If soccer is something you’d like to learn about, then this is the best place to be. Your love for the game has also inspired you to learn more about it, which is wonderful. Keep reading to find tips on how you can improve your game.
Practice protecting the soccer ball from opponents. Use your body as a barrier between the ball and your opponent. Keep control of the ball by kicking it with the inside of your foot. While practicing, try dribbling the ball in a square while your opponent tries to get it away from you.
Learn how to perform a simple Outside Elastico. When you find yourself on the flanks, doing this will get you to cut inside. Start by putting a cone on the ground. Get away from the cone about five steps away. Dribble towards it. Once you come near the cone, touch the ball on the outside and then inside as quickly as possible. Outside touching is the move that fools opponents. Keep in mind that your second touch needs to be bigger then your first one.
You can usually make a defender freeze for a few seconds by faking a shot. If you see a defender closing in on you, posture yourself as if you were about to kick the ball and make a long pass. The defender should stop and anticipate the pass you are faking.
Soccer is a sport for teams, and should involve everyone on the field. Don’t become selfish or forget this while playing. If you don’t play as a team, it will not benefit you. It’s a team game and you must always remember that. If you focus more on teamwork rather than personal glory, your chances for success increase.
You need to make decisions quickly when you play. If you hesitate for a second, you are taking the risk to lose the ball. Making fast decisions will become easier as you practice and get to know the players on your team. Always scan the field to see what other players are doing even if you do not have the ball.
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.
The “press” is very important when preventing your opponent from moving down the field. You want to make your opponent feel uncomfortable when receiving the ball, perhaps even facing backwards. However, be careful when pressing not to commit a foul, or else you will not be helping out the team.
Develop a strong core. By strengthening your abdominal and back muscles, you will increase your range of motion. This will result in better control of all of your extremities. To help you develop a strong set of core muscles, you must incorporate strength training exercises into your daily fitness routine.
You can learn a lot by watching professional soccer matches. You’ll get a good grip on the rules and how the game is played. It’s obviously no replacement for real practice, but it provides the necessary ideas that you should consider while practicing.
Confidence is developed by hard work. This means quality work is done during practice. Another way to help build confidence in the team is to use visualization techniques of actually winning a game, scoring the the winning goal and effectively blocking passes. By learning how to think great and believing in yourself, you can develop a confidence both on and off the field.
As a soccer player, you need a good exercise regimen on the side of your regular practice and playing time. Core strengthening exercises are ideal, and can help you prepare for the hits you’re going to take to your stomach at times. These exercises also help with your stamina to keep moving vs feeling tired and in pain.
Speak with parents and ask that they get soccer balls to bring to practice. Therefore, every single player will be able to practice their skills at home. Make sure your team has a few additional balls during practice to make sure everyone can do the drills. To make sure this isn’t going to happen a lot, make all the players that forget a ball to run a few plays on passing.
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.
How are you feeling now that you read all of that? Did you find the information useful? You should get started now! Put this advice to use by getting out there and playing. There is more for you to find out, so keep practicing and keep your mind open.
