Practice Makes Perfect

Season is over, lost in a shootout but had a few cold ones to make everything better. No one likes losing a game on any level no matter how many millions you’re paid or how many bucks you spend to play, a player goes onto the pitch with winning on the mind. One thing I have learned over the years is to take the advice from others, many will think when you are being screamed at during a game by your very own teammates is in a negative way but it always boils down to the passion a player have that comes off as screaming. But, there are a few things that anyone can take advantage of to better yourself as a player and team.

Many playing recreational do not have time to practice as a team but that does not mean you don’t have time to work on yourself. Go for a run to keep yourself conditioned and practice on dribbling a ball around in a field or backyard, set some cones up and practice passing through them or make yourself a circuit. Be sure to work on juggling the ball, this will not make you a better player by being the best juggler but it will improve your touch on the ball.

Know the positions of the soccer team, if you don’t know where or what a players position is you will be forever confused. Learn the lingo, its called a pitch not a field.

When attacking a ball go for the ball, don’t be afraid to go into a tackle and don’t just stand there waiting for a reaction because you will be left in the dust. Another alternative is jockey the ball, this is running with the player slightly in front of them, you move along with the player keeping the ball between the both of you while shutting down any passing lanes available.  

But most of all make sure you have centre mid who can control the ball, many people get together to make a team and always have forwards and defenders but always forget to have a centre midfield that can receive and distribute the ball and is able to control the games. This sounds like a tall order, but a player like this will improve your team and improve you as an individual by playing structured soccer.