One of the most important aspects of becoming a good defender is to have superb footwork.

Most top level soccer players use a speed and agility ladder workout to improve their footwork and that is what we would like you to do for your NOGA homework today.

All you need to do is mark on your driveway or, any safe concrete area a chalk ladder like the one in the picture.

The ladder should be 10 yards long and 1 foot wide with a comfortable distance of 12” – 14” between each rung.

When you are completing your ladder homework make sure you are working on the balls of your feet and keeping your heels off the ground at all times. This is the optimal foot position for maximizing speed and agility.

Only go as fast as your skill level allows. Start slowly; even if you have to walk through the sequences at first until you master the movement with good technique before you add speed. Increase to maximum speeds as soon as you are able and have rhythm.

To complete your homework you need to do the three exercises below. You should complete each of them SIX times.

One Foot Runs
Run through the ladder, placing one foot in each square. Do not let their heels touch the ground, but allow your arms to move in sync with their legs. Your goal should be to move through the full length of the ladder and to not touch any of the chalk rungs.

Two Foot Runs
Two Foot Runs are just like the last drill except that both feet step into every hole. The same foot leads into each hole and the same foot trails into each hole. This pattern is more difficult than the last because it requires that more steps be taken and that more body control be used. Because Two Foot Runs requires that one foot always be the lead foot, you must perform an equal number of repetitions leading with both their right and left feet.

The NOGA Shuffle
This is excellent for rhythm, and, after you have learned it correctly, can be done extremely fast! Begin to the left of the first hole in the ladder. The right foot steps laterally (sideways) into the first hole and is the followed by the left. The right foot then steps out to the right of the first hole. The left foot is lifted off the ground, and steps to the second hole of the ladder. The right foot quickly follows, and the process is repeated. This is definitely a drill that should be learned by walking through the ladder first. Your feet should never cross when performing this drill.

Take a look at the foot-work, positioning and patience of these top class defenders:

Ever wanted to be the world's most famous soccer player? Well here, just for a few minutes at least, is your chance. At your camp meeting on Friday we would like you to be David Beckham.

Kick on the link below to download the mask, then follow the directions to make the mask.

David Beckham Mask

Please make sure that you get your parents permission to make the mask and that you ask them to help you with the directions if you need it.

You will need a some thin card, a glue stick, scissors, tape, and two pieces of string or elastic.

1. Download the David Beckham mask
2. Print the mask out in color on your printer onto the piece of thin card or print it on paper and then glue the mask to a piece of thin card.
3. Carefully and safely follow the outline to cut around the outside of David's face
4. Tape one piece of string to one of David's ear and another piece of string to the other ear. You can staple the string to the ears through the tape to make your mask even stronger.
5. Carefully and safely cut a small hole in each eye to see through and two small holes in the nose to breathe through.
6. Put the mask on and have someone help you tie the two pieces of string or elastic behind your head
7. You are now David Beckham of LA Galaxy and England - the world's most famous soccer superstar and you are ready for Friday's camp meeting.

Soccer is the not only the world's favorite but also the world's simplest game. For many millions around the world all it takes is a ball.

But, have you ever really thought about that simple, round, air filled object which moves so many all over the globe?

If your looking for a soccer related project for school or, if your just interested in how we got to the high tech design of today's soccer ball then you should check out The History Of The Soccer Ball