Soccer is just like any other sport when it comes to the basics. You need a foundation of dedication, determination and lots of practice. But it also takes skill, so here are some tricks for you to master. Read up on ways to become a better player and then take to the field and show what you have learned.
Do not hesitate to ask for the ball if you feel like you are in a good position. Some players tend to focus entirely on what is directly in front of them and forget to keep tack of where their team mates are. Draw their attention by waving your arms or asking for the ball.
When you see a teammate in a good position, pass the ball quickly. After your pass, get yourself into good field position. Get in front of blockers so that your teammate can easily pass the ball back to you or to another teammate who is in a better position.
Make some firm passes if you want to get a reaction from other players. Firm passes are easier to control and let other players know that it is time to take action. A soft pass is a good way to draw a player into the game but is too risky if you are under pressure.
Don’t be the soccer mom who makes all the other parents cringe and all of your child’s teammates ridicule him or her at school. Support the decisions of the referee and do not shout instructions from the sidelines or run out onto the playing field to consult with the ref or instruct your child.
To perform at the highest level on the field you need to be properly hydrated. Begin to increase your intake of fluids 24 hours before your match. You can’t consume enough water during the match to replace all the fluids you lose while playing, so you need to get a head start.
Throw off a defender by dribbling opposite of your intended direction. They’ll follow you in that direction and you will throw them off when you go the opposite way. You can easily get around a defender this way.
Try practicing with soccer players who have better skills than you. Although it is more fun to be the best player on the field, this is not challenging you to improve. By playing with better soccer players, you will be more challenged to improve your skills. Therefore, put your ego aside and challenge yourself.
You should ensure you are constantly practicing your dribbling skills. Dribbling a soccer ball is the main fundamental in soccer, much like dribbling a basketball is the main fundamental in basketball. Therefore, you should be constantly dribbling a soccer ball anytime you can. Dribble down your neighborhood, in your yard, or in your home, alternating feet every time.
If you are a parent or coach, never scream anything at a player while they have control of the ball. This may distract them and make them fumble a bit. The best thing to do is to allow them to make the pay, then encourage them to do better if it was not done well.
When it comes to soccer, it is vital that you know how to properly communicate with your teammates. Soccer is certainly not a one-man show. It requires proper teamwork in order to win, and good teamwork requires great communication. Therefore, make sure you and your teammates practice ways to better communicate with one another.
Make sure you take full advantage of every second you spend on the field to improve your soccer playing technique. Don’t waste time during training. You are there to work on your technique, train, and make practice. Maximize your time by resisting the tendency to use training time socializing and playing around.
Blocking the ball can be done in a variety of ways, and you must be okay with placing yourself in front of the ball. Sure, you might take some hits from time to time, but you cannot be scared. Block the ball with your chest, back, or foot. And, use your foot against an opponent to help block and jockey the ball away from the goal. This gets your opponent moving the ball in a different direction.
Have fun. First and foremost, if you want to become good at soccer, you need to enjoy playing. Professional soccer players don’t get to where they are by forcing themselves to do something they hate. They take a love of the game and use it as a foundation to build into a career.
If an infraction happens inside a team’s penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded. During this kick, the ball is placed twelve yards from the goal and it is defended by only the goalie. A penalty kick is awarded when a person fouls another player inside the fouling players penalty area.
Now you have gained some valuable knowledge on how to become a better soccer player. But just reading about it isn’t enough. You need to put that knowledge into action and start mastering those skills today. So grab your soccer ball and a good buddy and get out there and start practicing today.
