No matter what your favorite sport is, every athlete dreams of victory and winning. but winning takes skill and a lot of practice. Here are some tips and trick to help you expand your skill set and become a better soccer player. These tips can help you become the great soccer player that you truly want to be.

Always keep your eyes open. If you are fortunate enough to get the ball, pass it to the person that you think can advance toward the goal, even if that is not you. Be selfless in order to help your team win. However, in order to follow this piece of advice, you have to be vigilant and know what is happening on the field at all times.

Switch the ball from one side to the other if you are trying to get away from a defender. Kick the ball with the inside of your foot and try gaining speed so you can escape the defender. Shield the ball with your body if the defender catches up to you.

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.

You should feel comfortable about pointing out issues to the other members of your team, even if you recently joined the team. Suggest some new strategies or draw their attention to mistakes you noticed. A team can usually benefit from a fresh perspective on the strategies and habits they have adopted.

When playing a game of soccer, make sure to stay focused. Do not forget that the game isn’t finished until the referee says it is. Don’t get lost in the moment because your team is ahead or because there isn’t much time left in the game. Scoring a goal in the final minute of the game may make or break games or championships.

When you are carrying the ball with a defender is approaching, make the pretense of passing the ball to another player. Use their confusion at this time to plan your next move. Become animated using this tactic as an advantage to throw off your opponent.

The element of surprise can be one of your best weapons when playing soccer. Dribble to the right and pass to the left. This may surprise your opponent, giving your teammates room to make a move. Although at first your teammates might not know what is happening, they will eventually get used to your technique.

Before each soccer match, make sure you take the time to do some pregame warm-ups and stretching. By following this pregame ritual, you will decrease your chances of sustaining a connective tissue injury. By providing additional blood flow to your muscles, tendons and ligaments, warm-ups and stretching increases your body’s flexibility. Your lower body should be the focus of your stretching exercises.

While individual goals are important, try to keep work on team goals as well. Soccer needs an entire team of effective players, so that’s why it’s important for everyone to keep the team goals in mind.

You should ensure you are constantly practicing your dribbling skills. Dribbling a soccer ball is the main fundamental in soccer, much like dribbling a basketball is the main fundamental in basketball. Therefore, you should be constantly dribbling a soccer ball anytime you can. Dribble down your neighborhood, in your yard, or in your home, alternating feet every time.

Before a soccer game, it is important that you are as relaxed as possible. Although everyone gets nervous, you must be able to control your anxiety. Otherwise, no matter how skilled you are at the game, you will not be thinking clearly. Therefore, you will make many simple mistakes that you otherwise would not have.

Soccer is a game that requires a lot of concentration. If your concentration is broken during a game, you will make many mistakes. Therefore, practice concentration drills so that your focus is improved. Having said this, understand that not all drills work for everyone. Some people learn visually, while others learn more from hearing. The key is finding the concentration drill that works for you. By doing so, you will notice your soccer skills dramatically increase.

Now that you have read a few new soccer tips, take the time to try them out. grab your soccer ball and get to practicing them right now. Then call some friends and share these new skills. These new skills, along with a lot of practice and dedication is what it takes to become a winning team.