There aren’t many soccer training programs that can actually say that they can improve your soccer ability – until now. Recently we came across Epic Soccer Training. Epic Soccer Training is compiled through over 15 years of experience and has taken over a year to put together.

It contains a thorough method which covers the following aspects of the game:

• The right guidance
• The right preparation
• The right training

The program is recommended for soccer players, parents, and coaches.

Improve Your Soccer Skills with Epic Soccer Training is a post from: How to become a soccer player

I’ve been watching the Women’s World Cup this year after not taking much of an interest previously. I must say, if you haven’t taken an interest in Women’s soccer, and especially the Women’s World Cup – you owe it to yourself to do so. The technical skill on show, particularly from the likes of Brazil and the United States is a joy to behold. It’s clear to see that where the women’s game lacks in its pace and physicality, it more than makes up for in terms of technique.

Megan Rapinoe’s sublime first touch which took her away from the pressuring defender and into space, allowed her to take a strike at goal, and what a strike it was, now that’s how you strike a soccer ball! However, without that quality first touch, the strike wouldn’t have been on. Megan set herself up very well indeed.

And what about Marta’s performance for Brazil? The way she danced around the Norwegian defenders as if they weren’t there, doing two step-overs and then tucking the ball away to the Goalkeeper’s near post – that was a great goal and a highlight to watch over and over again for young soccer players who want to become a better soccer player.

The Women’s World Cup is a post from: How to become a soccer player

Dribbling when performed at a very high level is a wonder to view. When the top professional soccer players in the world are dribbling at full speed it’s a joy to behold. They weren’t just born with the ability to dribble though, they’ve perfected it after years of practice, and, if you want to become a soccer player, you’ll have to practice too. There are no shortcuts.

When people think of dribbling in soccer, they often think of the flair players like Messi, Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho. All of these players have one thing in common – to become the dribblers that they have, they started with the basics of dribbling a soccer ball, and progressed from there.

The Basics of Dribbling in Soccer

• Dribbling is not kick and run. The ball should be kept close to your feet.
• You should touch the soccer ball with each step you take.
• Lift your head up.

Become comfortable with the basics and you’re ready to move on to the more advanced aspects of dribbling:

• If there’s space on the soccer field dribble into it, if there’s not, pass the soccer ball. It really is that simple.
• Learn to dribble with all parts of your foot. Dribbling is about controlling the ball. Being able to do this with the instep, your laces, or the outside of your foot gives you greater control and helps you to become a better soccer player.
• Practice dribbling with both feet. We don’t always get the chance to dribble in soccer with our stronger foot. Utilizing our weaker foot and making it as strong as our other foot is essential.
• Use your body to protect the ball. When a defender comes to challenge you need to dribble with the foot furthest away from the defender.

So, how can you practice dribbling? You should start with a tennis ball. Practicing dribbling with a tennis ball will get you used to controlling the ball and making constant dribbling motions. A soccer ball in comparison should seem much easier.

The most important part of dribbling? A soccer player’s first touch. Taking a positive first touch into space sets you up for either a pass or a dribble. Once you’ve taken that touch, make sure to look up. If there’s space, dribble into it, if there’s not, pass the ball to a team mate.

The Basics of Dribbling a Soccer Ball is a post from: How to become a soccer player

Recently added to the site are two new pages:

• Soccer resources
• How to become a soccer player FAQs

Have any questions related to becoming a better soccer player that we haven’t answered? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Soccer Resources and FAQs is a post from: How to become a soccer player

It is said that tackling in soccer has become something of a lost art. In the 1970s through the early to mid 1990′s, the game of soccer was a lot more physical. Now, teams are relying on their technique and speed to win soccer games rather than their willingness to be physical. So, is there still room for tackling in soccer, and if so, is it necessary to know how to tackle in order to become a soccer player?

If you look back at all the successful teams, from international games through club games, the successful teams have always utilized a defensive midfielder. This player may not receive all the accolades, but his job is an essential one. It is this player that sacrifices for the team. It is this player’s job to win the ball, and when done effectively, the player has a huge impact on a game.

Read more information about performing a soccer tackle, and how timing is a crucial part of this process.

The Correct Way to Tackle is a post from: How to become a soccer player

Heading applies to both offensive soccer, and defensive soccer, but they both require different techniques. We recently published pages on:

• Attacking heading
• Defensive heading

You should also check out our page on striking a soccer ball.

Defensive Heading – New Page Published is a post from: How to become a soccer player

There are many things that help you on your way to becoming a soccer player which are the fundamentals of the game. These include:

• Receiving a soccer ball
• Passing a soccer ball
• Heading a soccer ball
• Shooting a soccer ball

If you want to become a soccer player, there is one thing that coaches of all levels look for, and that’s the player’s first touch. The first touch a player takes is vital, and sets up all of the following moves for themselves, and their team mates. Think about it for a second, if a team has the chance to break away, and the players first touch is negative, or they stop the ball dead, then the team has just lost a great opportunity.

Another vital aspect of a player’s first touch is keeping the ball moving. When players receive a soccer ball, they should always be aware of the pressure around them. This means the player’s touch needs to go to the side away from pressure. If a player is being pressured, and a player’s first touch goes toward pressure, the likely outcome is losing possession of the ball. Taking the touch to the side keeps the ball and defenders moving.

All soccer players need to have a good first touch, regardless of what position they play. A defender so they can take the ball away from danger, midfielders so they can retain possession of the ball and set themselves up for the pass, and strikers so they can beat defenders and set themselves up for the shot.

Academies and youth teams of professional soccer clubs work very heavily on technical ball work, with emphasis on improving the first touch of all players. When watching the professional players, take note of their first touch, they very rarely lose the ball with their first touch.

With a first touch a player should be able to:

• Avoid pressure
• Retain possession of the soccer ball
• Take up open space if it’s there

Working on first touch in soccer could transform an average team into a good team, and a good team into a much improved team. This is something players can also do on their own, and with practice, can help them tremendously.

The First Touch in Soccer is a post from: How to become a soccer player

Heading a soccer ball is a fine art. There are some soccer players who could stand to learn how to head a soccer ball much better, and they would become much better players because of it. Can you imagine – a player with the skill of Lionel Messi, the pace of Ronaldo, the strike of Wayne Rooney, and the heading ability of Alan Shearer. What a player that would be.

It is said that heading a soccer ball is a dying art. There aren’t the powerful center-forwards that there used to be, but that’s because the game has changed. However, a team who plays with a striker up front who is capable of heading a soccer ball very well, then it changes the dynamic of a game of soccer. Instead of just having to compete against players on the ground, defenders have to be physically strong in the air.

Physical, strong soccer is not necessarily the best to watch, but it can be very effective. That’s why if you want to become a soccer player, you need to be able to compete in the air, and be able to head a soccer ball.

Be sure to check out our section about receiving a soccer ball.

Heading a Soccer Ball is a post from: How to become a soccer player

When you think of the likes of Pele, Alan Shearer, Roberto Carlos, you instantly think of goals – lots of goals. Those players scored for fun, because they practiced like no-one else. They perfected their technique and it paid off. Remember, you can’t become a better soccer player if you don’t practice.

Our newly published page about How to Strike a Soccer Ball teaches you about the differences between striking a ball from long range, in and around the penalty area, and from close in. You can also watch some videos of goals scored by the players we just mentioned.

How to Strike a Soccer Ball – New Page Published is a post from: How to become a soccer player

Thanks for taking the time out to read this post. We hope this blog and this site encourage, inspire, and help you in your goal to become a better soccer player.

We’ll be adding content every week, and we already have two pages published:

Receiving a Soccer Ball
Passing a Soccer Ball

A New Site to Help You Become a Better Soccer Player is a post from: How to become a soccer player