Do you play for a school soccer team? Perhaps you just like to go out there on the field and mess around with your friends. Maybe you aspire to be the next great soccer player. No matter what, soccer is fun, and it takes skill in order to become a better player. Try out this advice on for size as you learn more about soccer.
If you have the ball and you see open space, move toward it. You want to bring a defender in toward you, so that the field opens up for one of your teammates. As the defender gets closer, pass the ball to someone who is in a better position than you. Hopefully, they will score!
Learn how to freeze a defender. Doing this causes the defender that’s coming after you to stop in their tracks to figure out your next move, which gives you time to maneuver around the field. To do this, act like you’re going for a long kick or shot just before they reach you. If done correctly, they’ll either turn to a side to cease the fake motion or freeze to see what you’re doing next.
If you are interested in learning how to cross the ball with better precision, watch some footage of the professionals. David Beckham, in particular, is very skilled in this area. No matter what you do, though, make sure that you do not loft the ball. It is important to pass with precision.
Strength training is an important part of any soccer players practice. For effective strength training concentrate on your thigh and calf muscles along with your core muscles. Core muscles help you maintain balance while your thigh and calf muscles help you kick harder and farther than opponents who do not strength train.
It is important that you keep in mind that soccer is a team effort. While it can be quite tempting to work on making goals all on your own, you need to work on passing the ball to others. This will make them feel more friendly toward you, and increase the chances they will return the favor.
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.
It is very important that you eat a light meal before playing soccer, but make sure that you eat something that is not very heavy. You meal should contain a lot of carbs and it should be eaten a couple of hours prior to you heading out on the field to play.
Understand that improving your soccer skills will take time and hard work. You will not significantly improve your skills in a week or two. The best soccer players understand that they must continue to practice for weeks and months before any large improvements arise. However, with enough persistence, you will get better.
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.
It is time for you to bring the advice you’ve read out onto the field. You also need to keep learning more about this great sport. There is no cap to the skills you can learn and use, so get out there and enjoy the game you love to play.
