Soccer offers many benefits to those who play the game. In spite of that, many segments of society lack an even basic knowledge about the game. If you are one of those people, continue to read to learn more about soccer.

Try passing the ball when a defender is closing in on you. Maintain possession until you can safely pass it to a player. Be sure the person you are passing it to is ready to receive it.

Trick the opposition by repeating a few patterns. The defense will notice the pattern and wait for it. After this is done you can make the team get tricked by pretending to go one way and then going the other way.

To earn a spot on the soccer team, make sure your competitive spirit shows. You must never give up, run up and down the field, attack and defend, help your teammates, and show everyone an inspiring attitude. When you show the coach that you’re a team player and are good in your own right, it’s more likely that you’ll get chosen.

To increase your success with penalty kicks, practice these types of kicks after you’ve had a good team practice. This helps your brain realize it needs to focus on a penalty kick after a foul is called. Be sure to figure out a few techniques which work every time.

Use every surface of your foot during soccer play. When you’re dribbling fast, you will most likely be using the front and instep of your foot. Practice using both the outside and the inside of each foot to improve your dribbling skills. This will allow you to stay in control of the ball regardless of where you are facing defensive pressure.

Anyone who plays soccer will be healthier and happier when they get a chance to kick the ball around. Hopefully, you now feel like you understand the game of soccer a little better. By learning more about the game, you can give soccer a try and see if it is right for you.