Soccer is a sport that can be played almost anywhere, with a minimum of equipment, facts which have made it immensely popular across the globe. But, it may be that you lack a good understanding of the sport’s fundamentals. If so, this article is intended to provide you with the education you need.
Even though soccer equipment is very expensive, you need it in order to be completely safe while you play. If you buy sub-par equipment, or if you fail to buy something that you need, you may get injured. Hospital bills will cost a lot more than the cost of decent equipment.
Practice protecting the soccer ball from opponents. Use your body as a barrier between the ball and your opponent. Keep control of the ball by kicking it with the inside of your foot. While practicing, try dribbling the ball in a square while your opponent tries to get it away from you.
Make sure you are constantly switching the ball back and forth in the game. Just release pressure via switching the ball to one side of the field. This betters your chances of finding open spots on the field and increases the amount of space for you to execute a plan. It draws the other team to one side of the field while you quickly switch the ball to the other side when they target you.
You can improve your defense with a simple drill. Dribble the ball in a small space and have another player try taking it away from you. Keep the ball for as long as possible by shielding it with your entire body. Your defensive skills will improve as you practice with this simple drill.
Don’t be the soccer mom who makes all the other parents cringe and all of your child’s teammates ridicule him or her at school. Support the decisions of the referee and do not shout instructions from the sidelines or run out onto the playing field to consult with the ref or instruct your child.
When you first start playing soccer, make sure to start slow. Many people see soccer as a very fast-paced game, but that’s only after you’ve practiced enough. You need to learn proper form and movements to start with. Doing these slowly can help you learn how to do them properly. You can pick up speed as you practice and get more comfortable with them.
You can usually make a defender freeze for a few seconds by faking a shot. If you see a defender closing in on you, posture yourself as if you were about to kick the ball and make a long pass. The defender should stop and anticipate the pass you are faking.
To perform at the highest level on the field you need to be properly hydrated. Begin to increase your intake of fluids 24 hours before your match. You can’t consume enough water during the match to replace all the fluids you lose while playing, so you need to get a head start.
Soccer is a sport played by a team. This is important to remember. Playing just boost your glory can backfire on you, especially if you’re not cooperating with your teammates. Make your moves with the good of the whole team in mind. Forgoing personal glory for the good of the team often leads to success.
Practice passing by placing two small cones approximately a foot apart. Kick the ball through the obstacles to help you learn to pass between opponents and get it to your teammate. As you get better at this passing technique go for longer passes and move the cones closer together.
Be sure you are focusing on your weaknesses. Your game of soccer is only as good as your weakest technique. If your weakness is accuracy, then line up several balls in a row and continue shooting balls into the net. On the other hand, if your weakness is trapping, get someone to throw balls to you repeatedly. By improving the areas you are weakest at, you will notice your skills increase substantially.
For a successful game, you need to communicate with your teammates. This is sometimes the best card you can play. Once an open spot is found, make sure the player with the ball is told. You need to learn the right lingo when you are playing a game of soccer, so that you can communicate your intentions properly. For example, “through” will tell your teammate that you’re going to move between two opponents to receive his pass.
The accessibility, pace and excitement of the sport of soccer have all combined to make it one of the world’s most popular pastimes. If a grasp of soccer’s basics had previously eluded you, that situation should now be rectified. When it doubt, refer to the tips found above, and you will be a master on the field in no time.
