Every athlete dreams of leading their team to victory. but it takes practice and skill to achieve that dream. Here are some soccer tips to help you as you strive to improve your game. Use these tips to expand your skill set and to become a valued member of your soccer team.
Make sure to buy plenty of protective gear if you plan on playing soccer. Thick socks are a good investment since they help prevent cramps and blisters. Shin guards are a good buy, and you should never play soccer without them. They will protect you from injuries caused by kicks and falls.
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.
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.
Teach yourself to perform an easy Outside Elastico. This helps cut inside if there are defenders on your flank. Grab a bag, shoe or cone and practice by putting it down on the ground. Start five steps away from the cone. Begin to dribble towards it. As you get closer to the cone, gently do an outside touch then a quick inside touch. The outside touch is what fools your opponents. Understand that the second touch should always be larger than the first.
If you have the ball and you see open space, move toward it. You want to bring a defender in toward you, so that the field opens up for one of your teammates. As the defender gets closer, pass the ball to someone who is in a better position than you. Hopefully, they will score!
Rushing to the goal is very tempting but you need to make sure you have some backup first. Do not mount an attack unless you have at least one player on each side. You need to save the ball with a quick pass to one side in case too many defenders close in on you.
Conditioning is one of the most important parts of any sport. This is especially true when it comes to soccer. Soccer players run a lot; therefore, building your running stamina is part of an effective soccer conditioning program. When running, run at a slow steady pace, then do a 30 second burst of running as fast as you can. Repeat this process throughout your run.
Anyone who is serious about playing soccer should develop good eating habits. Your diet should include lots of lean proteins along with a variety of fruits and vegetables. By incorporating lean protein in your diet, you will help build strong healthy muscles that are required for kicking the ball accurately.
You need to run for three miles a day to develop your cardio. You have to have good cardio fitnes, as soccer requires continuous running. Endurance can be pumped up by running a few miles a day. Run in different places to avoid getting into a boring routine.
While it may seem that soccer is less physical than football, that is simply not true. Don’t be afraid to run into another player. Getting physical doesn’t equate playing dirty. Purposely kicking a player is dirty, but physical play in general is not. If you are the type of person who does not like contact with others, you must be able to overcome this. Avoid injury by always wearing protective equipment.
When shooting the soccer ball, use only the front part of your foot. If you use your toes or the inside or outside of your shoes, your shot will not be as powerful or as directed as it should be. Practice this shooting technique until it becomes second nature.
It is never a good idea to hog the ball when you are playing soccer, but being selfish is sometimes quote necessary. If you find that you are constantly in a position to make a great shot, there is no reason why you should fail to take advantage of that.
Now that you have read up on these soccer tips, take the time to practice them. Practice is vital to perfecting any skill. Join your friends, grab a ball and start practicing today. practice as often as you can. then when game time comes, you will be ready, willing and able to be a part of a winning team.
