Folks the world over have long recognized the physical benefits and sheer excitement the sport of soccer can offer. Perhaps you have yet to discover the joy and exhilaration that playing and watching soccer may bring to your life. Keep on reading to learn more about the game and to see if it may be the sport for you.
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.
Always play the ball quickly. Regardless of the position you are in, you should think quickly and pass the ball to a player who is in a better position as soon as you can. Help the team build an attack by running forward and preparing yourself to get the ball again.
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.
It’s hard to control a lofted ball. It’s better to concentrate on low-level passes that are fast and direct. Do this just as the opponent gets near you. If you need to make a longer pass, use a lofted ball.
When practicing dribbling set up an obstacle course. This course can be made by using plastic cones placed approximately two feet apart. Then weave in and out the obstacle course using your dribbling technique. This practice will teach you how to weave around other players while maintaining control of the ball.
There are three essential skills all soccer players must master. They are dribbling, shooting and passing. These skills can not be developed overnight. They require many hours of practice. By doing drills from a stationary position, a beginner can begin developing these three must-have skills. As a player becomes more proficient in these drills, add in some motion.
Soccer doesn’t require as much physical contact as football, but it is still a very strenuous game. Don’t worry about colliding with someone. Just because you get a little physical does not mean you are playing dirty. If you kick someone intentionally then you are guilty of dirty play, but playing rough is allowed. If physicality frightens you, you have to try to get over that. You can take measures to protect yourself, such as wearing soccer pads for your legs.
Soccer coaches do not need to give as much feedback as other sports’ coaches, so allow your players to be a bit ore independent. Once players are on the field, they need to make their own decisions about their plays, so allow them to do this without worrying about you interfering.
Good soccer uniforms are part of any successful team. When choosing soccer uniforms, look for one made of quality materials. Soccer is a contact sport, so you should look for jerseys that will withstand the constant abuse. Always think in terms of what will last along with the comfort level of your players.
Make sure you take full advantage of every second you spend on the field to improve your soccer playing technique. Don’t waste time during training. You are there to work on your technique, train, and make practice. Maximize your time by resisting the tendency to use training time socializing and playing around.
Practice your juggling skills at home with the soccer ball. Juggle off of your thigh once and catch the ball. Then, juggle twice and catch. Maintain your control, and keep repeating this process. Your game improves immensely as you get better at juggling. Anything like this you can do to help you control the ball better is important.
Snack before you exercise. Eat a nutritious snack such as a yogurt parfait topped with granola or a couple of eggs and some dried fruit. These snacks are perfect to grab and go before a workout. They will help provide the necessary fuel to effectively workout without losing your stamina.
When training for soccer, use interval training. This type of training uses short sets of repetitions. For example, with interval training you will start with doing a bench press for three minutes. When those three minutes are up, you will rest for one minute and then jump rope for three minutes. Then, you will continue around the gym doing a variety of exercises for three minutes with a one minute rest break between each exercise.
It is no secret that millions of individuals in every corner of the globe are devoted to soccer, both as players and as spectators. It may be that you had never really given the sport much thought until now. With any luck, the material presented in the article above has sparked your interested and gotten you ready to start playing.