The Soccer Kick Essay Example

teaching the learner about the run up to the ball and organizing activities that focus on this particular aspect of the skill. Next, moving on to teaching the actual striking of the ball, with emphasis on keeping their eyes on the ball and maintaining head position over it. Finally, providing instruction on executing proper follow-through after each strike.

One activity to teach learning soccer players or students is to line up 5 balls on a soccer field, positioning them around 10 yards away from the goal mouth. First, instruct the learner to practice their run-up, which can be done anywhere on the field. Then, have them visualize as if they were kicking the ball. Finally, instruct them to follow through with their kick. Once they have developed an understanding of the movements required to complete the skill, have them practice on the actual balls. Record their efforts and assess areas where they can improve for future sessions.

There are five main factors that can impact the learning stage: personality, confidence, ability, prior experience, and heredity. These factors determine how learners will handle acquiring new skills. Personality plays a vital role; individuals who are resistant to trying new and unfamiliar things may pose challenges in teaching. The ideal mindset for learning a new skill is to not be concerned with others' opinions or the time it takes to become proficient but to instead embrace the experience of acquiring new abilities.

Heredity, confidence, prior experience, and ability are all important factors in learning and performing skills. Heredity involves inheriting genetic characteristics from parents, such as skills in a sport. Confidence is the belief in one's own abilities and is crucial

for maintaining enjoyment while learning new skills. Prior experience allows the body to connect movements or skills to aid in the learning process. Ability determines how easily an individual can perform a movement or skill.

All these factors have an impact on learning abilities. The Associative Stage, which focuses on linking ideas and prioritizes practice, is the second stage of skill acquisition. A good illustration of this stage is an amateur rugby league player practicing goal kicking during training. The majority of young soccer players across the country will find themselves in the associative stage of learning.

Soccer is widely enjoyed by young individuals in Australia. Those who are in the associative stage of learning possess a few years of experience and have the potential to enhance their abilities. Although they may still commit occasional errors, these mistakes are not as noticeable or frequent. A primary objective for learners at this stage is to become proficient in using their non-dominant foot. This particular task proves to be significantly more challenging than initially acquiring the skill and demands nearly twice the exertion for most learners. The activity itself closely resembles that of the cognitive stage; however, it typically requires more time due to utilizing the less preferred foot.

Factors impacting learners in the associative stage of learning include the five previously mentioned factors. However, in this stage, learners possess a deeper understanding of the skill. Confidence plays a significant role at this stage, and learners must receive praise to ensure their motivation to continue. Having a supportive environment and people around them is crucial for boosting their confidence. Additionally, the learner's ability will influence the time required to reach

this stage and progress further in their learning journey (if at all).

Some learners may progress rapidly from the cognitive to the associative stage, but transitioning to the autonomous stage requires more time and effort. Personality traits also play a role in this stage. The learner may lose interest in the sport or possess a confrontational and stubborn nature, making them challenging to teach. The autonomous stage is characterized by full control over actions, which become automatic. A professional tennis player serving a ball in a tournament serves as an example.

The autonomous stage is where elite athletes will be placed. In this stage, the learner can perform the skill smoothly, naturally, and without errors. Additionally, they can also consider other factors in their environment. For example, a professional football player can make a pass even with two defenders nearby, and they can also move into open space to receive the ball back while simultaneously looking for the next pass to make.

One way to help an athlete in the autonomous stage maintain their skill level is to practice free kicks with a goalkeeper defending the goal and defenders forming a wall to assist the goalkeeper in keeping the ball away from the goal. This will challenge the athlete to make decisions that players in the cognitive or associative stages may struggle with, such as whether to shoot for goal or pass, how to strike the ball with the desired spin or curve, and where to find gaps in the defense to exploit and hopefully score.

If a learner has reached the autonomous stage of a skill, it indicates their strong passion for the sport or natural ability. Their

confidence will be high, as they believe in their ability to perform well. However, this can sometimes result in arrogance. It is crucial for all the factors influencing learners to be balanced in order for athletes to consistently perform skills at an elite level.

Skills can be obtained in different aspects of life, such as social, driving, and educational skills. The acquisition of these skills is not restricted to sports. Learning is a continuous process that depends on the commitment and time dedicated to developing specific skills. For instance, professional football players globally achieve proficiency in soccer kicks by investing hours of focused practice rather than relying solely on natural talent.