It is impossible to count the overwhelming legions of soccer fans and players that span the globe. But, the immense popularity of soccer does not mean that absolutely everybody knows a sufficient amount about the sport to play well. Continue perusing the piece that follows and you will soon gain an impressive mastery of this beloved game.
Do not hesitate to ask for the ball if you feel like you are in a good position. Some players tend to focus entirely on what is directly in front of them and forget to keep tack of where their team mates are. Draw their attention by waving your arms or asking for the ball.
You need to stay alert even after you have passed the ball. Run after the player you passed the ball to and perhaps you will get the ball back if they need help. A good soccer player will pass the ball back to you when they require help.
Remember that you have a role on the team, whether you are a natural play maker or not. Some people simply make things happen on the field. If you do not have that talent, you can act as a support to those that have different skills than you do. Figure out what your role is and play to your strengths.
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.
Look for numerical advantage on the field. You want to pass the ball to a player who is near others from your team rather than a player who is surrounded by defenders. Talk to your team about this strategy and encourage them to form groups in an empty area so you can easily gain a numerical advantage.
Try to find ways that you can surprise the opposing team. Defenders are smart; they will pick up on any patterns involved with your play. Keep the other team on their toes by making unexpected but effective moves, like kicking the ball behind you, when you are in danger of losing the ball.
Get together with your team and work on specific strategies. They ought to be able to tell when you’ll cross the soccer ball, so they’re able to get it. You might cross the ball in one direction for a couple of plays only to go left on the third try.
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.
It is important that you use all the different parts of your foot while you are playing soccer. When you’re dribbling fast, you will most likely be using the front and instep of your foot. If you’d like to dribble better, the outside and the inside of your foot must be used. No matter what direction defensive pressure is on, this techniques serves to cut your ball away from it.
When you are training for soccer in between seasons, try to do exercises that you actually enjoy. People have a hard time doing things regularly that they dread. You need to train, so it would be a good idea for you to find a training regimen you will look forward to doing.
Before each soccer match, make sure you take the time to do some pregame warm-ups and stretching. By following this pregame ritual, you will decrease your chances of sustaining a connective tissue injury. By providing additional blood flow to your muscles, tendons and ligaments, warm-ups and stretching increases your body’s flexibility. Your lower body should be the focus of your stretching exercises.
If you are a goalie, you must learn to stay low. By learning to stay low and balanced, you will be able to block most shots. Be ready to lunge toward either side of the goal. This is best accomplished by spreading your legs approximately shoulder width apart and then lunging toward the ball when it is kicked.
Soccer is extremely physical, even if it seems less so than football. Do not worry about running into anyone. Playing a physical game is not the same as being a dirty player. If you kick someone intentionally then you are guilty of dirty play, but playing rough is allowed. Get over any fear of getting physical. And be sure to protect your own legs with the use of soccer pads.
Soccer is a sport that has a long, storied history in nations across the world. Despite that fact, there are countless individuals who are still lacking in their knowledge of the sport. Hopefully the piece above has helped clarify some of the fundamentals of the game and gets you out on the field in no time.
