actions.

What do you think?  Have you witnesses behavior by parents at sporting events that lead you to worry about the kids or possibly have to interfere or call the police?  Let us know how you handled the situation.  Was it a positive outcome?  Did the parents involved even think their behavior was out of line?  We welcome your comments.

Over Twenty million kids register each year for sport teams – Hockey, Soccer, Football, Baseball, Volleyball and other competitive sports. It is reported that 70 percent of these kids quit playing these league sports by age 13 — and never play them again. Although there are many reasons that the kids quit, the number one reason is that it just stops being fun.  With childhood obesity on the rise, we need to encourage our kids to be active.  Just get out away from TV and computer games and have fun.

With sports being such a positve part of kids lives, it’s time that we stop and think about how we approach our kids & sports starting at preschool level  and beyond.  During the preschool & early elementary levels, the focus should be on the element of play.  Don’t burden them with competition.  Get them running, kicking, throwing, catching and keep it fun.

Coaches & parents alike need to be aware that all kids don’t develop their physical stature, coordination or attention span at the same speed.  This is when we need to encourage our kids to develop a passion for the sport and the skills will come along as the kids themselves work to improve.  Many kids are turned off sports due to parents or coaches high expectations and they feel they will never live up to them.

During the middle school years, a great number of kids will drop out of their sports teams.  Winning seems all that is important and sports lose their “fun” aspect.  While most kids won’t make the school team, they should be encouraged to meet after school at parks for fun “pick-up” games where scores aren’t the main focus but developing relationships with other kids, team work and fun is the name of the game.

By high school age, it’s usually only the top athletes that play on the school teams & competitive levels.  With limited positions to be filled on the team it is just the “best” players that get picked by coaches.  But what about kids who still love to play sports but can’t because of their demanding academic, social, and work lives? Parents need to remind these kids of the fun they could have while playing these games and help them find the time to play them with other family members and friends. Helping your kids stay connected to the sports they love now can encourage them to remain physically active throughout their lives.

Many kids want to try out for sports.  A lot of them try because they think it will make them popular or make them cool.  While this may seem like a silly reason, there are lots of other benefits to sports that your child may overlook.  With TV, video games & computers so popular, it has become too easy for kids to isolate themselves and stay indoors.  Joining a team gives kids an opportunity to go out, get exercise and socialize. While they may not find a new best friend, they will learn how to interact and work as a team; something they’ll find useful later in life.
More and more kids are becoming overweight.  Joining a team sport will help your teen get out and get some exercise without feeling pressured to lose weight or get in shape.  If they see that their physical condition is causing them to under-perform, they may be motivated to do other activities to get healthy.  A big part of good parenting is  providing them with direction and encouragement and continuing to help them develop a healthy style of living.

A great way to show your love & support for your children is by showing up to their games, helping them to practice with the team and at home.  These are also great ways to spend time your kids and talk to them.  I know it is hard to make the time to be there, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Team sports are a great way for your child to get out of the house, get moving, and make friends.  So take the lead and get your kids out there enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

Anyone have any other ideas????  Please leave your comments here.

“A question for parents of kids who play sports: Do you feel guilty when you miss your child’s game?”

Send us images of your team wearing our socks!   We’ll post them here.  Please send them in jpegs so we can post them on our blog.  Looking forward to seeing you all.  Be sure to include a little about you so we can showcase you to all our viewers. 

Email them to us at AbsoluteSportSocks@AbsoluteSportSocks.com

Socks have become a piece of equipment for athletes. Instead of just being something to provide a layer of comfort between foot and shoe, socks can deliver a performance advantage.  When most of us put our socks on, we do so without thinking about the total protection they provide.  Socks, obviously, are used for added padding.  But they are equally important as a barrier between our foot and shoes.  They aid to combat all the pounding or stress suffered by the feet and ankles from running, cutting, jumping, and landing to lessen soreness and prevent injuries.

But why not have a little fun with these necessary pieces of clothing.  Our fun selection of all sport socks add zest and a stand out look to your winning team.  Polka dots, Stripes, Animal Prints and more.  We have zipper patterns and squiggleys and illusion patterns too.  Have fun with these wild crazy socks.

Cool Socks for your Team – Whether the game is soccer, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse or any other sport, is there anything special about fun sport team socks that helps a player or team perform at a higher level? Probably not. But, that does not mean that these funky socks can’t help affect the outcome of a contest. If you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, then you play good.

http://www.absolutesportsocks.com