Soccer is a sport enjoyed worldwide by people of all ages. Soccer players follow specific diets and training routines and play particular positions. Whether you're a player, a coach, a soccer fanatic or someone new to the game, you can learn more about what soccer players do to stay in shape, the sport's superstar professionals and the skills that allow soccer players to develop.
Diets and Hydration
Soccer players consume foods that are rich in carbohydrates two to three days prior to upcoming games and avoid heavy or unhealthy foods such as hamburgers and fries. A sample diet a soccer player might consist of egg whites and bananas for breakfast, fish and pasta with a salad as a side for lunch, and chicken and rice for dinner.
Hydration is another key component in preparing for upcoming games and practices. Soccer players consume water during game day while avoiding caffeinated or high sugar beverages such as coffee and soda. After practices and games, soccer players consume water accompanied by a sports drink to rehydrate and restore the electrolytes lost in sweat.
Positions
Soccer players take up several positions on the field. Depending on your formation, your lineup can vary: The defense could exist as a goalkeeper, two center fullbacks or a sweeper and stopper with a left and right fullback. Sweepers maintain the formation of the defense while ensuring that the ball does not get past them should the opposing team penetrate through the defense. Center fullbacks mark the opposing team's forwards and central midfielders and distribute the ball to their central midfielders. Left and right fullbacks mark the opposing team's outside midfielders and prevent crosses coming from the wings.
The midfield can comprise two central midfielders responsible for distributing the ball to their forwards, two outside midfielders responsible for running up and down the wings, or an attacking midfielder -- aiding the forwards when his team has possession in the opposing team's half -- and defensive midfielder -- aiding the defense in preventing the opposing team from scoring.
Forwards can comprise two or three strikers with two forwards who hold the ball and play it back to the midfield, or a lone striker up front for teams that play a more defensive style of soccer.
Famous Professionals
Famous soccer players such as Diego Maradona and Pelé revolutionized the game throughout their careers. Maradona, a past Argentine international, debuted in 1975 and created the "Maradona," a soccer turn performed by placing the sole of one foot on the ball, turning and dragging the ball toward your body to shield it and switching feet, dragging the ball with your opposite foot. Pelé, a past Brazilian international, was well-known for his dribbling ability and creativity with the ball. He debuted in 1956 for his club team Santos in Brazil, scoring one goal in a 7-1 victory. Currently, Lionel Messi, a midfielder for Barcelona and Argentine international who played under Maradona, is one of soccer's upcoming soccer stars. In March 2007, Messi and Barcelona played their rivals Real Madrid in an "El Clasico" game -- a match played between rival teams -- and Messi scored a hat-trick, with the last goal being an equalizer. Messi was only 19 at the time.
Core Fundamentals
Soccer players train to play a full 90-minute game and perform different fitness exercises to train their aerobic and anaerobic systems. Goalkeepers focus on plyometric workouts that include ball handling as they dive from post to post. Forwards, defenders and midfielders focus on strengthening their anaerobic systems to perform quick sprints and outside midfielders focus on long-distance running to cover distance and space on the wings. Each position focuses on the importance of ball control, passing, distribution, teamwork and discipline to further develop technical ability and skill to help their team win.
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