Soccer is just like any other sport when it comes to being a better player. It takes determination and practice. It also involves a set of skills that can only be gained by actually playing the game. This article offers you some tips to help you gain those skill to become an ace soccer player.

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.

Recognize that how you pass the ball to someone else has meaning. For example, a hard pass indicates a sense of urgency, and it may tell the player that someone is coming up on them. A soft pass often indicates that you want the player to retreat toward you a little. There is much you can say on the field, even without words.


Wherever you are on the field, try to maintain perspective in regards to the entire field. Knowing where your teammates are will help you pass the ball quickly and keep your opponents confused. It is not necessary to follow the ball too closely to stay in the game. You are more likely to get a pass when you are in a relatively open space on the field.

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. The more animated you are, the better it works.

While it’s essential to make goals for yourself, you need to remember that team goals are important too. The whole team has to work together, so setting team goals is key.


Learn your passing skills well to succeed at soccer. Use the inside arch of your foot for the most accuracy. For short passes, keep the ball low by hitting it near the center of the ball. For longer passes, with more power, hit the ball lower and follow through fully.

Get more involved in each training session and game. Move around more. Expect more from yourself. Try harder to shut down the opposition and to get forward and help out your teammates. Keep the communication with your team going throughout the game. Do all you can to be more involved and active every time you’re out on the field.

There are several different ways in which shin guards can be attached to your legs. Many players prefer using shin guards that attach with Velcro. One thing this is great for is helping you to get in and out of your shin guards with ease. Another advantage of velcro is the ability to wear the shin guard snug against the calf.

Find the right coach. Not all soccer coaches are created equal. Look for one who knows a great deal about the game, and has experience. They should also be willing to work with individuals on the team in order to develop the necessary skills, not just the team as a whole.

Do warm up exercises before you play soccer. Do some deep breathing exercises and do some stretching. This will help prevent the occurrence of cramps during the game. A good warm-up of the body will keep you in good physical condition to help avoid cramps. This helps you stay loose and be prepared, and that helps you avoid serious injury or cramping.

If you are a goalie, do not allow yourself to become complacent behind the goal line. It’s easy to feel somewhat disengaged when the ball is nowhere near your zone, but this is a common pitfall. Always keep your body moving instead of standing still. Move from side to side or jog in place to keep your mind and your body alert.

Aim to keep your shot down when volleying. Your goal should be to not allow the ball to fly over the goal’s crossbar. Aim it just right and it will land exactly where you want it to. The goalie will be hard pressed to intercept it when you aim it perfectly.

If you are your team’s striker, you must know the difference between power and accuracy. If you need to get the ball down the field much further, then you need to concentrate on power. Power kicking is accomplished when your toes point downwards and laces actually touch the ball. When accuracy is your goal, the ball should be kicked using the side of one of your feet.

Now that you have just read some new tricks to try, take the time to try them out. Grab your ball and take to the field with these new tricks. Invite some friends over for an afternoon of practice and fun. Share you new skills with them and then practice them together so you can use them to win your next game.