Kirkendall Donald T. - Soccer Anatomy

SECOND EDITION

Soccer

ANATOMY

Donald T. Kirkendall, PhD

Adam L. Sayers, PhD

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Kirkendall, Donald T., author. | Sayers, Adam L., 1977- author.

Title: Soccer Anatomy / Donald T. Kirkendall, PhD, Adam L. Sayers, PhD.

Description: Second edition. | Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, [2020] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019045831 (print) | LCCN 2019045832 (ebook) | ISBN 9781492593393 (paperback) | ISBN 9781492593409 (epub) | ISBN 9781492593416 (pdf)

Subjects: LCSH: Soccer--Training. | Soccer--Physiological aspects.

Classification: LCC GV943.9.T7 K57 2020 (print) | LCC GV943.9.T7 (ebook) | DDC 796.334--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019045831

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019045832

ISBN: 978-1-4925-9339-3 (print)

Copyright 2021 by Donald T. Kirkendall and Adam L. Sayers

Copyright 2011 by Donald T. Kirkendall, PhD

Human Kinetics supports copyright. Copyright fuels scientific and artistic endeavor, encourages authors to create new works, and promotes free speech. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this work and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without written permission from the publisher. You are supporting authors and allowing Human Kinetics to continue to publish works that increase the knowledge, enhance the performance, and improve the lives of people all over the world.

This publication is written and published to provide accurate and authoritative information relevant to the subject matter presented. It is published and sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, medical, or other professional services by reason of their authorship or publication of this work. If medical or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

The web addresses cited in this text were current as of October 2019, unless otherwise noted.

Acquisitions Editor: Michael Mejia; Senior Developmental Editor: Cynthia McEntire; Managing Editor: Shawn Donnelly; Copyeditor: Laura Stoffel; Permissions Manager: Martha Gullo; Graphic Designer: Sean Roosevelt; Cover Designer: Keri Evans; Cover Design Specialist: Susan Rothermel Allen; Photographs (for soccer illustration references): Tony Quinn, except Human Kinetics; Photographs (for exercise illustration references): Human Kinetics; Illustrations (cover and interior): Human Kinetics; Photo Asset Manager: Laura Fitch; Photo Production Manager: Jason Allen; Senior Art Manager: Kelly Hendren; Printer: Versa Press

Human Kinetics books are available at special discounts for bulk purchase. Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Manager at Human Kinetics.

Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program.

Human Kinetics

1607 N. Market St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Website: www.HumanKinetics.com

In the United States, email info@hkusa.com or call 800-747-4457.

In Canada, email info@hkcanada.com.

In the United Kingdom/Europe, email hk@hkeurope.com.

For information about Human Kinetics coverage in other areas of the world, please visit our website: www.HumanKinetics.com

E7918

For all those young players and coaches wanting to raise their game.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Pel called it the beautiful game. The simplicity of his comment about soccer has resonated among fans of the game for decades. The beauty of soccer begins with skill. Beautiful soccer means controlling an impossible ball, such as Dennis Bergkamps 89th-minute goal in the 1998 FIFA World Cup or Maxi Rodriguezs chest-to-volley strike from the upper corner of the penalty area at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Soccers beauty is in the perfectly paced seeing-eye pass threaded through the smallest opening in the defense, which you will see anytime Luka Modric (Croatia), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), or Paul Pogba (France) is playing. Soccers beauty is also seen in a solo dribbling run through the defense, such as Diego Maradonas 1v7 run against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup or in nearly any game featuring the incomparable Leo Messi. You can also find the beauty in the long-range bombenschuss strike by Paul Breitner at the 1974 FIFA World Cup or the audacious half-field score by Carli Lloyd in the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup final.

Then there is tactical brilliance. How about the 25-pass sequence to a goal by Argentina against Serbia in the 2006 FIFA World Cup or the lightning-fast length-of-the-field counterattack for a goal by the United States against Brazil in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup final? Brazils fourth goal against Italy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup is still considered a masterful display of teamwork, skill, and guile.

The objective of soccer is the same as in any other team sport: Score at least one more than the opponent to win the game. This simple philosophy is enormously complicated. To be successful, a team must be able to present a physical, technical, tactical, and psychological display that is superior to the opponent. When these elements work in concert, soccer is indeed a beautiful game; when one aspect is not in sync with the rest, however, a team can be masterful and still lose. The British say, They played well and died in beauty.

Soccer, like baseball, has suffered under some historical inertia: Weve never done that before and won. Why change? or I never did that stuff when I played. That attitude is doomed to limit the development of teams and players as the physical and tactical demands of the game advance.

How the game has advanced! For example, the first reports on running distance during a match noted English professionals of the mid 1970s (Everton FC) averaged about 8,500 meters (5.3 miles). Today, most distances average between 10,000 and 14,000 meters (6.2 and 8.7 miles). There are reports that many females, with their smaller hearts, lower hemoglobin levels, and smaller muscle mass, can cover the 6 miles attributed to men. The distance and number of runs at high speed have also increased as the pace of the game has become more ballistic and powerful. To those of us who have followed the game over the years, the professionals sure do seem to strike the ball a lot harder now.

The benefits of soccer extend beyond the competitive game. There is a continuing line of evidence showing that regular participation in recreational soccer by children, adults, and seniors (up to 70 years of age and beyond) is as effective as traditional aerobic exercise such as jogging for general health. In most cases, recreational soccer is better than more traditional exercises such as jogging or instructor-led classes. Regular recreational soccer play helps (1) stabilize or even reduce blood pressure, (2) improve cardiovascular structure and function, (3) improve the bodys ability to handle fats and glucose, (4) strengthen bones, and (5) allow players to lose fat mass. These benefits have been shown to occur in people with type II diabetes, hypertension, weight issues, and selected cancers, and soccer can even help improve the health of the homeless. Thats quite a host of benefitsall from playing an enjoyable game. An interesting side note is that when those studies were concluded, many non-soccer-playing participants just quit, but soccer players looked at each other and said, Great. Can we go play now?