Every soccer player dreams of becoming the best. This information will help you learn new skills. Read on to help improve your skills so you can help your team.

Don’t let yourself hit another player. Always try to anticipate your opponent’s position to prevent contact. This lets you keep the ball and greatly reduces your possibility of an injury.

Once you have a defender closing in on you, it is time to pass the soccer ball. Maintain possession until you can safely pass it to a player. This player will have a short amount of time before defenders get to him.

Always look for times to practice. Take your ball with you everywhere you go, and do a drill or two whenever you have free time. Also, you can put the ball on the ground and just kick it as you move from place to place.

You should look for ways to surprise the other team. Players will be able to predict your plays if you establish a pattern. 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.

Set your pattern by sending the ball in a similar direction for a couple of plays. You will lull the defense into thinking you will always play the same way. After this is done you can make the team get tricked by pretending to go one way and then going the other way.

Understand that the game of soccer requires proper teamwork. Remember this. If you don’t play as a team, it will not benefit you. The team is the key to winning in soccer. Your team wins when you sacrifice your own game for the good of your overall team.

Long-distance running can help build your stamina. Soccer players usually run about eight miles during a game. By completing lots of distance runs, your stamina will grow, making you a much better player during games.

When you play in a game, you must maintain good communication with teammates. You will all work better as a solid team if you communicate on the field. Communication works best at every level of soccer, even at the professional level.

Don’t get cocky during a soccer match. Great players can still make mistakes. If you play like you’re the king of the hill, someone just might take you down.

Stay in excellent cardiovascular condition by running three miles every day. You have to have good cardio fitnes, as soccer requires continuous running. You will increase both your stamina and endurance if you run at least three miles daily. To keep your routine from become boring, choose different locations in which to run.

Use this knowledge when playing soccer. The tips here will help you out immensely. Consider everything you now know, and continue to work on your team effort as well as your individual skills. And remember, always have a good time!