There are lots of things to learn when playing on a soccer tea like how to kick a ball, dribbling skills and heading. However, some of the most important skills learned on the field have nothing to do with the ball.  We often hear about the life lessons and life skills that kids learn by playing sports such as building confidence, hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, friendships, responding to challenges and successes. In this day and age when young athletes have more confidence sending emails and text messages than talking to adults, one of the life skills young soccer players can learn is how to communicate directly with their coaches and in turn build the confidence to communicate off the field.

Someone once said the most powerful words are “please” and “thank you”. A simple “thanks coach” after practice or a thank you note at the end of the season does wonder for filling the emotional tank of coaches who give countless hours to their teams. It also builds communication confidence in kids. What starts out as an end of the game “thank you” can develop into a young player having the confidence to communicate directly with their coach in the future. Learning to communicate with youth coaches gives young athletes confidence to communicate down the road with high school and college coaches.

An athlete that is confident communicating with their coaches is likely to be confident communicating with teachers and later employers and colleagues in the work place. A simple “thank you” after a practice is more than just giving  gratitude to a coach, it is also part of the life lessons and skills that help a young athlete become a confident and empowered adult on and off the field.

The post Building Confidence By Saying Thank You to Coaches appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

The 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Soccer
EA Sports FIFA Tournament

Date: Monday, November 12, 2012

Time: Noon-7pm

Team Draft: Saturday, November 10, 2012

Time: 5:00PM

Platform: XBox and PS3

Size: Limited to 32 Players

Prizes: For top 4 finishers

Games: 2 game guarantee

Registration: $10.00. Register at Rocky Mountain Soccer  1933 28th St. Boulder, CO
(100% of proceeds go to support youth soccer via the Rocky Mountain Soccer “More Than A Brand Project”)

The post FIFA 13 Tournament 11.12.12 appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

Have you thought about sitting back and playing EA Sports’ FIFA 13 video game on your PS3 or Xbox as a way to take your soccer game to the next level? There are many different ways to become a better soccer player, especially in the Boulder, Colorado area – private soccer lessons, soccer camps, soccer clinics, joining a youth soccer club, high school soccer, pick up soccer, kicking a ball on your own, watching professional soccer and watching college soccer. These are all good ideas for improving at soccer but maybe the secret is in a video game?

“There is no doubt that playing FIFA 13 improves your soccer intelligence,” explains a local Boulder County youth club Director of Coaching. Playing FIFA 13 is similar to watching soccer but more interactive and it’s teaches you about soccer culture. As the world’s most popular sports video game, FIFA 13 has now become a part of soccer’s culture.

By playing FIFA 13 you can learn about soccer tactics, passing combinations, angles of support, movements off the ball and much more. The high level of graphics on FIFA 13 shows players an excellent picture of techniques to try at practice and games.

FIFA 13 allows you to control or adjust just about every aspect of soccer. You can learn about tactical formations, styles of play, systems and tactics that coaches may not cover in a soccer season. There are kids as young as 7 and 8 years old who are more tactically aware about soccer than their coaches because they are “studying’” soccer by playing FIFA 13. Years ago American kids learned about baseball by playing with and trading baseball cards. EA Sports has taken off-the-field participation in sport to a whole new level with their sports video game franchises like FIFA 13.

The EA Sport FIFA video franchise is directly responsible for helping to increase the popularity of soccer in the U.S. even with nonplaying sports fans.

When you play FIFA 13 you learn about the global game.  You learn about teams and players around the world.  Ask a typical elementary kid about the Ivory Coast you may get a creative answer. That’s probably true for most Americans. Ask a FIFA 13 player in the first grade and they can tell you that Ivory Coast is a country in Africa, Didier Drogba is their top player and they can recognize the county and dozens of other countries by their flag, colors, players and style of play. Kids are learning about the world from their PS3 or Xbox.

Kids are now identifying with professional teams and countries because of FIFA 13. They are fans of the global game now. Thanks in part to FIFA 13, kids living in Boulder call themselves fans of Real Madrid or even Paris Saint-Germain.

It can be hard for a kid to sit and watch a whole professional soccer game for ninety minutes on television or at the stadium but they will easily stay engaged playing FIFA 13.  Coaches would be wise to encourage FIFA 13 activities with their teams as a learning experience.

Where did that nine year old learn kid all those cool soccer moves and tricks? Soccer Camp?  Not likely these days. Many youth players are picking up soccer tricks and moves and techniques by playing FIFA 13. Kids are sponges and they will pick up one-versus-one soccer moves playing FIFA 13 and then try them on the field at practice and in games.

“I have a 2^nd grader that is practicing chipping the ball, bicycle kicks, chest traps, overlapping runs, nutmegs all because he saw it while playing FIFA,” explains a Boulder recreational U8 coach. “These kids that play FIFA, their soccer IQ is way ahead of their age. It’s off the chart.”

Maybe we have under estimated kids abilities to pick up higher-level soccer ideas rather than just running in a bunch chasing a soccer ball. What if soccer clubs had FIFA days and FIFA touraments as part of their soccer program? It is obvious on game day which kids have exposure to soccer outside of scheduled practices.  Be it playing FIFA, family influences or watching the adult game on TV, exposure to soccer outside of practice improves development. Kids with this kind of exposure simply have a higher understanding of the game.  With that understanding comes confidence playing the game.

Of course, playing FIFA 13 alone doesn’t make you a better soccer player. It still takes thousands of hours getting real touches on the ball and learning to make real decisions under pressure from real opponents. However, a few hours of FIFA 13, for the price of one private soccer lesson, can make more impact in a player’s soccer development than you may think.

Now before some anyone jump in and say video games are bad for kids  (we know the facts about overweight kids in America), we are not saying kids should stop playing soccer. We want kids playing soccer, being fit and running around with healthy lifestyles. We are saying that playing a bit of FIFA 13 in addition to playing soccer will help a player improve, appreciate and understand soccer which in turn inspires more playing, more running around and more fun.

*Here are some interesting reports on kids playing video games:

Are Video Games Truly Bad for Kids’ Health?

Are Video Games Actually Good For Kids?

Why does the media still think video games are bad for kids?

The post Playing FIFA 13 Makes You A Better Soccer Player appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

The Pele Sports Radium futsal shoe has emerged as one of the best futsal shoes in the market. Great touch, control, support and comfort for the futsal court, gym floor or short turf field. Pele Sports has released the new color way just in time for cold weather as soccer players start moving inside for futsal and indoor soccer. Of course, those of you in the warm climates are probably enjoying your futsal on outside courts.

Pele is the greatest soccer player to ever play the game. With three World Cup titles under his name and more goals than any other player, Pele is rightfully the King of Soccer. The game of Futsal was an important part of his development as a player and has now become very popular in North America. We recommend futsal as part of your soccer development plan. But most important, futsal is fun. Play like a champion and have fun!

For more details about buying the Pele Sports Radium Sport Futsal / Indoor Soccer Shoe visit PeleSports.RockyMountainSoccer.com

The post Pele Sports Radium Sport Futsal Shoe appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

We are offering these Pele Sports items at a special 25% off retail deal while supplies last. Great savings on soccer shorts, soccer shirts, soccer socks, soccer jerseys, soccer bags and other soccer gear. These deals will not last long as supplies are limited.

PELE SPORTS BRAZIL BIKE KICK TEE – $18.75

PELE CORE TRACK JACKET – YELLOW – $41.25

PELE CORE TEE – BLUE – $18.75

PELE CORE TEE – GOLD – $18.75

PELE SPORTS 1970 TEE – $22.50

PELE SPORTS 1962 TEE – $22.50

PELE SPORTS NYC TEE – NAVY – $18.75

PELE SPORTS NYC TEE – GREEN – $18.75

PELE SPORTS NYC TEE – WHITE – $22.50

PELE SPORTS 1958 TEE – $22.50

PELE SPORTS SOCIAL ENERGY TECH CREW – GREEN – $30

PELE SPORTS SOCIAL ENERGY SHORT – BLUE – $30

PELE SPORTS SOCIAL GAMEDAY – YELLOW – $41.25

PELE SPORTS COMPETITOR 3/4 PANT – PEACOAT – $37.50

Pele Signature Gameday Tee – Aspen Gold – $28.50

PELE 10 TEE – BLUE – $18.75

PELE RAG SWEAT SHIRT- GREEN – $37.50

PELE 10 TEE – YELLOW – $18.75

Pele Sports Urban Duffel – Yellow – $22.50

Pele Sport Urban Duffel – Blue – $22.50

PELE SPORTS COMPETITOR GAMEDAY – YELLOW – $45

PELE SPORTS COMPETITOR TRAINING TOP – YELLOW – $33.75

PELE SPORTS COMPETITOR RAGLAN TRACK – WHITE – $48.75

PELE SPORTS COMPETITOR RAGLAN TRACK – NAVY – $48.75

The post Pele Sports Soccer Gear 25% Off Clearance Deals appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

You are invited to join the inaugural Rocky Mountain Soccer EPL Fantasy League. Following the English Premier League is exciting; it’s even better with EPL fantasy league. Rocky Mountain Soccer will be giving away weekly prizes and season prizes. Join the league; follow all the action and come on down to the shop to watch all the EPL excitement this season. Teams can enter anytime during the season but be sure to enter BEFORE the first game on August 18th to have a better shot at the end of the season prizes.

DETAILS

Cost – FREE TO PLAY!

EPL Fantasy League Party & Opening Day Party
at Rocky Mountain Soccer Shop, August 18
Join us at Rocky Mountain Soccer to celebrate the opening of the EPL season and to meet other EPL Fantasy League players. Snacks and refreshments provided by Rocky Mountain Soccer. We will be showing EPL games on our big HDTV between 8:00AM-2:30PM.

Prizes – Prizes awarded to the team with the most points each week. Prizes will be awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the season. Prizes will be from soccer brands like Nike, Adidas, Pele Sports, Rocky Mountain Soccer. Prizes will be available for pick up only at Rocky Mountain Soccer. We will not be mailing prizes.

Weekly Prizes for top 3 teams
Season Prizes for top 4 teams.

How to join –

1) Go to: http://fantasy.premierleague.com

2) Log in

3) Entered your team (you can make unlimited transfers before the first game week)

4) Click on the ‘Leagues’ link at the top of the webpage.

5) Now enter the league code 490552-127637

The name of the league is “RockyMountainSoccer.Com”

Questions – if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. For full rules of fantasy league, please visit http://fantasy.premierleague.com/rules/. For our league, players are NOT allowed multiple entries… 1 team per person.

Anybody is welcome to join the league… the more the merrier! Feel free to forward this to any friends that would be interested in joining us!

The post Rocky Mountain Soccer Hosted EPL Fantasy League 2012-2013 appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

One of the most respected Football Boot Specialists in North America is Michael Leaves, owner of famed Rocky Mountain Soccer in Boulder, Colorado. When newly signed Colorado Rapids player Shane O’Neill wanted a proper fitting of the Pele Sports Trinity 3E FG K, the world’s lightest kangaroo leather soccer shoes, he stopped into the shop for a proper boot fitting. As a rookie in Major League Soccer the world’s lightest kangaroo leather soccer shoe may come in handy for Shane as he transitions from high school and Colorado Rapids Academy soccer  to the professional level.

The post Trinity 3E FG K – Proper Soccer Shoe Fitting with Shane O’Neill Colorado Rapids appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

Rocky Mountain Soccer, Boulder, Colorado’s premier soccer specialty retailer since 1996, has launched an e-commerce site dedicated specifically to the soccer brand Pele Sports. The website features the complete line of available Pele Sports products in North America. In 2010, Rocky Mountain Soccer became the first retailer in North America to open an retail account with Pele Sports.

“Pele is, of course, the most well-known and inspiring person in soccer. We are honored to be selected as the first store in North America to sell his brand and it is a natural progression for us to partner with Pele Sports and offer their complete line via our website, pelesports.rockymountainsoccer.com,” explains Michael Leaves, owner of Rocky Mountain Soccer.

Pele Sports is more than just the brand of a soccer icon. Their products like the Pele Sports Trinity 3E soccer cleats are innovative and are helping to drive the sport forward. The Pele Sports Trinity 3E FG K is the lightest kangaroo leather soccer cleat on the market. Pele Sport also has a complete line of performance and casual soccer apparel for men and women.
Pele Sports is available at pelesports.rockymountainsoccer.com.

The post Rocky Mountain Soccer Launches Pele Sports Online Store appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

Lighter and greener, the Nike line of Euro 2012 Kits feature sleek designs and national heritage. What’s your favorite kit?

Now available at Rocky Mountain Soccer.

The post NIKE brings cutting edge innovation and design to EURO 2012 Kits appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.

Trinity 3E is available online at http://pelesports.rockymountainsoccer.com

Design Rocky Mountain Soccer’s Facebook Timeline Artwork Contest.

Win a pair of Pele Sports Trinity 3E soccer cleats ($200 value) and have your artwork featured!

1. Download artwork elements .zip file here.

2. Your Original artwork must include the Rocky Mountain Soccer logo and the Pele Sports logo. Theme of contest: Show us your vision of “How Rocky Mountain Soccer is More Than a Shop“. The rest is up to you!

3. SUBMIT your 850 pixel wide x 315 pixel high (RGB, 72dpi) .JPG by May 30, 2012. (You can submit as many images as you want.)

Send us your contest entries to: michael@rockymountainsoccer.com

We will post ALL* submissions on Rocky Mountain Soccer Facebook page and choose (1) winner.

* Our disclaimer: If you submit something that is inappropriate, then we will not post it and we will tell your mother.

The post Design Our Facebook Timeline Artwork, Win A Pair of Pele Trinity 3E appeared first on Rocky Mountain Soccer.