List of Soccer Skills
Soccer is one of the most popular international sports and takes a great amount of skill and practice to be a competitive player. While soccer is fun at all levels, gaining the skill and dedication to learn the sport properly pays off in the long run. Below is a list of soccer skills which are important to practice when learning this classic game:
Dribbling
Dribbling is one of the most essential ways to move a ball up or down the field in soccer. Being good at dribbling relies on great control over the ball. While dribbling is one of the most essential parts of the game of soccer, many do not know how to dribble correctly. While a pass is usually performed with the inside of the foot, the proper way to dribble is with the front of your foot, laces first. This requires a great deal more control than using the inside of the foot but is much faster getting the ball up the field, and worth the practice. Remember that your legs should not be straight while you dribble, and you should be bending your knees for more mobility and speed.
Passing
Soccer should never be a one man show. Having trust and communication with your teammates is essential, and one of the ways to practice this is passing. Passing is a skill in soccer one never stops using. It is how the ball travels from player to player. There are many ways to pass, but the most standard way is by using the inside of your foot to pass. Different kinds of passing include chipping and lofted passes. A lofted pass is often done by a defender to clear the ball out of the goalie's area. A chip on the other hand, has a shorter length and is done with the front of the foot, while a lofted kick is usually done at an angle with the inner foot.
Juggling
Juggling is a skill that you may not use during a game, but is an exercise most players learn at a younger age. By practicing juggling it gives players a greater sense of confidence with the ball and helps to gain control in both the feet and core. When you work on juggling make sure to be using your thighs, feet, chest, and head.
Fake Out
It's never good to let the opposing team know your plan. A fake out in soccer is a great way to get past the offensive or defensive. One way to do a fake out is by doing a pull-back, where instead of moving forward with the ball, you pull it behind your body and quickly change direction, catching the opposing teammate off guard. You can also fake a pass or kick in the opposite direction before using the other foot to dribble or pass the ball the way that the opposing team is not expecting. Don't let your eyes betray your plan; by looking in the direction you are faking the ball, the other team will be unready for you to change direction.
Shooting
Being able to land more goals than the opposing team is how a team wins the game. Getting the ball past a goalie is a feat in itself. It's great to practice shooting with your goalie before a game. Try to go with the element of surprise when shooting a shot for the goal by shooting with your left foot so it lands in the left hand corner. As most soccer players are right footed, most goalies will dive to the right to block a ball. Have purpose and aim behind your shot so that you can beat the goalie and send the ball into the net.
Bending
While bending the ball is not an essential skill, it can come in handy by airing on the side of the unexpected. This technique uses the outside of the foot and makes contact with the ball right behind the smallest toe. The curve is mostly used when there is a free kick at the goal, as the bend of the ball will catch the goalie off guard. It can also be used while playing but takes extreme skill. When done correctly, the ball will create a curve when kicked rather than going straight.
Headers
As soccer is a no hands sport, using a header at the right time can be a great way to get a ball out of the air and into your possession. Using the top front of the head, you can gain control of an airborne ball by knocking it back down to your feet or by heading it to another player on your team. Be careful when heading the ball and learn to do it correctly in a practice setting before executing it during a game, as a ball to the head could cause serious injury if not handled correctly, or if the player is unprepared. To perform a header correctly, hit the ball with your forehead by striking it, do not let it fall onto your head with force.
Turning
Turning is another great way to keep the opposing team on their toes. By changing your direction with intent, it will wear down opposing players who are trying to keep up with you. There are many different ways to turn while in possession of the ball, and is usually used to avoid the other team stealing the ball. Learning to turn while dribbling is a great skill all soccer players should know. By doing quick turns you keep the opposing team guessing, and have more time to make a pass or take a shot.
One Touch Rule
Practicing the one touch rule is a training exercise in which players learn to utilize their time when they have the ball. It easily translates to gameplay, as it trains player's in quick thinking and precision, and makes it so that the opposing team doesn't have time to gain control of the ball.
Goalkeeping
Most soccer teams have players who are designated goalies or keepers, but on more amateur levels, often the role of goalie is interchangeable. The goalie is the only position on the field where using one's hand is allowed. It is no easy feat to have balls flying at you, especially when you are the last line of defense. It's important to practice as a goalkeeper to raise your confidence in your ability to block and save the ball from making a goal. Be prepared for the opposing team's trickery with some of the skills listed above, such as faking out or shooting to the left side. The keeper must learn to read the player's body language and use it to their advantage when defending the goal. Keeper's should also be good at clearing a ball with their feet by doing a lofted kick, effectively getting it out of their zone.