Finding your way into the world of soccer can be such a great experience. You surely enjoy the sport, or you wouldn’t be reading this article. To improve your game, you must learn about the skills needed to play. Read this post to really become the best soccer player that you can be.
Avoid going to the goal with the ball unless you’re in the right position. If the field is not open, look for a team mate who is in a position to help you. The sooner you pass it to them, the better the chances of making it to the goal.
The cleats you use will depend on your ability. Beginning players should purchase cleats made from plastic or other synthetic materials. You can invest in metal cleats if you are a more advanced player and need to get traction on different terrains.
You have to know where the ball is all the time. It’s a quick game with lighting fast passing and if you turn your head you could miss a really great pass. Goals due to lack of awareness can cost you the game.
Do not skip practices. Try to keep your ball with you at all times, this way if you find yourself with a few minutes to spare, you can perform a few drills. Even walking with the ball in front of you is good practice.
Throw off a defender when you dribble in a direction that you have no intention of really going to. The defender will pursue and you can get them discombobulated by quickly changing what you’re doing and going in an entirely new direction. This technique is used to bypass defenders.
Lofting a ball is hard to control. Pass low to ensure defenders can’t interfere. Lofted balls will work for long distances.
If you are located in mid-field, notice what is happening on both ends. In this position you should be aware that the ball can come to you from one area and you must quickly get it to the opposite side. You need to figure out where people are defending and who is open all the time.
Fitness is key to playing soccer well. Too much weight can cause the game to be more difficult. Monitor your diet carefully at all times.
It is necessary for you wear the right shoes when you are out on the soccer field. Football cleats or tennis shoes are absolutely not acceptable. You can hurt yourself by wearing the wrong shoes.
Indoor Soccer
Look to play some indoor soccer every so often. Indoor soccer fields are smaller than outdoor ones. This means you will need to improve your control of the ball and make quicker decisions. When outdoors, this will be noticeable and your skills will be even more beneficial for the team.
If you play in the mud, you need well-gripping shoes that can handle slippery situations. Professional players often use removable cleats for these situations. Wear wide cleats during times when the field is wet. In this type of situation two cleats are placed on the heel and four are placed in the midsole.
It is important that you are able to properly kick a soccer ball. There’s more to it than just the kick. If you want the ball to go high, kick its bottom. Your foot should be utilized like a wedge so you can get underneath the ball and try to kick it up while you lean backwards.
If you are a coach of a soccer team, talk to the parents to see if they will buy a soccer ball that will be used exclusively for practice. This way, each player will have a practice ball they can then take home with them. Make sure you carry some extra soccer balls during practice if a player accidentally forgets to bring his ball. Try having the forgetful players run laps when they do not bring their ball.
Practice using your non-dominant foot. You can strengthen this foot by practicing as much as possible. Use a wall to practice passing on. Players that can use both feet extremely well are not only rare but needed.
Peripheral Vision
Your peripheral vision should be developed. Peripheral vision is something you can train with and is what you need to use to be sure you’re watching the field and the ball. The idea is not to concentrate on the ball itself, but on a point somewhere between yourself and the actual ball.
There are a variety of different shin guard types on the market. You have to know that the material’s quality is important because that shows how protective it is. Polyurethane shin guards offer better protection than plastic ones. Prices and levels of protection tend to rise in tandem. Plastic shin guards should only be worn by small children. The older and stronger the soccer player is, the better their protection should be.
Get out there and put what you have learned into practice today. Keep in mind that you need to be dedicated and you have to practice. Remember what you’ve read here to improve your game and to become a more efficient player.