Rising to the Top with Jamie Vardy

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     If you thought Leicester was unknown a few years ago, take a look at Jamie Vardy.
Vardy is a striker for Leicester City and the England National Team, who has been all the rage recently, with 19 goals and 4 assists in his previous games ("Jamie Vardy").  Many Barclay's Premier League Fans are asking themselves where this stud came from, who just begin to show his true colors recently.
     Before becoming Leicester's well-known hero, Vardy played several seasons in low division
leagues, such as: Stocksbridge Park Steels, Northern Premier League, and Conference Premier League. He was a very prominent player on all these teams, winning "Player of the Year" on one occasion.
     Initially, joining Leicester was difficult for Vardy, who was added in 2012. Usually being the top player on every team, Vardy was not used to being a substitute and having little effect on the outcomes of games. But he certainly did not give up on becoming the best. Out of nowhere Jamie Vardy began to turn it on. Since that moment, he has been on fire. Vardy and fellow teammate Riyad Mahrez have been blowing away the entire world with their goals performed as a duo.

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     Vardy has been particularly well known for his precise dribbling and "flick-ons". Fútbol fans over the world  are astonished that this player may be Leicester's first chance in ages to clinch the Premier League Championship.
    Already Jamie Vardy has set the world record for continuous goals in consecutive games. This player who was unheard of a few years ago, is dominating the pitch and the world is eager to witness where he will go next.

Jamie Vardy with incredible goal vs Liverpool

https://youtu.be/Lnncn1Hd3g8

More on Jamie Vardy.

Knowledge of the Game: An Overlooked Aspect

     Soccer is a sport in which intelligence and physicality are both necessities, and when mixed create very talented players. In "Qualities of a Soccer Player", FC Alliance describes the mental and physical aspects which great players display, and what new players should practice.  Today I am going to focus on a few of the knowledge related skills that are sometimes overlooked compared to those concerning fitness. Here are a few mental attributes, as described by FC Alliance, that I think are very important in a strong soccer players.

1. Positional Play
2. Vision
3. Awareness
4. Instinctive Reaction
5. Adaptability 
6. Inventiveness

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     I would say "positional play", "vision", and "awareness" are all connected and these all come with experience on the field. When you are on the field more and more, you become more aware of the area around you and can see the game better. Strong players know where their teammates and they should be, depending on the position of the ball. They know how to "use the space" and "create space", which helps create plays and advance the game of play. Furthermore, these players can anticipate where the ball will be played and visualize plays depending on where their teammates and defenders are, where the ball is, and where the space is. These qualities are extremely valuable, and they all come from extensive time spent simply playing.

      Then comes "instinctive reaction" and "adaptability" which refers knowing what to do when you receive the ball, even when there is pressure on you. When the ball is played to you, the last thing you want is to freak out when an opposing player pressures you and lose possession for your team. Therefore, strong players are able to remain composed and can adapt to tough circumstances. There players can seamlessly move forward when the pressure is on and thus make a big difference in the game.

     Finally there is "inventiveness" which is what creates a skillful midfielder or forward. These players, also with lots of experience, can create plays and goal scoring opportunities, with moves, tricks, and unique plays. This is where a player's personality can really show and aid their team.

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