If you want to be a soccer star, you must always be willing to learn. The tips in this article can help. Keep reading to discover how you can greatly improve.

Your ability to play soccer will determine the kind of cleats that you buy. If you are a beginner, you should purchase synthetic cleats. You can invest in metal cleats if you are a more advanced player and need to get traction on different terrains.

TIP! Avoid collisions with other players at all costs. Always try to anticipate your opponent’s position to prevent contact.

Avoid collisions with other players at all costs. Make your best effort to figure out where the opposing player will be so you will not collide with him. Doing this not only allows you to keep possession of the ball, but it also greatly reduces the possibility that you might be injured.

For short passes, use your instep to accurately direct the ball. Whenever you make a long pass, use the front of the foot, which is where your laces are located, to kick the ball. This will help you kick the ball further.

The Outside Elastico is a simple beginner move. Doing this will give you the ability to cut inside better. Start by practicing with a cone or shoe as a marker. Begin the maneuver about five running steps behind the opponent. Start dribbling back in its direction. Whenever you get close to the cone, do an outside touch and then quickly do an inside touch. The touch to the outside is what will fool your opponents. Try to make the second touch bigger than the first.

TIP! If you’re seeing too much action where you are with the ball, pass it to someone who isn’t surrounded by action. There will always be a few free seconds before the opposing defenders can cross the field.

Establish a pattern by crossing the ball in the same direction for two or three plays. The defense will quickly notice this pattern and anticipate it. Then, you can take them by surprise and glean some extra seconds when you either don’t cross or cross going the other way.

Work with your teammates to establish game strategies. They should be aware when you want to cross the soccer ball so they are right there to catch it. For instance, you might cross two times and then switch on the third play.

To become a better penalty kick scorer you should practice these sorts of kicks immediately after an energetic practice. This will train you to be on target after getting fouled during a game. Come up with several different types of penalty kicks that can be used and keep on practicing it until you master this skill.

TIP! Lofted balls are difficult to keep control over. Lower passes are easier to control and to get over to your teammates as the defenders are approaching.

You should use a tennis ball to practice your dribbling. Using a smaller ball hones your ability to constantly adjust with the feet while maintaining control When you can easily achieve this, a soccer ball is bound to be that much easier to control.

You must stay fit in order to play well. If you gain a bit of extra weight, you may find that the game will be difficult for you. Watch the amount and the types of food you eat to be sure you’re eating a healthy diet.

While individual goals are important, try to keep work on team goals as well. Understand that winning a soccer game requires the whole team. One person cannot win the entire game. Therefore, it’s vital that consider your team’s goals on the same level or above your own.

TIP! If you possess the soccer ball and an opponent is coming for you, pretend you are passing the ball to a teammate. It could cause them to halt and allow you a free second to figure out your next move.

It is not smart to be too confident on the soccer field. Even if your skill level is high, every game is different. Being unprepared can result in even more mistakes after something unexpected occurs.

Try to practice with players that have more experience than you. This will cause you to work harder, quickly increasing your skill levels. Learn everything you can by asking these players questions. Many will help because they’re used to working as a part of a team. If you don’t know anyone who is better than you, talk to players at games played nearby.

Learn from your mistakes. Do you notice that every time you dribble the ball down the field it gets taken away? Keep an eye on the dribbling techniques of others to pick up good pointers. Go to your coach or teammates with any questions you may have.

TIP! Practicing penalty kicks will help increase your chances of scoring during this time. That teaches your brain how to do them correctly.

Your shoe is one of the most important choices before the soccer game. When playing on a grass field, the cleats on your shoes should provide adequate traction. These types of surfaces require firm permanent cleats. These cleats are available in various patterns that will increase your grip on the ground.

Watching soccer on TV can improve your game. It shows you the rules and the way to properly play the game. While it doesn’t replace actual practice time, it’s essential to bettering your game and using what you’ve learned on the field.

There are injuries in soccer, but you can protect yourself from these injuries with the right equipment. The place to start with injury prevention is to ensure you are in excellent shape. To do that, you must focus not only on exercise, but also on a nutritious diet. You need to work on your cardiovascular health as well as your strength.

TIP! In order to play the game as well as you can, keeping your body fit is extremely important. If you gain weight, it will be difficult to play the game.

Speak with parents and ask that they get soccer balls to bring to practice. This way, each player will have a practice ball they can then take home with them. Have some extra balls ready during practice sessions in case someone forgets theirs. You may even have players who forget run a little extra.

Use what you’ve learned here to become a better player. Soccer is great fun and you will enjoy the fast pace. Make sure that you commit and are diligent to the game and its rules.