If you play any sport, you want to be good at it. But there’s much more to it than just wanting to improve. You have to get out and try the things you’ve learned. Here you’ll get some advice to assist you the next time you play soccer.
Communicating is very important when you play with a team. You should indicate to others what your intentions are. Agree on a word you will use to communicate your intention to take the ball or to try scoring. You should also have a word you can use to ask for help.
Do not hold on to the ball for more than two touches. You are taking risks by taking the ball longer and will end up losing it, unless you are excellent. You can be more useful to your team by passing the ball over two touches. You can try getting the ball again.
Shielding is an important soccer skill. Practice with another person, and try dribbling the ball around in a square. Encourage the other person to try and take the ball away. To be successful, make sure that your body stays between your opponent and the ball. The more you practice, the better you will be in the game.
Confusing the opposition can help improve your game. For instance, look to dribble to the right, and then pass left. This may surprise your opponent, giving your teammates room to make a move. Those on your team might be surprised at first, but will come around to your style.
Learn to dribble effectively. To keep the ball in control at all times, keep the ball close to you and gently tap the ball using the inside and outside of your feet. Keep your eyes on the ball for best results and protect the ball by using your body to keep opponents away.
Develop stronger leg muscles. By developing strong leg muscles, you will not only be able to shoot harder, but you will also be able to protect yourself from many of the common soccer injuries such as a torn hamstring or torn achilles. Doing both strengthening and flexibility exercises will help protect your legs.
You should focus on moving the ball more than your own body. The ball has the potential to move much faster than you do. You need to conserve as much energy as you can in soccer in order to last through the game. You need your energy for bursts of speed when necessary to get down the field.
Analyze the game immediately following each game. Bring a notebook to the game and write down pertinent information such as how many shots you took, how many times you scored, how many went high and if you seem to always be shooting to one side or the other. By keeping a written record, you will begin to notice ways to improve your game.
The center of the field can often be packed, so you should be utilizing wing men on the sides of the playing field. However, you have to be careful of the area that is out of bounds. Once you use the wing men, you are able to push the ball back to the center in order to finish the play.
Practice your juggling skills at home with the soccer ball. Juggle off of your thigh once and catch the ball. Then, juggle twice and catch. Maintain your control, and keep repeating this process. Your game improves immensely as you get better at juggling. Anything like this you can do to help you control the ball better is important.
Learn how to receive a fast moving ball by developing soft receive footwork. This type of footwork cushions the blow when a ball is passed hard to you. By softening the blow, you can regain control of the ball quickly. If, however, you receive the ball with a stiff foot, the ball will generally be knocked further away from you.
One of the best things you can do to help prevent injuries is to buy the proper equipment that you will need to play soccer. This equipment includes soccer cleats that are fitted correctly to your feet. The best way to ensure that you are getting the proper size is to be fitted at a shoe store. The salesman will not only measure the length of your foot, he will also measure the width of your foot to ensure that you get the correct shoe for your type of foot.
When getting ready to play a soccer game, ensure that the soccer field is safe. Walk the field to make sure that there are no items that can cause players to trip and fall. Also, look for any holes that may cause players to twist their ankles. By ensuring the field is safe, you can help prevent unnecessary injuries.
After reviewing some good theoretical information on improving your soccer skills, what you’re ready for is a little bit of practical experience. Devote some effort to mastering a few new tricks that you can use to impress the people you play with. When you practice together, you boost your skills as a unit and you may even win that major game.
