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If you’re committed to becoming an top level soccer player, you’ll always look for ways to improve your game. And in a sense, your development as a soccer player will never really end. There will always be new techniques, strategies and moves to learn. There are always weakness to correct.
The greatest players always find something to improve in their game. The best players always went to learn new soccer skills and moves. Even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo want to learn new skills or improve upon different aspects of their game. Take Messi, who's now trying to become an expert dead ball specialist.
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Amateurs practice until they get it right - pros practice until they can't get it wrong.
There’s a constant influx of new soccer information across the Internet, as people share their soccer experiences and lessons learned. For those who are eager to add a new twist to their play, pick up another soccer skill, then this is the spot where you can access the most recently added soccer tips and tricks.
Soccer Training Ground
In the videos below, world class players like Kaka, Robinho, and Ibrahimovic show you how to make those crucial passes and do those amazing moves or tricks.
To start, let's take a look at some keys for young players who are moving from the youth level to the elite level, and eventually want to take that next step and become a professional soccer player someday.
In soccer though, the same rules that apply to a small sided game on a Sunday afternoon, or a youth soccer game, are the same rules that apply in a English Premier League or La Liga match that is at a 100 mile hour pace. Rather, the same rules should apply if you want to become a top soccer player. It's about respecting the game.
What are those rules to follow at every level of soccer? Play one and two touch soccer. Play crisp passes. Change of pace when you do a move and want to dribble by someone. Play hard all the time no matter who you're playing against. Go to the soccer ball. Ask for the ball. Play the way you're facing.
Soccer is a Simple Game
Soccer is the beautiful game but it is also a simple game - the two work together. The simpler the game the more beautiful it is. This simplicty and beauty is clear when you see Barcelaon play their tiki taka passing game. Where Barcelona string sometimes twenty or thirty passes together and the other team's lucky if they possess the ball for thirty minutes of the game.
The beauty of the game is seen when goals are scored after five or six one and two touch passes. Think Spain in the 2010 World Cup with Xavi, Iniesta, and David Villa working together to keep the ball and then produce the game winner. These three players combined for some incredible goals during the tournament and helped their country win the World Cup for the first time.
How do you make the game simple? First, you have to have perfect control of the ball with both feet and all parts of your body. You're able to receive a ball and control it with your right foot, your left or your chest and so on. So accomplishing this comes with practicing juggling and smacking a ball again a wall so your touch is sharp. First touch is key in soccer.
Next, you have to play the ball quickly and know where your teammates are on the field - it's all about playing the ball in one or two touches. Playing the ball and moving into space. Pass and move is a refrain that's heard at an under 13 practice in Iowa and at a Real Madrid practice coached by Jose Mourinho. The ability to play one and two touch soccer comes with playing on a daily basis, whether it's with friends or at your team's practice.
Thirdly, you have to have that extra ability to make things happen, whether it's a talent for dribbling, crossing, making that killer pass, or playing defense. Top players have some skill that sets them apart from all the other players. It could be the skill and willingness to take players on in the attacking third - an ability to beat players on the dribble. Think Cristiano Ronaldo. Think Robinho. Or, maybe it's the ability to make that long diagonal pass across the field. Think Xabi Alonso or David Beckham. Or maybe it's the ability to whip in a cross after beating your man down the line. Think Arjen Robben. What skill do you have that sets you apart from everyone else? What skill do you love to do that you can perfect?
And finally, you have to be fit. If you're not in shape you can't make those runs or passes when the game moves into the last ten minutes. If you're not fit then you can't keep possesion of the ball in the later stages of a game or score that game winning goal. If you're not feet you just won't be sharp and will make mistakes. Getting in shape is crucial for all soccer players - it's a must.
In the end though, it's all about desire and passion. The desire to win. A passion for the game. The desire to work for your team. The desire to get better every time you step on the field. The passion to play soccer day in and day out so you keep getting better. If you put the work in on the practice field you'll see rewards in the games.
Raise Your Soccer Game
Below are some links to other pages that will give you some tips and ideas on how to improve your game and reach the highest level possible in the game of socccer:
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