It is that time of year again to get out those shin pads and cleats, dust off those long socks, and get ready to run, dribble, and score.

The last day to sign up for the fall soccer program through the Andover Recreation Department is Wednesday, August 13. The Andover Soccer Director, Heidi Murphy, will be at Blackwater Park from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for anyone who would like to sign up for the fall program. If you wish to come and kick around a ball or two to get your kicking legs ready, feel free to stop by.

If you would rather mail the registrations for your young players, feel free to contact Heidi at AndoverRecSoccer@nullgmail.com, and she can send you the proper paperwork.

The Merrimack Valley Soccer League consists of 18 towns from around the central New Hampshire area. This year, our goal in Andover is to have enough girls and boys to have separate teams for each level.

Michelle Dudek will be coaching the first and second graders. Claudio Marcus will be coaching the fifth and sixth grade girls, while Robert Koziol will be coaching the fifth and sixth grade boys.

We are still looking for anyone interested in coaching the third and fourth grade teams! Please call Heidi at 735-4494 if you are interested.

We also have opportunities for anyone, seventh and eighth graders included, who would be willing to referee the games. The games are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting on Tuesday, September 2, and continuing through Saturday, October 11.

Did you know? US Midfielder Michael Bradley ran an average of about 8.5 miles per game during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Tournament. The average World Cup soccer player ran approximately 7 miles per game. (Information taken from USNews.com.) That is a lot of running!!

August Soccer Tip: Shielding a ball is often overlooked as a skill to learn. Shielding means not letting another player take the ball from you.

Always keep your body between the ball and the person who is trying to take it. To practice, you will need two people. While you are dribbling, have your partner try to take the ball from you. Put yourself between the ball and your partner. Continue to dribble the ball with the inside and outside of your foot. Switch roles.

Have fun, and stay hydrated.