Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Any Soccer Player

I've seen and read several "Top 10" lists, which are well and good for any novice soccer player. But the players I know and associate with would rather have somebody put a well-intentioned cleat to their skull than actually watch "GOAL: The Dream Begins," which is about as useful to a real soccer player as "Kicking and Screaming" is a legitimate soccer player's movie. I mean, "Iron" Mike Ditka, the famed football coach, is the centerpiece of "Kicking", for Chrissakes!!!

If you want a real soccer movie replete with actual story line, plot and unreal talent pool, go rent "Victory." Or better yet, watch "Once in a Lifetime," the New York Cosmos documentary from ESPN. Because if you really want to see where American soccer is headed in the next 10 years, then that documentary will provide all soccer moms and novice players with a Cliffs Notes of Major League Soccer in 2010. Without further adieu then, my top 10 Xmas gifts for any soccer player, and price is not an object.

1. The David Beckham USA Soccer Camp in Los Angeles

If any soccer player actually told me that they would rather not attend this one-week camp held every summer in L.A., I would tell them to have their head examined. Though "Becks" is more known for his metrosexuality, flashy wardrobe and escapades in the tabloids with wife Victoria Adams, also known as "Posh Spice", the fact is the man played for Manchester United (you know, the team Freddy Adu just tried out for and probably didn't make...), is playing at Real Madrid (though the role is diminished) and was a team captain for England for nearly a decade.

So he knows a little something about being a leader and getting the most out of people. His camp is no different; what makes this camp different from other "camps" is that he and his staff will actually identify your strengths and weaknesses through a battery of preliminary tests and TRY TO FIX THEM! Novel concept at that, yet from the soccer people I've talked to the camp is worth every bit its steep $350 price tag. The only comparable camp is the IMG Soccer Camp in Florida, which is actually the place where DeMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan crafted their skills at an early age. Soccer camps are big business and the Beckham camp is fast becoming one of the best. With a first-class coaching staff and world-class instruction, it is now the must-do camp in the U.S. With the news that Beckham may be headed to L.A. and that Beck's old club Manchester United and the Glazer family may be contemplating a buyout of the L.A. Galaxy of MLS, the camp and that news is all the better.

2. Anything from the Nike Mercurial collection

Not too many collections can actually start a movement, yet this one most definitely has done just that. With the "Joga Bonito" movement geared toward a hybrid of street soccer with its roots in Futsal, individuality in the sport is at an all-time high and hundreds of thousands of children, including my players, have taken to the streets in search of becoming the next Ronaldinho, the Brazilian superstar and FC Barcelona midfielder who wows crowds with his uncanny technical ability on the ball. Ronaldinho attributes this to his Futsal background and the kids understand. With the flashy gold, silver and white emblems, the Mercurial collection is known for its lightweight, simple but sophisticated lines and its highly coveted though expensive cleats and soccer balls. Simply put, this collection helps teach kids to play beautiful, as the "Joga Bonito" motto indicates.

3. The Adidas TUNIT soccer shoe system

Though the TUNIT system pales in comparison to a collection that actually started a movement in the soccer community, the Adidas TUNIT system has given soccer players the freedom to change their boots on the fly. Players now have the ability to change their boots from a turf cleat, if so desired, to a soft-ground boot and actually wear the same upper and sole, if necessary. With many different types of cleats to choose from, Adidas has actually found a way for the serious soccer player to adapt their game to the environment. The only problem is, they're not cheap (ranging anywhere from $200 to $350, depending on the style preferred). But they're well worth every penny, according to the players on my team wearing them.

4. "Victory" (1981, Sylvester Stallone, Pele), WarnerBrothers.

Perhaps among the greatest of all soccer movies, this classic stars more than a handful of greats and an interesting plot and story line. Though Sly Stallone is the centerpiece for this classic, the real action comes when countless soccer stars, including Pele, Bobby Moore and others, take to the pitch. Before they take to the pitch, however, you can actually watch them in training sessions and see for yourself the quality of play, which doesn't look at all choreographed compared to "Kicking and Screaming." There is a quality to this movie that can never be replicated, not even in a quality soccer movie like "Bend it Like Beckham." Perhaps it's because some of the greatest players to have ever played the world's game are taking part; perhaps it's because the movie does not lie (Stallone plays goalkeeper and does not profess to be a great player to his colleagues) and perhaps it's because of the first time I saw the bicycle kick sequence, in which Pele executes the difficult maneuver flawlessly in slow motion. That scene still brings tears to my eyes, even after all these years.

5. The TactFOOT system

Available on the Internet at tactFOOT.com, this innovative system helps coaches and players to learn the game visually without reading books, which is the best way, according to industry experts. Instead of the tried-and-true study method it allows communication via the Internet and is updated frequently. It is the most recent wave of teaching techniques on the market, and even UEFA, Europe's governing body of soccer, has endorsed it for its training programs. For the novice coach, setting up practices has never been easier. For $160 any coach can get started and aim to become the next Sir Alex Ferguson. The system allows total autonomy in setting up drills and exercises. For the player the entire set may be viewed at $25 and a team of 16 can get it for $500.

6. Under Armour accessories

No one (and I mean NO ONE) has cornered the market quite like Under Armour when it comes to blanket comfort. In an area of expertise that was once cornered by companies that catered more to deer hunters and fishermen, this company has slapped every other company square in the face and dared them to compete at the same level. And what's hard not to like about the clothing? Under Armour is adaptable in any weather condition and can range from Cold Gear (a Lycra-based tanktop) to HeatGear (a long-sleeved shirt). But wait, there's more! You can actually purchase a short-sleeved ColdGear shirt that will, potentially, keep your arms just as warm as one that is long-sleeved. And the same goes for HeatGear, which also features mock turtlenecks. And the latest pieces to the UA puzzle are the Blitz Compression shirts, which with its seam-free shoulders are aimed to "maximize mobility while keeping players cool and dry." Couldn't have said it better myself.

7. Gift cards

When you don't really know what the soccer player on your list wants, don't try to second-guess them. Just leave it to the experts themselves, the players. And in the end, they'll love you for it (and they won't need to return your gift, no matter how well-intentioned the gift.) Available at Eurosport or soccer.com.

8. Replica gear

Nothing says "I love you" to a soccer player than getting him or her a jersey (or training suit if you prefer to go all-out) of their favorite team or club for the holidays. Whether they dig the flamboyance of Real Madrid or the plain red Manchester United, both Adidas and Nike have their brands on roughly half the teams in the world and quite possibly most of the top names. Prices range from $30 on up and some training suits are as much as $150. But the price of fame does not come cheap.

9. Ball (ANY BALL)

This gift may be highly overrated to some, but to a soccer player it is a must. It is like a diver not having enough water to dive in; it is like you walking naked down the middle of a busy street. Had enough analogies for one day? Well give the player on your list something that will truly last a few weeks (until the ball pops or gets lost or stolen). Buy him or her a ball and any ball will do.

10. Socks

Again this is not a highly subjective item. Players need socks for their cleats so as to hold in place their shinguards. If you don't you are truly an idiot and deserve all of the shin splints or purple bruises that may come your way as a result of your genius. You can pick up a pair of socks at any soccer specialty or sporting goods store for anywhere from $3 to $15, the higher end being Nike or Adidas. While tube socks work in some cases (for example, let's say you're just playing at a city park) they usually won't stand up as well as, say, SOCCER SOCKS, so break down and get your loved one a pair today. They'll be glad you did.