
Winning is what makes sports so exciting. However, you have to do more than just want to win. To become a great soccer player, the tips that follow will help. All you have to do is get your ball and put these tips into practice.
Make sure your cleats fit well. The cleats should have good arch support and fit snugly. You will also want to ensure that your ankles will move well. Remember, purchasing poorly fitting cleats can really hurt your feet, so choose carefully.
Don’t think that because you passed the soccer ball you cannot help with the play. Keep up with the action as you may see the ball soon come back to you. Good players know when to pass the ball back.
It is best to pass the ball as soon as a defender closes in on you. The ball should be kept for a long time so you’re able to advance past everyone safely so you can pass it off. The other player will then have a few seconds before defenders close in on them.
Try learning to do the trick the Outside Elastico. This is great for cutting into the center of the field after dribbling up the line. To begin practice, place a shoe, bag, or cone on the ground. Step approximately five steps behind it. Start by dribbling in the direction of the cone. When you start closing in on your cone, try taking a little touch outside and quickly touching the ball to the inside again. That outside touch will fool opponents. Remember that the second touch should be bigger than the first one.
Cross the ball to the same side for a few plays to establish a pattern. Defenders will notice this and come to expect it. Use this to your advantage by no longer passing the ball or passing it in the opposite direction.
Tennis Ball
You should use a tennis ball to practice your dribbling. Practicing with a small ball can help you get comfortable with making constant adjustments using your feet, and that helps you maintain control. Once you are comfortable dribbling a tennis ball, see how easy dribbling a soccer ball is.
Learn to use all of the surfaces on your foot when you play soccer. During fast dribbling, the instep and front of the foot are commonly used. Practice using both the outside and the inside of each foot to improve your dribbling skills. This technique enables you to direct the ball in a direction away from any defensive pressure and gives more control.
Try running three miles to stay in good cardiovascular shape. Because soccer is a sport that requires constant running, it is important that you are as physically fit as possible. Running just three miles a day will build your endurance immensely. Vary the locations that you run in to keep things interesting.
Take your soccer practice inside from time to time. Indoors will typically be a smaller field than you are used to. This will allow you to work on making quicker decisions and good ball control will be even more important. This will translate to better outdoor performance whenever you decide to play outdoors again.
Identify a pro player at the same position as you and watch their techniques. When you can imitate his techniques, you will better your game. If the pro you’re watching has a signature move, use them in your own games.
Learn things from your own errors. You might notice that when you dribble the soccer ball down the center of the field, defenders are able to take it from you. Watch how others dribble the ball and see what you are doing wrong. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Hopefully, you have learned a few new things to try out to improve your soccer skills. Learning a new skill is great, but it’s not perfect until you’ve practiced it enough to be proficient. Take time for practicing skills with your friends and sharing what you’ve learned so that you can create a nearly unbeatable team.