How to Play Good Soccer

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This article was co-written by Walter Merino. Walter Merino is a youth soccer coach and co-founder of Ole Soccer Club located out of Los Angeles, California. He teaches football to children from four years old to high school and college students. Walter played for college football teams like Cal Ppy Pomona and Los Angeles Mission Cplege. His accomplishments include coaching Olé Soccer Club to the 2017 Cal South State Cup and the 2007 Governors Boys Division title.

There are 17 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

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No one is born with soccer skills. Football players have to practice for many years to improve their health and defects. You can run very fast but not strong enough, good at corner kicks but not very good at passing the ball. However, your skills will gradually improve if you practice diligently. You can become an excellent soccer player by practicing some exercises every day.

Table of Contents

Stretch and prepare before exercise

To avoid injury, you must stretch for about 10 minutes before you start playing any sport, including soccer.

Do lunges, crunches to touch the toes of your shoes, and the like. Remember to focus on the hamstrings and calves because football mainly uses the feet and shins.
If you don’t stretch, you run the risk of serious muscle injury and having to take days, weeks, or even months off play.
After playing, you also have to stretch your muscles to ‘cool down’ the muscles instead of stopping playing and resting immediately.

Techniques for manipulating balls

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Practice receiving the ball. Find a wide wall of brick or concrete. Kick the ball into the wall at a position about 1m above the ground. When the ball bounces back, you raise your foot so that the ball hits your foot and falls to the ground. Do this exercise for 10 minutes every day. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Remember not to kick the ball, but just raise your foot to the position where you guess the ball will bounce back so that it automatically hits your foot.
When you want to stop the ball rolling on the ground, put your foot on the ball to hold it.
With each exercise you should start near the wall. You will move further away as you start to feel better on the ball. By the time you complete the exercise, you must stand at least 10 meters away from the wall.

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Juggling with the ball. Even the best player takes years of practice to master the ball. However, it’s a great way to practice ball manipulation and improve foot-eye coordination. Place the ball on the instep so it doesn’t fall, then kick your foot so the ball goes up. When the ball falls, you kick it back up with the other foot. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Remember to kick the ball at the center of the instep. If the ball makes contact with your foot in the wrong place, it can either land in your face or out the opposite side. The goal is to keep the ball about 30cm away from the body.
To keep the ball from flying away, you should bend your knees high when kicking the ball. Straightening your legs will cause the ball to fly away.
Do this exercise for at least 10 minutes every day. In the beginning, you usually only juggle 1-2. Keep trying and your skills will improve gradually. Try to touch the ball at least 10 times before stopping the exercise.

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Start practicing dribbling. Find an open space with a good floor, or use the backyard. Practice kicking lightly on the ball to guide the ball around the perimeter of the field. Before dribbling the ball, remember to stand on the top of your foot (not on your heels). You should use light kick so that each touch only sends the ball about 30-60cm away. Do this exercise for 10 minutes or until you have dribbled the ball around the field a few times. ^{[3] X Research Sources}^{[4] X Research Sources}

Although players often use both feet to kick the ball, they will choose one foot as the starting foot. It is usually the dominant foot, that is, the foot is on the same side as the dominant hand (right-handed uses the right foot, etc.). This exercise will help you realize which foot is the right foot to kick the ball.
The non-dominant leg will be used as the supporting leg to keep the body balance. While dribbling, you must keep your non-dominant foot relatively close to your body, or you may accidentally kick the ball farther than expected.
As your dribbling skills get better, you try to look upwards. You tend to look at the ball while dribbling, but in the game you have to look ahead and look around. There’s a chance you’ll trip over the ball and fall, but over time you’ll get used to not looking down at the ball.

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Adjust the ball to go in different directions. Although you can dribble to the left or right, you can’t turn the ball too hard if you only use the instep. This is when you have to use the soles of your feet. Initially you will dribble normally about 3 meters. When the speed is fast enough you get a little ahead of the ball and use your dominant foot as the pivot foot to block the ball, then it will bounce back in the direction you want. ^{[5] X Research Sources}^{[6] X Research Sources}

The direction you want to swing the ball will depend on where your feet are placed. For example, suppose you kicked the ball with your right foot, you would block the ball with the inside of your foot to turn the ball to the left, and use the outside of your foot to turn to the right. If you use your left foot to kick the ball, you will block the ball with the outside of your foot to turn the ball to the left, and use the inside of your foot to turn to the right.
If you just want to change the path of the ball then block the ball and keep your feet steady. If you want to make a big change in the direction of the ball, use your foot to block the ball and kick it lightly in the direction you want the ball to move.

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Dribble around obstacles. Find a set of tactical talons and line them up in a straight line, each spaced at least 1m apart. Start dribbling around the obstacles. If the club is on the left side, use the inside of your right foot to lightly kick the ball. Kick hard enough for the ball to roll to the left of the next cone. If the obstacle is on the right, use the outside of your right foot to lightly kick the ball. Make sure the ball rolls to the right of the next cone.

These instructions are the same for the left foot user kicking the ball, except that you will be using the other foot to kick. For example, if the obstacle is on the left side, use the outside of the left foot to kick. If the obstacle is on the right side, use the inside of your left foot to kick.
You also need to train with your non-dominant foot. That’s how you can control the ball with both feet.
After knitting the ball through the line of the tactical talons, you can change the position of the talons. Place them in a zigzag pattern or randomly place them on the field.

Enhance other skills

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Pass the ball to a teammate. There are two main types of passes in football, the smooth pass and the high pass. The slurry is used most often and is usually used when the transmission distance is short. Ask teammates to stand facing you at a distance of 6 meters. To pass the paste well, you must use the inner or outer cheeks of the dominant foot, not the tip of the foot. ^{[7] X Research Sources}^{[8] X Research Sources}

The foot post is not in the direction of the pass, right next to the ball. Then swing your dominant leg back with moderate force. When your dominant foot moves towards the ball, you must aim the ball with the inside of your foot and keep kicking the ball to make sure the ball goes correctly.
The goal is to pass the ball to a teammate without bouncing the ball. A good pass is where the ball will roll to a teammate’s position without bouncing.
Pass the ball back and forth. Practice passing the ball for 10-15 minutes every day. Make sure to pass the ball to the correct teammate position because you have to pass the ball correctly during the game. During practice, you can increase the passing distance from 6m to 12m.

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Pass the ball farther. The long pass is also an important passing technique. You must pass when your teammate stands 15m or more away from you. Instead of using the inside of the foot, you will use the instep. Ask teammates to stand at least 15m away from you. Take a few steps back behind the ball for more kick. ^{[9] X Research Source}^{[10] X Research Source}

As you move to the ball, place your non-dominant foot next to the ball in a similar way to a pass. Swing your dominant leg back with maximum force.
When your foot is about to come into contact with the ball, you must use the instep of your foot to kick. This move will create the kick angle and push needed to let the ball fly the farthest.
Continue to adjust the passing force. You probably don’t need to use all your strength to successfully make a long pass, but you must try to be as accurate as possible. Continue to practice passing with teammates for at least 10 minutes a day.

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Prevent defenders from reaching the ball. When you are playing in the game, the defender will try to get close to steal the ball. To prepare for this situation, you need to practice with your teammates. At first you will dribble normally on the field, then your teammates come and run beside you. Your teammate’s goal is to tackle the ball at your feet, while your goal is to protect the ball at all costs. ^{[11] X Research Source}^{[12] X Research Source}

The best way is to position your body in the right posture. If the defender runs to the left side then you move the person to the left to block them.
You can also use your elbow to gently push them away. However, do not swing your arms straight to push or push too hard, or you may get a yellow card.
Do this exercise on a distance of 6-10m. You can then dribble back and forth to get a feel for both offense and defense.

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Corner kick practice. When the ball goes out of the goal line, a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team. The purpose of the corner kick is to bring the ball into the goal. Place the ball in the corner of the court close to where the ball went out. If you’re practicing, you can take a corner kick at any angle. Take a minimum of three steps back so you have enough space to gain momentum. ^{[13] X Research Source}^{[14] X Research Source}

Start running towards the ball. When running close to the ball, you put your left foot to the left of the ball. Swing your right leg back with maximum force.
You must use the inside of your right foot to kick the ball, this position will help the ball follow a curved trajectory towards the goal.
Repeat this exercise several times until you find the right kick force and distance. Ask a teammate to come out and catch the ball to put it on first, or receive the ball and shoot it at goal.

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Practice scoring goals. There’s no better way to practice scoring than playing a real game, but you can practice alone or with a teammate. Standing about 11 meters from the goal, is the distance of the penalty kick. Use the high pass technique as if you were “passing the ball” into the goal. Step back 1-2m to gain momentum. ^{[15] X Research Source}^{[16] X Research Source}

Run towards the ball. Place your non-dominant foot on one side of the ball. Bring your dominant foot back for the strongest kick. When you bring your dominant foot down, you must aim to kick the ball with the instep.
Aim at a position of the golf ball to kick the ball. Try to hit three shots in a row at a particular spot of the goal before moving to another spot. You can ask a teammate standing at the goal to be the goalie for a more realistic situation.
Kick the ball to different positions on the field. Vary the power of your shot depending on how far you want to pass the ball.

Perfect your soccer skills

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Play head ball. The first team skill is often used when your teammates take a corner kick. To practice the headband, you ask your teammates to stand about 3 meters away from you. They will hold the ball up high towards your head. Start by standing with your head straight, which means you’ll get ready to stand and lean back slightly as the ball comes toward you. When the ball is about to hit your head, tilt your head back a little. ^{[17] X Research Source}^{[18] X Research Source}

Hit the ball directly with your forehead. Use your forehead to support the ball when the path of the ball is perpendicular to the body. For example, don’t wear your head if you’re leaning back or leaning forward too much. Only support the ball with your forehead when your head is in a normal standing position.
Do the jump to the top in the same way, except that you will jump. While jumping, lean back and tilt your head forward to touch the ball. Use your forehead to support the ball when your head is in the normal position, and when your body has reached the top of the jump.
Do 10 reps for each of the tops and top jumps. You should not practice wearing your head too much because over time, your head can be damaged by concussion.

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Use your shoulders as a pose. This is probably the simplest move you can do, but very effective. Dribble forward about 3-6 meters. When the ball is close to the defender you tilt your shoulder to the left as if you were going to run there, but you will turn the ball 45 degrees to the right with the outside of your right foot. ^{[19] X Research Source}

You can do the same for the opposite side. Pretend to tilt your shoulder to the right, then turn the ball 45 degrees to the left with the outside of your left foot.
The defender will think that you are going to run in that direction and be fooled. After you complete this move, continue to dribble past the opponent.
Ask your teammates to act as defenders. Practice until you complete this pose at least 10 times.

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Make a Cruyff turn. The purpose of this move is to make the opponent lose his balance and not be able to stop you. To practice, you dribble about 3-6 meters to gain momentum. Then you pretend like you want to pass the ball to someone else. Place your non-dominant foot about an inch in front of the ball, then swing your dominant foot back as if you were going to kick the ball. ^{[20] X Research Sources}^{[21] X Research Sources}

Instead of kicking the ball, you use the inside of your dominant foot to touch the ball. Kick the ball to the side, behind the non-dominant foot you stood before.
Rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on which foot you use to kick the ball. Locate the ball and continue dribbling in the new direction.
To practice, you ask a teammate to try to block and steal the ball. Keep this turning technique a secret to see if you can trick them. Remember, this move is only effective when the defender is in front of you. If they are behind you then the ball will go straight to their feet.

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Practice one-leg inversion. Like the Cruyff turn, the purpose of this move is to catch the opponent off guard. For practice, you will dribble about 3-6 meters to gain momentum. Place your left foot to the left of the ball, about one foot away from the ball. Swing your right foot back as if you were going to kick the ball. As you bring your right foot down, swing your right foot around the ball clockwise without touching the ball. ^{[22] X Research Sources}^{[23] X Research Sources}

After you’ve turned your legs, rest your right foot on the right side of the ball. Bring your left foot back and kick the ball to the left.
To trick your opponent into moving to the right, you rotate your right foot around the ball and kick with your left foot. To trick the opponent to move to the left, you rotate your left foot around the ball and kick with your right foot.
You can also practice swinging your legs by swinging your right foot around the ball first, then doing the same with your left foot. After the two legs are reversed, you support the left foot and use the right foot to kick the ball to the right.

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Use the Zico Cut technique. This technique allows you to outwit the opponent defenders and get past them. Initially you dribble about 3-6 meters to gain momentum. Place your right foot to the right of the ball, about a foot away from the ball. Then use the outside of your left foot to touch the right side of the ball (now both feet are to the right of the ball). ^{[24] X Research Source}

Maintain ball control with your left foot as you rotate counterclockwise, moving your right foot with your body.
After you have rotated 360 degrees while maintaining control of the ball with your left foot, you will continue to dribble. The opponent will be fooled and run to the opposite side.
You can also do this move in the opposite direction. You just need to support the left foot while maintaining control of the ball with the right foot. Rotate your body clockwise 360 degrees along with your left foot. Continue dribbling after turning.

Advice

Run with the forefoot to improve sprinting speed.
Regularly organize small matches with friends.
You should warm up before practice or competition.
Pass the ball to teammates in the back if you have a lot of blocks in front of you.
Play as a team and pass the ball to others when they are in an easier scoring position.
30 minutes before the game, eat a banana to avoid cramping while playing. Properly distribute your strength during the match so you don’t get cramps or lose strength quickly.

Warning

Always drink enough water to avoid fainting. If you are seriously injured, you need to call an ambulance right away.
Remember to observe the surrounding space to avoid accidentally hitting another player.
When wearing your head, remember to touch the ball with your forehead instead of the top of your head. Overuse of the head-wearing technique for a long time can cause damage to the brain.

Things you need

Sleeve Protector
Indoor/outdoor spiked shoes
Water
Protective helmet (optional)

Steps