Soccer Tips 1 - Juggling, Not Just for Clowns. Juggling may be the most important skill in perfecting your skill as a soccer player. It easily increases settling the soccer ball, getting a better first touch, and trapping the ball. It will ultimately help for better control of the soccer ball.
1. Try throwing the ball high above yourself and trapping the ball before it touches the ground. This is key for many set plays such as Free Kicks and Corner Kicks. As this becomes easier limits the amount of touches you have to settle until you can settle the ball with one touch and have it securely in your possession on the ground.
2. Use you feet to get the ball off the ground when juggling. This allows more control for the ball. The more touches with the feet the faster ball control will come.
3. When juggling set small goals. Try putting a minimum of juggles per attempt. Put limits such as only use your feet or only thighs. You can get even more complicated and only use left legs or right legs. These small goals are key when becoming a well rounded soccer player, especially when you do not have to rely only on your right foot for every task.

Soccer Tips 2 - LIMIT YOUR TOUCHES. The worst thing you can do as a soccer player is be a ball hog. It's almost counterintuitive to develop such a high control of the ball just to find out that getting rid of the ball is more beneficial to the team. Try to draw opposing players away from where they want to be, but don't feel like you have to take on the team yourself. Once you beat one player either look for the goal or one of your teammates; either way get rid of the ball. You can practice this by playing keep away and have a two or three touch limit on the ball.

Soccer Tips 3 - SHOOT! The only way to get some points on that score board is putting the ball in the back of the net. The best way to get the ball in there is putting the ball where the goalie isn't, Duh! But that is just the point. Most goals don't come from players ripping shots as hard as they can, but players being aware of the goal and goalie. Coming down either touchline of the pitch it is best to shoot for the far post; but be aware, that the goalie is thinking the same way. Watch for his actions and see if he is favoring one side than the other, look for an opening and go for it. Balls low to the ground or the upper 90's are generally the best places to shoot for, anywhere but the goalies hands is preferable. A weak shot but great placement is always better than a powerful shot that misses the goal completely.

Soccer Tips 4 - Corner Kicks. These kicks are like gifts from the other team where a defensive error occurs. When taking these kicks try to keep the ball away from the six yard box where the goalie can easily grab it in the air unless it's on the ground. Try having your teammates crash the goal from the surrounding 18 but make sure it is planned out. Don't have a spot not covered because of poor communication. Always have someone stay at the top of the crest of the 18 just in case the ball pops out and keep someone far on the other touchline if the ball over shoots the 18. MOST IMPORTANTLY there should be a whistle at every corner kick. Either a whistle because there was a goal or because you were too aggressive and fouled someone, don't leave that free kick, kicking yourself because you didn't try hard enough.

Soccer Tips 5 - Defense. Everyone on the team will be in a situation where defensive tactics are needed even if you are not playing a defensive position. Try not to stab. Begin quick to make a tackle is what everyone expects and being off your toes is going to get you beat. Stay calm and force the other player to make the first move. To do this use your surroundings to your advantage. Force the opposing player towards an endline or touchline to reduce his options. Don't give the player a lot of space to play with, but don't feel obligated to steal the ball immediately. Be aware of his other teammates as well as your own. Forcing the other player to make a pass to someone who is already covered is a win even if you don't get the ball. But if the player gets rid of the ball your job isn't done. You still need to cover the player you were already defending because he is now potential for a pass. If the player thinks he can beat you and tries to get around you remember this: either the ball gets past you or the player never both. You can't lose if he looses possession or the ball, you still win.

Soccer Tips 6 - Working off the Ball. If you feel like you are not receiving or ever getting to touch the ball maybe you are not working off the ball. This idea is basically putting yourself where it would be beneficial for the team to give you the ball. There are many ways to do this.
1. Support, Making yourself available in a position where you are not covered and is generally behind the player with the ball. This gives the team more time as not to make a hasty decision. Always let someone know if they can drop it back to you for support, communicate.
2. Overlap. This is when one of your teammates is shielding the ball and you make a run from behind going forward down the field. If you make a run like this it will put more pressure of the opposition but be sure to have someone look after your spot especially if it's a defensive position.
There are many more ways to get the ball. Lose who ever is defending you and make a run, diagonals and backwards runs are always great and unexpected, just get creative.

Links
Gifts for Soccer Players

Everything Soccer

Stay tuned for more Soccer Tips!

AddTips.com - 1000's of TIPS on eveything you can imagine.
If you have tips to share, please add them to our site!

AddTips.com