This article is geared towards anyone who loves soccer. Of course you want to know how you can become a better player, and there are many things to learn. Read on to learn some new tricks and skills to help you reach the next level.

Never assume the play is over after you have passed the ball to a team member. Follow the teammate you passed to, and attempt to put yourself in a position to help. If he or she needs help, they can pass the ball to you.

Your first move should always be to pass. Keep it safe and then advance it to a teammate. That player will be able to maintain possession for some time prior to the defenders closing in on them.

Use the inside of the foot to kick the ball for short passing. When making a long pass, use the laces of your shoe to strike the ball. This approach on kicking will help you increase the distance you can kick the ball down field.

Always find ways to shock the other team. Skilled soccer players will be able to quickly spot plays you are doing, and if you do the same plays over and over again, they will predict them every time. Keep the other team on their toes by making unexpected but effective moves, like kicking the ball behind you, when you are in danger of losing the ball.

If you would like to be a good soccer player, you need to keep your body fit. If you gain a lot of weight, the games are going to be tougher on you. Eat right, exercise and keep yourself healthy.

You have to wear the correct shoes when playing soccer. Tennis shoes and football cleats are not acceptable at all. If you wear the wrong shoes there is a chance that you may end up hurting yourself or causing injury to another player.

Never underestimate your opponent; overconfidence is a mistake. Although you may possess great skills, you never know what may happen on the field. Believing you are untouchable and can’t be defeated leads to carelessness and will eventually affect your success.

Learn to kick the ball with your weaker foot. Many people can only shoot with one shot and must switch their position to kick with their stronger foot. This allows the other team an opportunity to steal the ball from you. By learning how to kick with both of your feet, you can avoid this costly mistake.

Be confident in your moves. It’s hard to get over hesitation. Be offensive at all times. When you have the ball, you need to focus on the best way to reach the goal in the least amount of time.

You can become a good soccer player by learning from past mistakes. Tape your games and watch the videos with your team later. This is a good way to notice the mistakes you made and look for ways to correct them. For instance, you might see that you’re not passing that well.

Use your weak foot during practices. You want to take time to strengthen that weaker foot. Practice using your weak side for both short passes and long crosses. If you can perform with either foot, your options are doubled and your skills will be desired.

Becoming even better at soccer starts with finding good information. From there, it must become useful practice and training. Incorporate the wisdom from this article to become a better and more skilled soccer player. Keep learning all you can so you can always play your best.