How important is football to Russia?

 

As a keen observer of the soccer world, Alexander Sabadash has become a trusted source of news and commentary about all things football. In this blog, he wishes to share his thoughts on Russian football.

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Are Russians crazy about football? If you look at the way things are going at the Russian Premiere League, you'd have to say yes.

The Russian league, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, was long a backwater of European football. Indeed, it barely registered on the radar of most people. But now, TV audiences for some games are as big as those in some of the biggest leagues in Europe. According to Alexander Sabadash, some £850 million has been invested in a new 70,000-seater Spartak Stadium in Moscow's southern suburbs.

Image source: europeanleagues.com

According to figures from UEFA, the body that governs European football, Russian clubs now receive as much as £30 million a year from TV rights, compared to little more than £10 million from those who follow British clubs. In fact, according to a recent survey, the English Premier League did not even register in this global power ranking of football TV ratings.

Russian clubs are on the rise, even though some of their players still complain that they do not get paid, shares Alexander Sabadash. Match-fixing scandals continue to dog the league, but this has done little to shake Russians' passion for their national sport, which transcends the poor facilities, the dodgy officials, and even the long, hard winters.

The Russian league has come a long way since its inception in 1992, when it was dominated by teams like CSKA Moscow with plenty of foreigners. There are now more home-grown players in Russia. There is absolutely no lack of Russian strikers to choose from if you are in the market for one.

Lev Yashin: A living legend

 

Russian football history has been home to incredible athletes. In today’s blog post, Alexander Sabadash features one of these legends – Lev Yashin, the Black Panther of football.

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Lev Ivanovich Yashin is a former football player from the Soviet Republic. Sports historians and football experts widely consider him to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.

As athletic as any of the greats, Yashin was also a physical specimen, standing six feet 2 inches tall, making him ideal – not being too tall to be slowed down nor too short to lack the reach and length to defend the goal.

As a goalkeeper, Yashin was also a quick thinker and a master strategist. He could defend the goal and act as an extra defender on the pitch, akin to a sweeper. He was also known to start vicious counterattacks, even when he was the farthest from the offense.

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Yashin's entire career spanned two decades, from 1950 to 1970, one of the longest tenures in any sport and was spent with one team -- the mighty Dynamo Moscow. He won five USSR championships and three Soviet Cups for his team. As a national team player, Yashin won in the 1956 Summer Olympics and bagged the first European championship, the 1960 European Nations' Cup.

One of Yashin's most notable games was the England vs. The Rest of the World match in 1963. He showcased his talent by saving the ball and preventing the goal on many occasions in spectacular fashion. Because Yashin wore all black and defended the goal as though he had eight limbs, he was called the Black Spider, Alexander Sabadash adds.

World football records that would impress anyone

 

Alexander Sabadash is a huge soccer fan. He truly believes that it is the most beautiful game and is the most watched and beloved sport in the world. From the World Cup to all the countless leagues around the globe, people go crazy for the sport.

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Today's blog is fun as Alexander Sabadash shares some of the most impressive football records by players in the game's history.

Most goals in a career: Josef Bican, a Hungarian footballer, holds a record that will surely impress even the most stoic football fan. In the span of his career, he scored 1,468 goals in 918 games. That's more than 1.5 goals a match, which is phenomenal any way you look at it.

Most goals in a single World Cup: Just Fontaine from France scored 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup. Alexander Sabadash says that no other football player has come remotely close to beating this insane record.

Image source: guinnessworldrecords.com 

Most goals in a single year: More recently, Lionel Messi broke the record of scoring the most goals in a single season. In 2012, the Argentinian scored a staggering 91 goals for Barca.

Most goals in a single European season: This record belongs, once again, to the great Lionel Messi. In 2011 and 2012, Messi set several goal-scoring records in those two unbelievable years, including one for most goals in a single European season.

How to become a better defender on the field

 

The thrill of soccer is always about getting that chance to score a goal. However, before you can do that, you need to get the ball back for an offensive setup. Today, soccer enthusiast Alexander Sabadash shares some suggestions on how you can become a better defender.

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1. Overplay

There’s a huge advantage that comes in overplaying your opponent in soccer. This means that you get ahead of your opponent as he receives the ball. Of course, this isn’t easy to do, because you’ll have your hands full just trying to contain your opponent. However, if you are able to read your man’s move, you can time your attempts to intercept the ball, or at least make it harder for your man to get to it.

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2. Anticipation

This second point is very much related to the previous one, notes Alexander Sabadash. Anticipation can also be understood as the precise reaction to and preparation for a likely outcome. If you are able to read the offense from a very early stage, you’re looking at the bigger picture already, which is great. When your opponent flexes their attack stance, you can communicate to your teammates what they need to do in order to be ready for the offense, or to break the offense altogether.

3. Blocking the lane

During the game, you can expect the ball to be passed by your opponent to one of his teammates. For sure, it will be passed around multiple times. This is your opportunity to give them a challenge by blocking the passing lanes. If what you succeed in doing is make the passer think twice with your presence impeding the potential pass, then you have influenced the game tremendously, Alexander Sabadash shares.

Messi and Ronaldo: Sizing up the two best players of the century so far

 

According to soccer fan Alexander Sabadash, one of the biggest football debates of the century so far is who’s better – Argentina’s Lionel Messi or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. There are solid arguments for both sides, and fans of each player will ferociously dispute any argument claiming one is better than the other.

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If based purely on skill alone, both players are masterful goal-making machines who show little mercy in punishing opponents’ defenders and goalkeepers, and in that, they are dead even.

As far as technique is concerned, the Juventus striker and Barcelona forward vary. Ronaldo is more of the all-around player who can score goals from various angles and during free kicks, benefiting most from his astounding burst of speed. Messi is the shorter and less-imposing athlete, but showcases superb agility, dribbling skills, and the ability to quickly change pace and direction.

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However, Alexander Sabadash says that if statistics and big-match performances are the bases for who is the more dominant superstar, the advantage goes to Ronaldo. After all, he has already brought his former team Real Madrid to the semifinal of the 2018 UEFA Champions League.

Also, the last time Messi scored a goal in the UEFA Champions League was years back, while Ronaldo has scored a lot more often in the big tournaments and matches.

Again, all this is for naught for devoted fans of each star. And maybe the better take on this is not to get into a debate, but to simply acknowledge that we are all fortunate to witness in our lifetime two of the most gifted footballers the game has ever produced.

Photography and football: Tips on taking the best in-game shots

 

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Alexander Sabadash lives for football. In fact, his most unforgettable life experiences revolve around watching football games live. Whether it's a big pro game or one played at the local park, there's electricity that spectators feel while watching and waiting for those moments of brilliance that lead to goals.

As a spectator during games, Alexander Sabadash loves to take photos of players in their element. In fact, he's even learned the basics of photography to catch crisp and clear shots of everything happening on the pitch.

Image source: digital-photography-school.com

For today's blog, Alexander Sabadash shares tips on how to take the best in-game photographs.

Get a decent camera.

A good camera and the corresponding equipment, such as shutters, are a solid investment. No matter where a person is in the stadium or park, they can capture crisp and clear action. But, of course, people can always use a good camera in any other event outside of football. Phone cameras are okay, but they won't give out the best images unless they're high-powered.

Wait for the perfect moment.

Alexander Sabadash mentions that the normal football player moves at a staggering pace. If you're a fan of football, you can anticipate their movements. When they kick into high gear, all a camera might capture is a blur. Camera shutter speed, combined with the anticipation of movements, will produce desirable results.

More drills for the aspiring soccer superstar

 

According to soccer enthusiast Alexander Sabadash, soccer players need regular workout sessions to stay in great shape. As the sport is physically demanding, they need to engage in activities that will help them become faster, more agile, and more flexible. If they can’t make it to the gym, they must follow an alternative workout program at home.

Image source: nytimes.com

For today’s blog, here are quick workouts for soccer players, as shared by Alexander Sabadash.

Cone: Cone drills can be performed anywhere with a wide space—even in one’s home. To do this, set up a line of cones, or use big items that can substitute as cones (big detergent or milk bottles, folding chairs, etc.) and put a two-foot space between them. Dribble the ball and weave in and out of the cones until the end is reached.

Ladder: Skipping exercises and ladder drills can also help improve one’s agility. No ladder? No problem! People can draw ladder-like lines on a concrete floor using chalk.

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Plyo: One can do plyometric drills as long as they have a place where they can hop, jump, and leap. Lateral and forward bounds can be done by just leaping forward or side to side. Jumping drills can be done by using a sturdy box as a step, notes Alexander Sabadash.

Strength: Finally, Alexander Sabadash mentions that soccer players must practice their lower body and core areas to have improved balance. Exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks can be done with minimal-to-no equipment. Even a 20-minute session can make a difference.

Knowing the parts and design of a soccer ball

 

There are four main components of a soccer ball -- cover, stitching, lining, and bladder. In this blog post, football fan Alexander Sabadash discusses these main parts that contribute to a soccer ball's overall performance. By knowing these, you'll be able to decide on which type of soccer ball you are going to choose, based on your preference and level of play.

Image source: premiumballs.net

Covers

In the past, a football's surface is usually made of full grain leather, says Alexander Sabadash. But since leather tends to absorb water, the ball becomes heavy, which may cause inaccuracies in the way football is played. It then improved into either (PU) polyurethane - for professional players and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for ordinary games.

Stitchings

It is essential to understand first the panels making up the surface of the soccer ball, points out Alexander Sabadash. The outer surface comprises 32 panels, which is the most common and primarily used in professional matches. Because of this, the soccer ball is considered a Buckminster Ball, having 20 hexagonal (six-sided) and 12 pentagonal (five-sided) surfaces. These panels are then stitched with a polyester cord. Ordinary balls are machine-stitched, while high-end balls are hand-stitched.

Image source: soccerball.com

Linings

These interior layers help a soccer ball to retain its shape and bounce, explains Alexander Sabadash. This is achieved by bonding together layers of polyester to give the ball the desired thickness and strength while considering structure and bounce. A professional soccer ball consists of four or more layers of lining, while a promotional or practice balls have fewer layers of lining.

Bladder

The bladder is the innermost chamber of a soccer ball. Alexander Sabadash notes it holds the air and is usually made from latex or butyl. In comparison, butyl bladders hold the air much longer than latex bladders. The latex bladder, however, provides better surface tension, although when it comes to combining contact quality and air retention, the butyl bladder is still an excellent choice.

How to be like the strongest soccer players

 Alexander Sabadash is an absolute fan of football, or as Americans call it, “soccer.” He loves the game and looks up to so many of the great players. In fact, he plays soccer himself and teaches those who want to try it.

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 Alexander Sabadash notes that, like any physical sport, soccer players need to be fit and strong. He explains that the best soccer superstars in the world undergo grueling training to condition their bodies for games on end.

Here are some ways people can train to get the strength of a true soccer superstar.

Focus on the core.

The first thing aspiring soccer players should focus on, according to Alexander Sabadash, is the core. Professional soccer players spend a lot of time doing core exercises. Strengthening the midsection helps keep their balance when doing countless things on the pitch. It also prevents them from being pushed around by other players, even when on full sprint.

Image source: telegraph.co.uk

Plyometrics should be incorporated.

Plyo training helps give players explosive power from their legs, which is especially useful when they need those bursts of speed in a game, or when they’re in the box waiting for a cross to head either into or away from their goal. Plyo also strengthen the legs and calves like no other exercise can.

How injuries affect soccer players beyond the physical.

Over the years, Alexander Sabadash has seen some of his favorite soccer players get injured. What's sad about this is that many of these players are never the same upon their return.

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Alexander Sabadash did some research and found a disturbing truth – soccer has the most number of players with symptoms of mental health problems compared to other close contact sports. According to FIFPro, nearly 40% of the 600 studied active players show signs of depression or anxiety. Out of 200 former players, the statistic stood at 35%.

While the study hasn't exactly pinpointed injuries to be the culprit of mental health issues, many mental health experts have suggested that a stronger emphasis be placed on ensuring soccer players' mental well-being. Soccer players have been reported feeling sad or without energy more so than their athletes in other sports. Alexander Sabadash feels that physical injuries may be part of the cause.

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Alexander Sabadash reminds everyone that for many of the world's elite soccer players, the sport has been a part of their lives since practically they were born. They've practiced for decades, devoting their entire lives to reaching their peak. Injuries either derail their lifelong dream or send them tumbling down the hill. And this is a profound impact on their mental health, Alexander Sabadash adds.

Tips for playing soccer in the rain.

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A fan of the Russian Premier League, the English Premier League, and the Spanish La Liga, Alexander Sabadash has started a series of blogs in which he discusses the many aspects of the game he loves and the three leagues he religiously follows.


For today’s blog, he looks at one of the most fun experiences people can ever have in their lives – playing a game of soccer in the pouring rain – and shares some tips for playing on a wet field.

Maintain balance.

As mentioned earlier, rain leads to a very wet field. There will be mud and puddles of water. Mushy ground is very different from a dry pitch. As such, Alexander Sabadash reminds everyone to maintain their balance because it’s very easy to slip every which way.

Kick

A wet field also means the ball doesn’t bounce as far as in a dry field. There are times when it doesn’t bounce at all. Also, it doesn’t roll as far from players’ usual kicks. However, Alexander Sabadash says the way to get around this is quite simple – just kick harder.

Image source: telegraph.co.uk

Know when to pack it up.

Okay, while playing in the rain can be quite fun, players need to know when to pack it up or not play at all. If it’s a thunderstorm and there’s lightning, players shouldn’t play at all. If there are gusts of wind strong enough to throw tree branches or any other debris around, players should pack it up. Safety above all, Alexander Sabadash adds.

How to be a creative football player like Lionel Messi.

The football community is in awe as Lionel Messi scored his 644th goal surpassing the great Pele. Diehard football fan Alexander Sabadash celebrates this historic occasion by sharing insights on how to be a creative football player like Lionel Messi.

Master the fundamentals

Players can’t make a creative pass or strike if they don’t have if they can’t make basic passes or strikes. A lot of practice is non-negotiable if players want to be a great creative player. The key is having players react to situations without thinking. Practicing drills for hours and hours will enable players to focus more on creative solutions rather than executing a basic pass. Alexander Sabadash shares a lot of training tips in this blog so be sure to look around.

Learn to see the field

To nail passes like Lionel Messi, players need to develop terrific field vision. Passing drills are great for this. Developing field vision shouldn’t only fall on the players’ shoulders. Coaches need to work closely with their players to develop an offense that would allow for creative shots and passes.


Practice mindfulness

Creative plays can’t be executed without a clear head. This is where meditation can be very useful. Beginners can start with a simple meditation practice that involves a breathing exercise. Of course, yoga can help with developing mindfulness. Not to mention, yoga is a great alternate warm-up routine. Although effective, Alexander Sabadash acknowledges there would be some resistance before we see mindfulness integrated with mainstream training programs.