How much do you know about the field of soccer? As you strive to become a great player, you must always continue to learn more. There is a lot to learn, and some of the tricks of the game aren’t quite easy. However, keep reading to find out more information about bettering your game.
Make some firm passes if you want to get a reaction from other players. Firm passes are easier to control and let other players know that it is time to take action. A soft pass is a good way to draw a player into the game but is too risky if you are under pressure.
You should look for ways to surprise the other team. Smart opponents will learn your plays and begin predicting your moves ahead of time if you repeat the same plays over and over again. Mix-up the game and send the ball to different spots on the field to keep the opponent guessing.
Always have a plan for what you will do with the ball when it is passed to you. Anticipate the best move, whether it is a short or long pass, or a shot at the goal. Do not be obvious about the moves you will make. The element of surprise is important to keeping the ball protected.
Watch soccer games on TV. You can learn a lot by paying attention to the way professional players play. Pay attention for patterns, strategies and team work. Professional players usually display a few tricks if they get an occasion but you should not try reproducing these tricks until you are more comfortable with the game.
If you have the ball and a defender is coming toward you, act like you are going to pass the ball to someone else. The defender will pause for a few seconds, which gives you time to figure out what to do next. The technique works even better if you’re animated.
If you are a goalie, you must learn to stay low. By learning to stay low and balanced, you will be able to block most shots. Be ready to lunge toward either side of the goal. This is best accomplished by spreading your legs approximately shoulder width apart and then lunging toward the ball when it is kicked.
When making a shot remember that wider is better than higher. Wide shots cause the goalie to really stretch. If you can manage to shoot a wide shot that is close to the ground, you will most likely score because the goalie will need to stretch and will not have good control over his body.
Find a professional player who plays the same position you do and watch how he plays throughout a game. If you learn to imitate the methods you see, your own skills will improve. If you identify any signature moves, imitate them and begin using them when you play.
The “press” is very important when preventing your opponent from moving down the field. You want to make your opponent feel uncomfortable when receiving the ball, perhaps even facing backwards. However, be careful when pressing not to commit a foul, or else you will not be helping out the team.
Make sure you keep a combative spirit about your play. You want to show your coach that you have the right attitude in order to help defend and help your team score without giving up. If you desire to have a spot on the main team, this is key to your success.
A great way to learn more about soccer is watching professional soccer matches on TV. This helps you learn the rules better, and it also gives you a good idea of how the game needs to be played. Watching soccer is not a replacement for actual playing time, but it can be an important aspect of learning the game.
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.
Soccer is the perfect way to get your children to exercise while having fun. Soccer is a game that incorporates a lot of foot and eye coordination which helps build fine motor skills. Also because of the amount of running done during a soccer match, kids get the necessary cardiovascular exercises to stay healthy.
Before you read this article, you were already a soccer player. Now, it’s time to become a better player. It’s always about improving your game so that you can give it your best effort. Use the information you’ve learned here today to help guide you as you work on your soccer skills.