Soccer Player Skills
Soccer players around the world want to become better players. In fact, at the very heart of competition is beating your opponent.
To increase the chances of beating your opponent you need to improve your individual skill on the field. A collective team of great soccer is better than a collective team of mediocre players, all else being equal.
Here is what this section will cover: kicking, passing, dribbling, heading, volleys, touch and more. Read and study each skill. Then go out and practice each skills with both legs and in different situations, as appropriate.
Your individual practice should be outside of the games and practice with the team. Depending on how good you want to get is how much time you will have to put in. But balance is a key. Don't get burnt out by putting too much time into practice. Many of these articles are also listed in their specific skill section.
How to Kick a Soccer Ball!
Beginner or advanced athletes can use a little touching up on their kicking skill. Before you go to advanced kicking techniques master these basic kicks first.
As a young athlete or coach teaching young athletes the basics should always be the place to start. Focus on the instep kick and the laces kick before teaching a player how to kick around a wall. Read the article mentioned above then watch the video below to take this skill to the next level
The basic kicks article has some drills and animates to watch as well.
Learn to practice this fundamental soccer skill the correct way. Invest the time to first master the fundamentals.
After the fundamentals have been mastered then move on to bending and other advanced techniques.
Improve your Heading Abilities
If you coach or play you should follow these basic tips for improving or teaching heading technque:
Watch the ball
Contact the ball with your forehead, just above the eyebrows
Lean back before contact
Head through the ball, leaning forward and using neck muscles to put power on the header.
End motion looking directly at intended target.
Follow those 5 tips to improve your heading. Make sure you also read the soccer heading article as well.
The same advice applies here. Master the fundamentals before you get tricky with your heading skills.
It's importan to always build a foundation in every skill before moving on to the "fun stuff".
How to become Great!
To take your game to the next level and become great you must practice and practice alot. Here is a model you can follow. Choose your own numbers these are just an example:
First, Practice on your own 500-1000 repetitions a day on each foot. What ever the skill is you are trying to improve do it over and over again. If you are working on the step over move. Do it over and over again till you have it down.
Second, Practice in practice. Coaches provide time for scrimmage in practice. This is the perfect time to improve your skill just learned. Set a goal that you would like to do the step over drill for example in practice going both ways against an opponent.
Third, Upon mastery to a certain level use the skill in the game at the appropriate time.
At this level your game is at a new level. Not only do you have all your previous skills but you also have the new step over skill.
Use this model to improve your game or to coach kids to improve theirs.
How to kick a soccer ball with power
Coaches rountable discussion about how to kick a soccer ball with power.
Penalty Kicks
Ideas to make penalty kicks a success for youth soccer players. We review studies and our Roundtable Coaches Chyme in as well.
How to practice in pairs, with a friend
Ideas to help you improve your soccer game if you are practicing in pairs with friend.
52 soccer training tips to improve your game
Learn key ideas and skills to improve your game from those involved in the game. Read this article for players wanting to improve their game.
Soccer Receiving Skills and tips and Techniques
Receiving the ball well with your first touch is a crucial skill in the game of soccer. A player who is not able to receive a ball and be productive is detrimental to his or her team, and will be as effective as a basketball player who cannot catch!
Learn how to pass the soccer ball, Tips, Techniques
Passing is the core element of any successful soccer team. The ability to keep possession and give the ball to a teammate is one of the most important skills a soccer player can possess. Soccer passing includes many difference aspects.
How to Head a Soccer Ball with Diagram and Video
Heading is an important skill for all soccer players. Players who do not have the ability to play aerial balls can struggle in crowded areas of the field where high balls are common.
How to Kick a Soccer Ball
The quickest way to distinguish between someone who's played soccer and someone who hasn't is by watching them kick a soccer ball.
Soccer touch-Tips to improve this skill
Many youth soccer players envision themselves moving the ball down the field, making fancy moves past defenders and then scoring the winning goal.
35 Tips to Take your Game to the Next Level
Follow these 35 tips from Stuart Flaherty to take your game to the next level.
The Fundamentals of Ball Control
The importance of ball control in the game of soccer cannot be overemphasized, particularly with youth players. Many coaches skip from topic to topic in practice hoping to find a strategic answer when success may be dictated by a single factor, can your players trap and use the ball effectively when under defensive pressure?
Soccer Juggling Skills
Juggling is a popular form of practice for soccer players. While you will rarely juggle in a game the practice does develop a lot of skills that help in game performance. Juggling can develop your touch on the ball and quick feet. Juggling for long periods of time can also develop concentration and focus.
Goal Kicks-Tips, Tricks and How tos
Goal kicks are an important form of restart in the game of soccer. A team should aim to have goal kicks taken by the goalkeeper. Young goalkeepers who have an outfielder take their kicks should practice regularly as the eventual goal should be take the kicks themselves. How many professional goalkeepers do you see not taking the goal kicks?
Fundamentals and How to cross the ball in Soccer
Crossing the ball into the penalty area is a very popular and dangerous form of attack in the game of soccer. A dangerous cross is a difficult thing for goalkeepers and defenders alike to deal with.
Soccer Free Kicks - Strategy and Tips
Free kicks are a form of restart during a game of soccer. When a team wins a free kick there are many different ways to take advantage of it. Free kicks in the defensive area may be used to clear your lines.
How to Soccer Volley
TVolleying is an advanced and valuable skill for soccer players. The skill of volleying requires concentration, body control and technical ability. The ability to volley allows a player to move the ball at a very fast speed,
Soccer-How to Train Alone
Time invested in practice is the only way to significantly improve your ability as a soccer player. Many people marvel over the ability of teams such as Brazil and wonder about the coaching methods and strategies that produce such brilliance.
Soccer Throw in Techniques and Tips
Throw ins are usually the most common form of restart during a soccer game. A team can use a throw in to set the tempo of a game and keep the opposition on the back foot if performed well.
Brazilian Soccer Training
TThe technical ability of Brazilian player’s makes it easy for them to produce exciting and attractive soccer.