Would you like to know more about the game of soccer? Learning to play soccer involves practice as well as passion. Read on to further your knowledge of the game and how to improve it.

Do not attempt to take the ball into the goal if you not not in an optimal position. Look for someone to help you if you see the field isn’t open. Pass the ball to them rather than trying to make the goal yourself.

Think about how experienced you are in soccer before buying cleats. If you are just beginning, synthetic or plastic cleats should suffice. Advanced players generally prefer screw-in cleat because they can be changed out depending on the type of soccer field you will be playing on.

It may be pretty obvious, but you must keep your eye on the ball at all times. The game is really quick and the ball is able to cross the field quite quickly if you’re not paying attention. Losing track of the soccer ball can risk the other team getting a chance to score a goal.

Do not skip practices. Keep your soccer with you at all times. That way, you can practice whenever you have some free time. In addition, you can dribble the ball anytime you are walking.

Figure out surprise plays. Good soccer players will be able to anticipate your moves. Mix-up the game and send the ball to different spots on the field to keep the opponent guessing.

To increase stamina, do long distance runs while it is your off season. Soccer players generally run 6 to 8 miles during a soccer game. If your stamina is good, you will be able to play more efficiently and for longer periods of time.

Practice your penalty kicking on a regular basis after training. This will help you learn about the penalty kick. Developing kicks that you can use as penalty kicks will pay off big time down the road.

While confidence is important, being overconfident is bad and will hurt your game. You may think that you’re great, but the unexpected can happen. When you have the mindset that you’re the best, the smallest surprise can turn into a big problem.

Wearing the correct soccer shoes is important to prevent injuries on the field. A good example would be the type of shoe adequate for playing on a grass field. In this case, cleats should be worn for good traction. If you’re playing outdoors the shoes are usually permanent and firm cleats. Cleats come in all sorts of patterns, so test them out for yourself.

If the soccer field is going to be muddy, you need a cleat that can give you traction in the mud. Many professional soccer players use soft removable cleats to deal with situations like these. When it’s wet and muddy, use wider cleats. When dealing with this situation both cleats will be on the heels of the shoes and four are in the middle of the sole.

Kick the ball the right way. There is more to kicking a soccer ball than just simply kicking it. Kick the ball at the bottom to put it high up in the air. Wedge your foot beneath the ball and lean back.

Triangulate to break up tight defenses. Association is key, passing the ball quickly between your teammates in order to promote confusion among your opponent. In order to move the ball down a tight field, it is important that your whole team work together. Stay aware of teammates trying to do it as well.

If you want to win, you have to have the right mindset. You need the confidence of a winner on the field before you will actually help win any games with your team. Keeping a positive attitude and cheering your team on will help your team succeed.

It is important that your properly care for your goalie gloves. Start by placing the gloves inside of some warm water that also has a bit of soap in it. Keep them there for 60 minutes. Then, rinse them until your water runs clear. Dry them palm-side down.

Use your weak foot to kick. This will help strengthen this foot. You can practice with your less dominant foot when practicing alone or with a friend. The best players are able to control the ball successfully with either foot.

Sprinting properly is very important when it comes to soccer. You should only sprint after you have properly warmed up. Once you’ve warmed up, run at top speed for half a minute. Give yourself a rest then repeat after 30 seconds. Do it again and again until you have used up about 15 minutes of time.

Given your new information, you ought to be prepared to get to work. Get out there and show everyone what you have learned. It can be difficult to become better at soccer, but it’s also really fun!