Soccer is the word’s most popular sport and it’s quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Among the reasons for soccer’s popularity are its safety, it’s equally suited for both boys and girls, it doesn’t require expensive equipment and everyone gets plenty of play time. Here are some things you should know if your kids are interested the playing soccer.
The part of the ball you kick is crucial in soccer. If you kick too high on the ball, it is not going to go very far. On the other hand, kicking the bottom of the ball will just make it go high in the air. It is best to aim for the middle.
Your first move should always be to pass. Keep it aa long as possible if you can safely advance and pass to a teammate when the defender is coming at you. That player will be able to maintain possession for some time prior to the defenders closing in on them.
You can usually make a defender freeze for a few seconds by faking a shot. If you see a defender closing in on you, posture yourself as if you were about to kick the ball and make a long pass. The defender should stop and anticipate the pass you are faking.
Lofted balls are hard to control. Keep the ball low when you pass, and move it around quickly. To pass long to a teammate in a wide open space, use a lofted ball.
Always set goals for yourself when trying to improve your soccer skills. You should make sure you set both short-term and long-term goals. Of course, like any other goals, you want them to be achievable; however, you should also ensure they are difficult enough so that you push yourself. By having specific goals to work for, you are more likely to succeed in improving yourself.
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.
The center of the field can often be packed, so you should be utilizing wing men on the sides of the playing field. However, you have to be careful of the area that is out of bounds. Once you use the wing men, you are able to push the ball back to the center in order to finish the play.
Watch videos of other soccer players to improve your own game. This is especially effective right before a game. Analyze what the player is doing, and consider how you can incorporate that into your own technique. Experiment with different styles and strategies you observe in other great players in order to step up your own skills.
Instead of only training with your strong foot, give both of your feet just as much attention. You can be more versatile if you have 2 feet that are strong. By having two strong feet, you can play both sides of the field and can defend the ball better.
Make sure that each soccer goal is appropriately padded to help avoid head injuries should a player come in contact with the pole during a game. Also, forbid your players from crawling under or onto a goal. This could cause the goal to fall on the player, which could result in a severe injury.
If you are unsure of your own soccer skills, you will have a hard time being a good soccer coach. Be sure to hone your skills before you try to teach anyone how to play soccer. If you are insecure, it will show through and you and your team will have a miserable time. Be smart, bold and confident so that you can keep your soccer sessions enjoyable and productive.
You must be able to learn to capitalize on the free kicks. These kicks are usually 20-30 yards away from the goal and keeper. You can score some great goals this way that can make the difference in a game and switch the momentum to your side. While these opportunities only happen occasionally, you must realize the importance of the scoring opportunity without having to continually try to create one.
As you can see, getting kids started playing soccer is quite easy. All that is really needed is a pair of soccer cleats and a set of shin guards. This makes it accessible to virtually everyone, regardless of financial status. Soccer can be the beginning to a lifetime of fitness and will give kids an excellent understanding of teamwork.
