Most people that play soccer want to do their best. But there’s much more to it than just wanting to improve. It’s not enough to just read about how to do it, you have to physically get out there and practice. Keep in mind the following tips to help you get better at playing soccer.
Make sure that your cleats fit when you buy them. The shoes should be snug with good arch support. As well, your ankles should move freely when wearing the cleat. Buying the wrong cleats can result in damage, so be very careful.
Learn how to perform the Outside Elastico. When you are on the flanks, the Outside Elastico is a great way to cut back to the inside. To master the move, get a cone or another object, and set it upon the ground. Take about five steps back from the cone. Start to dribble towards it. As you get closer to the cone, touch the ball outside and quickly back inside. The outside touch will trick your opponents. The second touch should be more powerful so you can correct the trajectory of the ball.
Seek out ways to surprise your opponents. Good players are going to recognize and predict all of your plays if you are someone who doesn’t do anything new. If a defender is approaching, do something unexpected, like moving the ball back or crossing it to the other side of the playing area.
To confuse an opponent, dribble away from where you need to be going. As the defender follow you, switch sides and go the other way. This is great for bypassing defenders.
Passing the ball in one direction for several plays in a row will establish a pattern. The other team will think you are going to repeat it over and over again. Then, surprise them by changing the direction you cross the ball in or just don’t cross it at all.
Get together with your team and work on specific strategies. Learn when each of you will be crossing the ball. Consider establishing a pattern within the team of crossing the ball in a specific direction at certain times, then switching to the other side.
Balls launched high into the air are very hard to properly control. Make your passes low when you notice defenders getting close. You can use lofted balls if you want to make a long pass to a player who is in an empty area.
Adding long distance running into your off-season training can be very beneficial. Within a typical soccer game, a player will run around eight miles. By distance training, you will increase your stamina, resulting in the ability to play soccer for longer periods of time without a break.
During a soccer game, an excellent trick to use is that of surprise. Work on dribbling to the right and then shifting off your pass to the left side. This opens the playing field for your team and the defender won’t expect it. You may surprise your teammates at first, but they will soon learn to expect the unexpected from you.
Soccer is still quite a physical type of a game. You should not worry about running into anyone on the field. Playing a physical game is not the same as being a dirty player. The aim is to intimidate your opponent, not injure them. If being physical scares you, it is vital that you get over it. Use soccer pads to keep your legs safe.
You must have a winning attitude if you expect to win games. By having faith in your team’s ability to win, you will be more confident in dribbling, passing, and shooting. When you have a good attitude, it helps everyone on your team.
Ask all of the parents to purchase a separate soccer ball for practice. This will ensure that each player has a ball to practice with at home. Keep a few soccer balls around as extras just in case someone doesn’t remember to bring one. Any teammate who forgets to bring the ball should be made to run some additional pass plays.
In addition to working on your sustained cardio, it is important to practice sprints as well. You should only do this after you have warmed up properly. Start sprinting by running at top speed for 30 seconds. Then come to a rest for an equal amount of time. Repeat this pattern for 15 minutes each day to achieve best results.
Be sure of yourself when playing. Although soccer is a very physical game, it is also a very mental one. By controlling your thoughts, you can have more control of the game. If you think you’ll mess up, you will probably do that. Consider what needs to happen in order to score, not what’s going to happen when you don’t score.
A good soccer player always keeps his head up. It is harder that you think and may require practice. You should be looking for opportunities whether you have the ball or not. This way you will always know where the opposing team are placed on the field and you lessen your chances of unexpected tackles. Obviously, you’ll need to watch the ball too, just make sure it’s not all the time.
You know what to do, now go out and practice. Practice using the tips you’ve read today along with your team. By practicing together, you will increase your skill as a team and maybe even win that big game.