Whether you are new to playing soccer and want to become the next Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo, or a parent whose kid wants to learn soccer, you will need a few but very important tips that will help you along the way.
As a parent, we want to support our kids in whatever sport they want to play. We want to give them opportunities to learn and become better players in the sport they want to pursue.
If soccer is what your kid loves to play, then you are on the right page! Make sure you’ve bought them training soccer balls. Soccer beginners have so much to learn, but we got them all covered here!
Tip #1: Always have a plan
Whether you are on the practice field or in a match, planning ahead will give you a better chance of succeeding. Playing the game without a clear plan will slow you and ultimately your team because you will only be making and devising things as you go.
When practicing, it is important to know precisely what and why you are doing each drill. This can help you get a better understanding of the areas you need to improve and develop.
To give you a clearer picture of what we are talking about, think of an instance when you were training on penalty kicks. Did you think about what the goalkeeper was going to do, or did you think about where you wanted the ball to go?
If you want to improve your skills on penalty kicks, then you should start thinking about which direction you want the ball to go rather than focusing on the goalkeeper's next move.
Tip #2: Train hard even without the ball
Just as it's important to train and work hard with the ball at your feet, so is without the ball. Playing soccer is more than just receiving a pass. That is just the small part of the game—the tip of the iceberg.
It is also important to work your best on getting position because this will open up the field for your team, and will likely increase your team's number of successful possessions or completed passes, which gives your team the opportunity to score and less opportunity for your opponent.
Tip #3: Set your focus on defense first
Although putting in more work on defense rather than offense is tough for beginners, it can actually make one better on both defense and offense.
Why do you think that is?
It's pointless to score goals if you can't play defense. A good defense can lead to one of the best offensive chances, if not the best. So if you can play defense, you can counter your opponent and make a goal.
One of the best ways to develop good teamsmanship is through defense. Isn't it the best feeling in sports when you know that you have succeeded in a tough task as a team? Have you noticed that among the professional teams in soccer, those with the best defensive "chemistry" are usually, if not always, near the top of their leagues' rankings?
Tip #4: Immerse as a team
Many players, not only in soccer but in almost all sports there is, put most of their energy and focus on what they need to work on as "individual players" rather than working on becoming good team players.
But being a good team player and understanding your coach's strategy will actually give you an opportunity to improve more quickly. The earlier you realize this, the better.
Tip #5: You have to want the ball
You were probably nervous on your first soccer game unless you were born to play this sport—but news flash: no one was! We all have to start somewhere. As a beginner, you will feel more nervous when you have the ball, and your instinct will immediately tell you—no, ‘shout’ may be the right word for that—to swiftly pass the ball to more skilled players.
But this kind of mentality is what will keep you from improving! It's okay to be less skilled or unskilled when you're only a beginner. Like we've said, we all have to start somewhere.
The most important thing is, as long as you won't shy away from the ball and keep wanting it at your feet, you will get better in no time!
Conclusion
While it's good to want to be the best soccer player—of course, who wouldn't?—this doesn't mean you should be putting too much pressure on yourself. It is still important that you are enjoying the game while you are also learning. The first step in developing yourself into a better player is recognizing and improving your weaknesses.
Learning with a winning mindset will help you learn better and quicker. Having this mindset will encourage you not only but your teammates as well.