Winning is what makes sports so exciting. If you want to win, you have to do more than simply wanting it. To really improve your soccer game, read the advice presented here. Then, take your ball and get out to practice.

Unless you’re in a prime position to attempt a shot on goal, you should not do so. If the field is not open, look for a team mate who is in a position to help you. Pass the ball to them rather than trying to make the goal yourself.

Just because you don’t have possession of the ball, doensn’t mean you aren’t still in play. Instead, trail the teammate you passed the ball to in order to find the best position for you to assist him. A good player will give you the ball back if they need help.

To confuse an opponent, dribble away from where you need to be going. The defender will start following you, and then you throw them off right away by changing sides and traveling the other way. You can easily get around a defender this way.

To increase stamina, do long distance runs while it is your off season. Statistics show that many soccer players will run about eight miles during every match. If your stamina is good, you will be able to play more efficiently and for longer periods of time.

If you are at center-field, watch what is happening at both ends of the field. Be prepared to get the ball from a player on one end and immediately get it transferred to the other. You need to know where defendants and open players are at all times.

Show your competitiveness during tryouts. Stay active and get involved in every aspect of the game. Display to the coach how devoted you are to soccer and your team will increase the chances you will get picked.

Penalty Kicks

Practice your penalty kicks when you train. This helps your brain think about the penalty kick after a foul occurs. Come up with some penalty kicks and keep practicing them until you feel confident.

Communicate with your teammates. You are more likely to be successful if you are able to talk, either verbally or non-verbally, to one another. Communication is crucial for all soccer teams, especially professional ones, because soccer is not a one-man team. Without proper communication, good teamwork cannot occur, and teamwork is crucial to winning.

Think like a team player, not an individual. The goals of the team need to be paramount, since the game cannot be one alone.

You must wear shoes that are appropriate for soccer. You can’t use football cleats or running shoes. By wearing improper shoes while playing, you could cause injury to yourself or others while playing.

You need to run for three miles a day to develop your cardio. Because soccer is a sport that requires constant running, it is important that you are as physically fit as possible. By getting a three mile run in each day, you’ll have a lot more stamina and endurance. Try running in different locations to keep your routine from growing old and stale.

Hopefully, all that you’ve read here has given you great ways to improve your game. Though finding out about new skills is great, you have to practice them as well. Get a group of friends together to practice your skills then go play a game against another team.