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.
It is against the rules to use any part of your hands or arms, from shoulder to fingertips, to control a soccer ball that is in play. You can use your feet, knees, thighs, stomach, chest and head. Be careful though. A head shot can hurt and you cannot control the ball well with your knees.
Switch the ball from one side to the other if you are trying to get away from a defender. Kick the ball with the inside of your foot and try gaining speed so you can escape the defender. Shield the ball with your body if the defender catches up to you.
If you are facing a defender, try getting past them instead of simply holding the ball. You can hold the ball for a while by shielding it with your body and passing it from one foot to the other but you will eventually have to attack and get past the defender.
When teaching your kids how to play soccer, make sure they learn how to dribble. Many learn by simply kicking the ball ahead and chasing after it, but this doesn’t provide any control and allow the opponent to steal it. Have them run slow and use different parts of their feet to maintain the ball in front of them. Teach them to stop it on one spot with a gentle tap down on the top of the ball when dribbling to set it up for a pass.
When playing soccer, the ability to surprise the opposition comes in quite handy. For instance, look to dribble to the right, and then pass left. This can help to confuse the other teams players. It can take a little time to get a rhythm going with your team.
When kicking a long kick to a teammate, approach the ball at a 35 degree angle. This allows you to fully use your kicking leg at full force. Use your arms to help you keep your balance while placing your non kicking foot directly beside the ball. Keep the ball close to the ground for best results.
While individual goals are important when playing soccer, always remember the goals of the team. With the full team on board, a soccer game can be a successful one. This is why team goals matter, and they should be a priority for you.
Learn to react quickly. Soccer can be challenging for anyone who is not properly conditioned. By learning how to react quickly, you can make the shot before the goalie has time to think about getting into position to block the shot. This can result in many extra scores during a game.
Become a more skilled decision maker by practicing set plays. As an example, you could practice corner kicks or direct shots with those on your soccer team. By practicing these types of plays on a regular basis, you will better be able to decide which plays to do during the game, which will improve your chances of winning.
Practice like it is an actual game. You cannot learn to shoot under pressure if you always practice casually. To help improve your chances of success during an actual game, gather a group of friends together and practice like it is a real game. Call the same plays as you would in an actual game and try as hard as you would in an actual game.
If you are coaching a team, you need to set an example of what is expected. If you want kids to give 100 percent, then you need to give 110 percent when coaching. Get on the field and play with your players. Show them how to dribble the ball.
It’s important to know exactly how to wash your goalkeeping gloves. First, soak them for an hour in a solution of warm water and gentle soap. After that, rinse them until the water is clear. Dry them palm-side down.
Soccer is the perfect way to get your children to exercise while having fun. Soccer is a game that incorporates a lot of foot and eye coordination which helps build fine motor skills. Also because of the amount of running done during a soccer match, kids get the necessary cardiovascular exercises to stay healthy.
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.
