Naturally, if football is the most famous sport in the world. This game can be learned in an instant, but to get into it takes a very long time. The meaning of “getting better at playing soccer” may vary from person to person, but all players must have good ball control and intelligence in playing on the field. After experiencing the pleasure of scoring goals, making important passes, or being an immovable bulwark, you will continue to love this sport until the end of your life.
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Method 1 of 3: Improving Leg Skills
Step 1. Fine-tune your first touch to make the next step easier
The first touch on the ball is very important, and this skill is the difference between an amateur and a professional. You need to be able to stop the ball with your feet, whether it's coming from the air or the ground, and get it right in front of you so you can launch an attack right away. Make sure you learn to stop the ball (also known as a “trap”) using your entire body by:
- Short-range one-touch passes with teammates. If your first touch is inaccurate, the opposing player will try to steal the ball. You also practice by kicking against a wall.
- Ask a partner or friend to throw or pass the ball in the air. The ball may only be stopped by two touches: one to hold the ball, and the other to pass it back.
- Pass and shoot while running. Ask a partner to pass the ball as you run. Set the timing of the first touch so that you can pass or shoot on the second touch without stopping.
Step 2. Perform a short distance ball touch drill
Your goal is not only to be able to control the ball faster and tighter, but also to improve its accuracy so that you become a better dribbler, passer and ball stopper. Try practicing 100 touches on each leg per drill:
- Bounce the ball between your legs while using the soles of your feet to keep the ball between your knees and "pass" back and forth as quickly as possible.
- Tap the ball quickly with the tips of your toes, and try to do it as quickly as possible. As your skills improve, practice rolling the ball slightly using the base (sol) of your toes, and focus on making the touch as small and accurate as possible.
- Try "in-and-out" exercises. Use the sole of your right foot to roll the ball to the right. Roll your foot over the top of the ball until it lands on your right, then use the back of your foot to pass the ball to your left foot. Stop the ball with the sole of your left foot and perform the previous movement, this time with your left foot. Continue this exercise back and forth with both legs.
Step 3. Practice shooting and passing while running
If you've played long enough, you should more or less understand how to shoot and pass effectively when the ball isn't moving. However, this situation is rare in real matches, and you can become an important player on your team if you are good at shooting and passing with power and accuracy while moving. Fortunately, this can be practiced with a partner or alone. You just touch the ball, run at 75% speed, then shoot at the goal.
- As your skills improve, increase speed. Once you're good at passing or shooting at sprint speed, you'll be a defensive line nightmare.
- Approach the goal from various angles, for example shooting after running into the middle of the penalty box, or passing into the center of the field from the width of the field.
- Improve your positioning skills. For example, a defender must be able to spin and throw the ball into the middle of the field to get out of the opponent's pressure.
Step 4. Pay attention to your opponent's non-dominant foot
No matter how great your dominant foot is, when facing a strong opponent you will be forced to learn to use your non-dominant foot. Great players are able to use both feet well and force defenders to work hard. Don't neglect your non-dominant foot skills and work your way up to your dominant foot.
Step 5. Learn how to dribble with accuracy and control
The ball should be an extension of your leg. Get the ball into a small area (such as the penalty area) and dribble back and forth across the line while varying the speed with sharp sprints and fast braking. Try a few moves and use both legs for the exercise until you feel tired. Your goal is to be able to dribble as close to your feet as possible at any speed. This skill will make you very dangerous for opposing players. Continue training with:
- Set up obstacles using flags, funnels, or old T-shirts. Practice zigzagging dribbling, swerving, and changing directions as quickly as possible without losing the ball.
- Practice juggling. While it may seem useless in a real game, juggling (kicking the ball continuously into the air so it doesn't touch the ground) is a great way to increase your touch on the ball and keep it close to your body. Practice with both feet, while trying to juggle as long as possible, and occasionally switch to a juggle that is smaller, taller and harder to the touch.
- Practice some advanced moves and tricks as they require high ball control. This will increase your ammo to use in matches.
Step 6. Learn to kick the ball in different areas to get different spins and shots
Location and how to kick the ball will determine the trajectory in its path. World class players have the best kick control. Both defensive and attacking players, if you can control the ball like a pro, you can be placed in more than one position in a team formation.
- Short and accurate passes are usually performed with the inside of the foot. Accurate mid-range passes are also kicked with the inside of the foot.
- The path of the kick will be curved if you kick with the outer 1/3 of the foot and hit the shoelace. Try to hit the ball slightly under, as if kicking it from a diagonal angle.
- You can do a knuckle kick by touching the shoelace just below the ball and preventing any follow-through. Knuckle kicks don't spin and fall unpredictably.
- Kicks on the underside of the ball using the edge between the instep and shoelace to produce a backspin chip kick that's great for accurate passes because it doesn't bounce or go away.
Method 2 of 3: Improving Intelligence Playing Soccer
Step 1. Learn one-on-one defensive techniques so you can help your team all over the court
From attackers to defenders, they must know how to defend one-on-one. Practice with your teammates for 1 vs 1 matches, and improve ball control and hit your opponents effectively. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The body should be slightly bent and standing on the base of the toes. Both knees should be bent in an athletic position so you can react quickly.
- Tilt, with one leg slightly forward so that you're dribbling your opponent toward one side of your body. Force the attacker to the sidelines, or towards your teammates, instead of just standing by and letting your opponent choose to push his way through the side he wants.
- Pay attention to the player's pelvis so as not to be tricked by the opponent. The pelvis is the center of gravity, and usually tells the opponent the direction the opponent is going, unless it's Lionel Messi. It's almost impossible to change the direction of the flanks quickly so you can use them to steal the ball from your opponent.
Step 2. Try not to look down during the game, especially when you have the ball
Great players can always scan the pitch, especially when they have the ball. This takes practice as it is difficult to control an unseen ball. However, learn to use the lower part of your gaze while scanning the field as this skill is very important in improving your intelligence and playing performance on the field.
Practice keeping your head straight. If you are diligent, over time you will see improvements
Step 3. Communicate on the pitch and keep talking to help teammates
Great players always say: "I'm free", "Get the ball", "please help", and so on when playing on the field. Football is a team game, and smart players know that the entire team must think the same for 90 minutes to be able to work together effectively. Be the team leader and start talking during training and matches. Things to say during the match include:
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Guarding opposing players:
let your opponent know who your opponent is guarding, if you want to win the ball, and if there is an opposing player who is free that needs to be guarded.
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Advice to friends who carry the ball:
Don't bombard your colleagues with information, but don't just stay silent either. Let a partner know if he is free, or if an opponent is guarding him.
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Run to attack:
Notify your teammates when you "overlap" (sprint without bringing the ball through the opponent's defense) or "return the ball" if necessary. When you run to attack, don't assume your partner is always looking at you, especially if they're looking down.
Step 4. Watch professional matches every week to learn from the best
Watch the movement of players with and without the ball. What types of runs do players in your position do? When do players advance to attack, and when is it time to retreat to defend? Feel free to be critical and use the match to learn new ideas and explore why some games don't work. What game would you do for a similar situation? How do you imitate your favorite player?
- Players can also check out tutorials, clips, and highlights on YouTube, which can be helpful if you want to know the techniques pro players use when shooting or passing.
- Be a fan of the team or league you love. The more you watch, the more knowledge you learn.
Step 5. Learn the basics of team tactics to become a leader in attack and defense
An important part of the intelligence of playing football is how to work together as a team. While each team has a specific strategy that must be developed together, there are some tactics that apply to all players on any team:
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Close in defense, wide in attack.
This is the basis of all strategies. Players close space when defending and create it when attacking. So, when defending the players approach in the middle of the field and form a solid line. When attacking, you try to break through these walls by widening the defenses of your opponent and your team.
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Follow up on all shots, and force opposing players to react.
Even ordinary shots can lead to goals if your team strafes the opponent with passes and shots. This pressure can damage an opposing defensive formation as players are forced to face their own net when picking up rebounds and find it difficult to clear them to safety.
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Keep the line of defense in shape.
Even if you don't play the offside trap, your team's line of defense should be a straight line. Cracks and holes in the defense when the lineup loses formation. If you're playing defensively, look to your right and left to make sure you're in a straight line.
Method 3 of 3: Developing Talent to the Fullest
Step 1. Try to join and play in the best team
Your soccer playing skills can only be improved by playing as much as possible. However, your progress will be faster when you play in the toughest competitions. Try joining a team that pushes you forward, and if that's not possible, create a challenge for yourself. Join a team in your village, invite teammates to play when you're not competing, and keep practicing alone if no one can accompany you.
If a friend or partner isn't there to help, practice shooting at walls or fences, juggles, and perfecting tricks to trick opponents in the backyard
Step 2. Adjust the body to the position played to maximize the exercise
All soccer players need to train their bodies, but everyone's training needs are different. By adjusting the needs of the position you play with the training you undergo, you can shape your body so that you can play as much as possible and become a valuable asset for the team.
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Goalkeeper:
Focus on strength, reaction speed, and a lean, nimble body that can move in an instant.
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Defensive Players:
Focus on physical strength, both in the upper and lower body, to be able to win all duels on the court. You also need fast sprints and a fit body.
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Center player:
You have to be strong to keep running during the game. Players also need the ability to make quick decisions and high touching and passing skills.
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Front player:
You have to be fast and able to jostle with strong opposing defenders. Players also need to be able to run for long periods of time, roam around the opponent's defensive area and create chances, and win sprints against opponents.
Step 3. Keep moving, even if you don't have the ball
Great football players never stand still. As a defender, you have to keep closing your opponent's space for movement and reaction. As a midfielder, you are constantly scanning the field and moving the ball to open up space in the center of the field. As an attacker, you are constantly trying to trick your opponent, moving and disappearing so that you get out of your opponent's guard. You have to be constantly on the move and keep the field open and dynamic, thus forcing your opponent to guess. You are useless if you just stay silent.
- Keep asking for the ball, even if you don't get it. Ask for the ball as soon as you get close, keep going if you don't get it. You'll be forcing your opponent's defenders to follow you, opening up space in your opponent's defense and creating chances.
- Go wide if you are playing as a winger and a partner is getting the ball. Quick counter-attacks from the side of the field often lead to scoring opportunities.
- If there are no opponents to defend against, fill in the spaces that are vulnerable to attack by opponents. Try to predict the most dangerous passes and guard the area to prevent enemy attacks.
Step 4. Practice seriously to overcome weak points
Practice is a time to cover up weaknesses, and not to impress colleagues. Treat each exercise as a warm-up for the big game, and work hard on each drill and test new moves until your muscles remember them well.
- Play various positions. Develop skills as a striker and defender.
- Focus on both legs. This skill will be vital when competing.
- Play fast, especially in practice. Don't slow down or halfway, even if the defenders aren't putting too much pressure on you.
Step 5. Make decisions as quickly as possible while playing
The scouts and coaches are very concerned about the speed of play of the players. They judge how quickly you receive the ball, scan the field and pass/shoot/dribble. Don't hold the ball too long, and practice quick and intelligent decision-making skills. Here are great ways to practice this skill:
- Pass the ball and keep moving. A few quick touches are usually enough because the ball can move faster than your running speed. The longer you stay in an area, the longer it will take for defenders to close holes and prepare defenses.
- If you're going to dribble, do it quickly instead of relaxing. Make the opponent's defender pressed.
- Aim for a pass that forces the opposing defender to face his own goal. Big passes force opponents to take up new positions quickly, which usually opens holes in their defence.
Step 6. Ask for advice, direction, and guidance on your weaknesses
No matter how good you are at playing soccer, no player is perfect. To win the game of football, the eleven players must be compact. Therefore, listen to the advice of your coach or mentor. Every player has weaknesses that can be overcome, including you.
- Ask your coach what you can do to get better at playing with your coach several times a season. How can you improve your skills outside of practice hours?
- Consider using a personal trainer, especially if you don't have time to practice. If you want to excel at playing, especially in areas without high-level teams, you need special attention.
Tips
- The more you practice, the more your game will improve. There are no shortcuts, only hard work and practice can improve your technical skills.
- Find the wall and start kicking the ball. Practice shooting and receiving the ball with both feet. Don't stay still, keep moving your body while practicing to improve your skills as much as possible.
- Put down some funnels and try to dribble through them to improve your ball control skills.
- Football is a game of deceit, so try to outwit and play games that are hard for your opponent to guess.
- Practice every day. Don't be lazy! Learn how to kick the ball properly, including basic positions and tricks like rainbow flicks and step overs. Your skills will improve over time!
- Don't take your eyes off the ball.
