David Beckham - What's it all about?
by Adrian Kinley on 2007-09-23
To watch David Beckham playing is to watch a master craftsman at work, perhaps even an artist! As European soccer mourns, The States awaits his arrival with many wondering why.
Soccer is growing in The States, no question about that and its about to get a whole lot bigger. Many in The States cannot get excited about soccer but even they wonder what's so special about David Beckham playing soccer?
To understand the phenomena that is David Beckham you need to understand the player. The reason he first won the England fans over and then the Real Madrid fans was not because he was the best player in the team, he wasn't. Nor was it his speed, or his ball juggling skills, his witty after match comments etc.
The reason his fans love him and even supporters of rival teams admire him so much is because the guy just never gives up. His team can be 2 goals down with a few minutes left on the clock but Beckham will be running and chasing to win the ball. It is this will to win and belief in himself that will win over America's arm chair sports fans. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and always has done.
It helps of course that he is the worlds best crosser of the ball as well as one of the worlds best free kick takers. These skills again show you Beckham's mindset and determination. He was never a naturally skillful player in the mold of say a Pele or George Best and as a young lad in the youth team trying to break into Manchester United's first team, e had a problem - he couldn't beat a defender! Every time he tried to go round or past one he would lose the ball.
With the coach Sir Alex Ferguson ever watchful it became clear to Beckham that he could either accept his fate and be passed on to a lesser club where he'd ply his trade as a decent player or he could solve this problem and play for the biggest club in the world. Thankfully for Manchester United, himself and soccer fans throughout the world he chose the hard route. He decided if he could not beat a defender then he would have to get rid of the ball before facing defense. He stayed behind after official training every night and practised crossing the ball. He practised until he could land the ball exactly at the spot he wanted. He also learnt the art of bending the ball until no one in the world could bend it like Beckham.
All this practising with a moving ball meant his dead ball skills went through the roof and he soon established himself as Manchester United's and then England's free kick specialist. His peers regard him the finest free kick taker in the world.
As David Beckham sets off on a new adventure both the L.A. Galaxy and arm chair fans will soon come to understand why we loved him so much and why we miss him already.
Soccer is growing in The States, no question about that and its about to get a whole lot bigger. Many in The States cannot get excited about soccer but even they wonder what's so special about David Beckham playing soccer?
To understand the phenomena that is David Beckham you need to understand the player. The reason he first won the England fans over and then the Real Madrid fans was not because he was the best player in the team, he wasn't. Nor was it his speed, or his ball juggling skills, his witty after match comments etc.
The reason his fans love him and even supporters of rival teams admire him so much is because the guy just never gives up. His team can be 2 goals down with a few minutes left on the clock but Beckham will be running and chasing to win the ball. It is this will to win and belief in himself that will win over America's arm chair sports fans. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and always has done.
It helps of course that he is the worlds best crosser of the ball as well as one of the worlds best free kick takers. These skills again show you Beckham's mindset and determination. He was never a naturally skillful player in the mold of say a Pele or George Best and as a young lad in the youth team trying to break into Manchester United's first team, e had a problem - he couldn't beat a defender! Every time he tried to go round or past one he would lose the ball.
With the coach Sir Alex Ferguson ever watchful it became clear to Beckham that he could either accept his fate and be passed on to a lesser club where he'd ply his trade as a decent player or he could solve this problem and play for the biggest club in the world. Thankfully for Manchester United, himself and soccer fans throughout the world he chose the hard route. He decided if he could not beat a defender then he would have to get rid of the ball before facing defense. He stayed behind after official training every night and practised crossing the ball. He practised until he could land the ball exactly at the spot he wanted. He also learnt the art of bending the ball until no one in the world could bend it like Beckham.
All this practising with a moving ball meant his dead ball skills went through the roof and he soon established himself as Manchester United's and then England's free kick specialist. His peers regard him the finest free kick taker in the world.
As David Beckham sets off on a new adventure both the L.A. Galaxy and arm chair fans will soon come to understand why we loved him so much and why we miss him already.
About The Author: Why not check us to find plenty more information about David Beckham playing soccer. David plays in midfield, check us to learn about the different soccer positions and what makes a world class midfielder. This and other unique content david beckham articles are available with free reprint rights.