As popular as the sport is, it’s not surprising that so many people want to know more about the game of soccer. In order to be a better player or spectator, you should learn all you can. This article is chock full of great tips to make you a better player.
Your proficiency at the game of soccer should dictate the type of shoe cleats you purchase. Beginners should seek out plastic and synthetic materials for their cleats. More advanced players will prefer metal cleats that screw in since they are useful on a variety of grasses and terrain.
To make the transition from receiving the ball to directing it more fluid, don’t trap or stop the ball completely. Instead, as the ball approaches, aim to make contact with the top or middle of the ball then tap it in the direction you want it to go and continue to maneuver down the field.
The part of the ball you kick is crucial in soccer. If you kick too high on the ball, it is not going to go very far. On the other hand, kicking the bottom of the ball will just make it go high in the air. It is best to aim for the middle.
An important skill to become familiar with is called the “Outside Elastico.” When you are at the flanks, this move can help transition to an inside cut. Using a cone to represent an opponent is a good way to practice. Your starting position should be about five paces behind the marker. Start by dribbling in the direction of the cone. As you get closer to the cone, touch the ball outside and quickly back inside. Touching the ball outside tricks the other players. The inside touch should be slightly harder than the outside touch.
Don’t be the soccer mom who makes all the other parents cringe and all of your child’s teammates ridicule him or her at school. Support the decisions of the referee and do not shout instructions from the sidelines or run out onto the playing field to consult with the ref or instruct your child.
Always have a plan for what you will do with the ball when it is passed to you. Anticipate the best move, whether it is a short or long pass, or a shot at the goal. Do not be obvious about the moves you will make. The element of surprise is important to keeping the ball protected.
Make sure that you stretch both before and after a soccer game or practice. Running up and down the field combined with kicking the ball, can put a lot of stress on your muscles. Stretching can help you to avoid injuries on the field while you are playing and prevent you from being sore after the game.
When passing the ball make sure that your heel is down and your toes are pointed upward. This allows you to use your foot like a putter. By practicing this technique often, it will soon come naturally when it is time to pass the ball to a teammate during an actual game.
There are three essential skills all soccer players must master. They are dribbling, shooting and passing. These skills can not be developed overnight. They require many hours of practice. By doing drills from a stationary position, a beginner can begin developing these three must-have skills. As a player becomes more proficient in these drills, add in some motion.
Make sure you are juggling the ball frequently so that you can improve your ball-handling skills. Juggling a soccer ball requires a lot of precision, and the only way to improve at this is practicing regularly. In addition, you should try improving other skills while juggling, such as passing, shooting, and trapping. For instance, juggle the ball some and then shoot the ball without allowing the ball to touch the ground.
If you are a parent or coach, never scream anything at a player while they have control of the ball. This may distract them and make them fumble a bit. The best thing to do is to allow them to make the pay, then encourage them to do better if it was not done well.
When shooting the soccer ball, use only the front part of your foot. If you use your toes or the inside or outside of your shoes, your shot will not be as powerful or as directed as it should be. Practice this shooting technique until it becomes second nature.
Instead of only training with your strong foot, give both of your feet just as much attention. By training both feet equally, you can develop into a more versatile soccer player. You can play different pitch sides, shield the ball a lot better and cut in any direction that you want.
There is no sport quite as beloved around the world as soccer. However, it’s not well understood or easily mastered by most. Hopefully the advice above will help you to become even more invested and happy with the game of soccer.
