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.

Remember that you have a role on the team, whether you are a natural play maker or not. Some people simply make things happen on the field. If you do not have that talent, you can act as a support to those that have different skills than you do. Figure out what your role is and play to your strengths.

Try to avoid contact with other players when the ball is in your possession. Being able to predict where they are going ahead of time, will keep you from making contact. This will help you keep the ball and reduces injuries.

Rushing to the goal is very tempting but you need to make sure you have some backup first. Do not mount an attack unless you have at least one player on each side. You need to save the ball with a quick pass to one side in case too many defenders close in on you.

If you are playing goalie, talk to your defensive players, particularly during corner attacks. If you see an attacker to the side of your goal, your best possible position is against the actual post, standing as tall as you can. Make sure a defender is covering any center area, just in case.

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.

If you are kicking the ball and you notice someone running towards you, do not panic. There is a very simple method of avoiding them. First, kick the ball to one side of your body. Once you do this, quickly kick the ball to the other side. If you do this fast enough, you will avoid your opponent and be ahead of them. As a result, you will be better prepared to score.

Develop stronger leg muscles. By developing strong leg muscles, you will not only be able to shoot harder, but you will also be able to protect yourself from many of the common soccer injuries such as a torn hamstring or torn achilles. Doing both strengthening and flexibility exercises will help protect your legs.

Practicing shooting with your non-dominant foot. Lots of people only concentrate on using their strongest foot, but that can pose a problem because your opponent will know this and steal the ball from you. Learning how to use both feet for shooting makes you a better player and asset to the team.

Make sure you keep a combative spirit about your play. You want to show your coach that you have the right attitude in order to help defend and help your team score without giving up. If you desire to have a spot on the main team, this is key to your success.

Many times, a soccer player has a range of emotions. They might think they’re a winner, loser, or both. When you can release your anxiety, you can boost your confidence. Many times this confidence can mean the difference between winning a game and losing a game.

When choosing shin guards, opt for ones that are washable. If your shin guards are not washable, at least ensure that they can be hand washed. Shin guards collect sweat and bacteria and should be washed following each game. Wash and dry following the directions on the shin guards.

Become more active if you want to improve your game. Use your energy to work intensely as you train and play. Hold nothing back in your quest to excel. You will be rewarded as you shut down your opposition. The more energy you exert, the higher the reward will be.

Be supportive of all your other teammates. Do not reign in your efforts because you’re not the one with the ball. That’s the time to step it up. Communicate with others, and it will pay off for you. Stay involved regardless of who is about to score the next goal.

As players get more experience with the game of soccer, they will begin to learn new handling skills. One in particular is headers. This is when the ball is bounced off of the head. Make sure that the ball is only making contact with the forehead. This will help decrease the chances of concussions.

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.