Agility

"A sweetly hit free kick in soccer can hurtle through the air at 80 miles an hour. At that speed, the 16-ounce leather projectile strikes with about 5,000 pounds of force. "It's like supporting an SUV on your abs for a thousandth of a second,"says Louis Bloomfield.

"Tim Howard's job as goalkeeper is to react instantly to catch or block these cannonballs. The 6'3", 210-pound Howard plays in England's Premier League and has the best shot of any American at making the World Cup's All-Star team. The 31-year-old is on top of his game. "I'm constantly strengthening my core because that's what gives me the ability to react faster and the stability to control my body better."

"Howard's training focuses on speed, balance, and range of motion."

"Tim has to be able to shift his body weight and throw himself in any direction, without any preparation," says Steve Tashjian, fitness coach for Everton F.C., Howard's club team.