Athletes always want to get better at their sport. But just wanting to be a better player isn’t enough. You have to get out and try the things you’ve learned. Here are a few tricks and tips to assist you in being better at soccer.
Different levels of expertise require different levels of footwear. If you are a beginner, find plastic or synthetic cleats. You can invest in metal cleats if you are a more advanced player and need to get traction on different terrains.
Avoid colliding with other players at all costs. Watch where the other team is at all times. This helps you not lose possession and helps you to avoid those unwanted injuries.
Use the inside of the foot to kick the ball if you want to improve short pass accuracy. Long passes are best made with your foot at the front. Kicking in this way will allow you to drive a ball further if you need to.
Practice makes perfect and never lose an opportunity to take advantage of it. Take your ball with you everywhere you go, and do a drill or two whenever you have free time. Also, you can put the ball on the ground and just kick it as you move from place to place.
If the fields getting congested where you are, look for a wide-open teammate who you can pass off the ball to. The open player will have time to make a play before the defender gets to them, at which time they can pass back to you.
For a couple of plays, try to cross the ball the same way. Your opponents will begin to expect this play. Then, alter the approach quickly by crossing in the opposite direction. This could gain you a few seconds as they regroup to catch up.
Practicing and having patience are important things to have when working on your soccer skills. You can’t just expect to be good at soccer in one night. Take some time from your schedule and dedicate it to learning and practicing these difficult soccer techniques. Keep practicing no matter how tough the skills you are trying to learn are. Also, continue to practice skills you already have mastered, as all skills can be improved.
To get prepared to play soccer when the season comes around, in the off season you should increase your stamina by running long distance. Most soccer players run approximately 8 miles in each soccer game. By distance training, you will increase your stamina, resulting in the ability to play soccer for longer periods of time without a break.
To improve your dribbling skills, use a tennis ball to practice. Practicing with this little ball helps you get used to making constant adjustments with your feet to keep it in control. Once you have gotten comfortable doing this, a normal soccer ball will be much easier to dribble.
Play with better players. This will stretch your abilities and will help improve your skills. Ask what you can and learn from them. Since soccer is team-oriented, most players you encounter will be happy to help. If you cannot find someone to practice with, go to a local soccer game and ask some players if they will mentor you.
Pick the right soccer shoe for the field you will be playing on. If you’re playing on grass surface then you’re going to cleats that perform well on this type of field. Strong, permanent cleats are your best bet. Cleats are available in a number of patterns that allow your feet to firmly grip the ground.
While dribbling the ball, aim to move around all you can. Leaning right when going left can trick your opponent. Try to distract your opponents with your arms while you are making a play.
Now that you know what to do, go do it. Practice what you’ve learned, and then show your teammates. You can build better strategies and communication skills if you practice together.
