Intro
Do you have what it takes to be a world class soccer goalie? Although the goalkeeper's job seems simple (keep the ball from going into the goal) it requires a unique set of skills and attributes. Luckily, the fundamentals of goal keeping are simple and can be learned with a little dedication and a lot of practice. Here are a few tips that are bound to improve your goalie game.

1. Don't be afraid to try. Many of the best goalies will go for every ball, even the ones they just know they won't be able to stop. Although the most conscientious goalie won't stop every ball, if you always give it a try, you will likely surprise yourself occasionally with an unexpected save.

2. Communicate. As in so many other areas of life, good communication skills are the key to being a successful goalie. The goalie often has the best vantage point from which to view the field, and from this perspective they can direct the defense to play more efficiently.

3. Stay alert. Even when the ball is in play at the other end of the field, the goalie should be completely alert and involved in the match. This type of vigilance will also improve your reaction time when the ball does come your way.

4. Learn to handle the ball. Think ball handling drills are for the other players? Think again. Although you may not spend a lot of time dribbling, a goalie has even more need to practice than the other players. Not only does a goalie have to punt the ball accurately, they also need to catch the ball and punch the ball when it is coming at great speeds.

5. Practice sprinting. Being fast doesn't come naturally to anyone; it is only with great practice that the speediest players on the field become so swift. While the goalie doesn't have to run from one side of the field to the other the way a forward night, they have a very unique need for speed because they are the only player who can cover their rather large area. Being able to sprint up to twenty yards either straight or at a diagonal can make the difference between a great goalie and a mediocre one.

6. Have a great attitude. It's easy as a goalie to view every score as a personal failure, but nothing could be more destructive to your morale. Conversely, many goalies feel that they have little to do with their team's offensive victories. Every soccer expert will tell you that the goalie position is crucial to the team's success, and that they often set the tone for the entire team. This is one position where having a great attitude can have a huge effect.

Summary
Are you ready to try your luck at this crucial part of the soccer team? With good reflexes and a little practice, anyone can learn how to be a great goalie. All it takes is dedication and time to become the hero of your team.

How important is passing and receiving the ball? Team work is essential to soccer, and the most common way of working together is through moving the ball between players, usually by passing and receiving. This makes these maneuvers two of the most important skills in the game of soccer. Here are a few ways to improve this essential soccer skill.

Use dynamic soccer drills
How many times have you watched a soccer practice in which two players stand still and kick the ball back and forth? Unfortunately, this is not a skill you will see used often in a soccer game. When players pass the ball while playing soccer, both parties are moving, often at high speeds. For this reason, players should practice passing and receiving the ball while jogging and running instead of while standing. Once players have mastered this, have them try moving through a cone course while passing the ball back and forth.

Learn to use both feet
All soccer players have a favored foot and a favored side, but this leaves them at a huge disadvantage in fifty percent of the passes that they will be involved in. Training to be able to use both feet with speed and accuracy is crucial to improving your game, so make sure all drills include using both feet and both sides equally.

Communicate
More important than any one skill is the ability to communicate, both on and off the field. No one can receive a ball gracefully if they don't know it is coming their way, and many passes are ruined by a moment's hesitation as the players wonder whether they are correctly understanding the game plan. Players who practice together on a regular basis should be able to read each other's cues with accuracy most of the time. If this is a problem, the team can work out a signal, such as a nod or wink, to signify that the ball is about to be passed.

Don't play favorites
Every team has a player or two who shows more skill than most of the other players. Although it might make sense to funnel the ball to the more skilled players whenever possible, it is rarely a good practice in actuality. Not only is this highly destructive to team morale, it encourages the better players to become arrogant while allowing the less skilled players to slack off. Good team work is more important than any one player, so make sure everyone gets to be the star sometimes, in both practice and games.

Summary
You may have noticed that drilling has a key role in all of these tips. Indeed, drilling is the most accepted way of learning to pass and receive, but it is essential that the drills involve good teamwork, good form, and movement. Coaches can demonstrate the proper technique and then critique their players as they execute the drills. With a little teamwork and a lot of practice, solid passing and receiving can become one of your team's advantages on the field.

When it comes to soccer, defense is at least half of the game. A well coordinated and skilled defense team can keep the other team away from the goal and consistently move the ball to the offensive players. Unfortunately, defense tends to get neglected in favor of the more exciting offensive game. Whether you are a soccer coach who needs a new strategy or a fullback who wants to step up your game, here are a few defensive 'basics' that even pros forget occasionally.

Be aware at all times
Even if the play is happening far from your third of the field, just watching the players around you can give you an idea of any upcoming plays the opposing team is planning. Watch the ball, watch the players, and watch the coaches. Not only will you be more likely to catch any surprise moves, the other team will be less likely to try them if they know you are alert and on task.

Pay attention to your position
When playing defensively, a successful player always stays behind the ball. Always get behind the ball on defense, and try to stay between the ball and the goal. This will make it easier to move the ball to your forwards.

Be predictable
The opposing team likely doesn't know your unique style of play, but your teammates should. When in doubt, be consistent and take the same course of action you would execute in practice. Not only will a familiar play be more successful, but your teammates will be of more assistance if they can accurately predict your next move.

Make the opposing players act recklessly
One simple way to do this is to make a quick step toward them, then stepping to the side. This doesn't obstruct or threaten the player, but it usually makes them move quickly, and often without sufficient forethought.

Take your time
If making the other players act without thinking gives your team the advantage, your acting quickly will have the opposite effect. If you have possession of the ball, do not be intimidated. Maintain a bubble of space and concentrate on buying time until you can think of a rational play.

Prevent the other team from scoring
This is the heart of the defensive game. Although this sounds overly simple, it can be done, even by one player. It's difficult to stop a goal once the player with the ball is in position, but you can definitely keep them from getting into that position in the first place. If your opponent has the ball, position yourself in a way that keeps them from turning toward the goal. If they are already facing the goal, stay so close they have no room to shoot. Only give them room to move toward the sidelines.

Summary
A defensive player's job, in short, is to keep the ball as far away from their section of the playing field as possible. This will relieve the goalkeeper and allow the forwards to score more often. Practicing these tips and techniques until they become second nature can turn around a lackluster defense and completely revolutionize even a good team.

Intro
Are you wondering which soccer position is right for you? Are you a coach who is looking for a set of rules to help you build a more effective team? While there are no hard and fast laws for choosing the right soccer position, each has a unique set of necessary qualities that can be used to find the right player. Here are the most common positions as well as the particular qualities they require.

Fullback
These defensive players are usually fast players who are good at marking. They are able to focus on several activities at the same time and can watch the ball as well as the opponent they are guarding.

Defensive Midfielder
This position sees a lot of action, so the player should have incredible stamina and be able to pass and receive with accuracy.

Offensive Midfielder
The offensive midfielder is a well rounded multitasker whose key role is to get the ball to the forwards. On a crowded field with opposing players at every turn, this can require some tricky footwork and an impressive bag of tricks. Offensive midfielders are good at controlling the ball and able to "think outside the box" to achieve their goal.

Outside Midfielder
Also known as a "winger". These players have to move the ball great distances and are usually skilled at the dribbling and crossing this requires.

Forward
This position requires a good runner and a great ball handler. They often have to outrun and outmaneuver equally skilled defensive players, and to get the ball past a goalie who is watching them like a hawk.

Goalkeeper
The ideal goal keeper has superior reflexes and an even better attention span. They must be able to see through the trickiest plays and be prepared for surprises. This is a position for a very intelligent player, but because of the high physical demands of the position they must also be extremely fit.

Still stymied by the different soccer positions? There are a few other things to consider whether you are a player looking for a place to use your unique gifts to their best advantage or a coach placing players in the positions. First, the position a player prefers is not necessarily the one in which they are the best--in fact, it rarely is so. Therefore, one complication is that both one's preferences and one's abilities have to be considered when choosing a position. Also, the requirements for each position change from team to team.

The beauty of soccer is that there are a diverse number of skills needed and therefore a place for every type of player. Becoming the star soccer player you want to be may be as simple as making a 'resume' of your strong points and matching it with the qualities needed by each position. However, no amount of contemplation will replace actual experience on the field. Indeed, the best way to find the particular position that is right for you is to give several of them a try and see where you have the most success. Many of the most successful soccer players tried several different positions before finding the one that was right for them.

Are you ready to lead your soccer offense to victory? Whether you are a player, a coach, or a concerned parent, the first step to a great offensive game is to understand what traits and behaviors make the difference between an average forward and a superior one. Here are the seven key qualities of the very best offensive players and a few lessons you can learn from them.

1. They pay attention to the big picture. A good soccer player knows what's going on in every section of the field, not just their third, and nowhere is this more important than offense. Most scores are made opportunistically--that is, the player who made the goal was simply taking advantage of an opportunity. If they hadn't seen the opportunity, they wouldn't have been able to benefit from it.

2. They support their teammates. No one can be the hero all the time, which is why great forwards always position themselves to maximize their teammates' chances of scoring. They give their teammates options and help create a bubble between the ball and the opposing team's defense. You will notice on the field that the better players are not necessarily the ball hogs.

3. They think ahead. You'll see it in that quick glance around before making or collecting a pass. Great offensive players know what they are going to do with the ball before it even comes their way.

4. They are aggressive. When a great offensive player has the ball, they keep their elbows out and use their entire body to protect their space. They scare away the opposition by dribbling right toward them. There is no room for meekness in the game of soccer, especially not in the offense. Don't confuse this spirit with flat out violence, however; a would-be good player is useless if they are out of the game due to a red card.

5. They keep it simple. A good offensive player is not the one with the most complicated moves and fakes, but the one who can consistently get the ball past the goal keeper or assist another player in doing so. Leave the fancy footwork to "Dancing With The Stars".

6. They know when to hold back a little. When a great forward is surrounded, they will play the ball back until help arrives. After all, if you have a whole team of great players, help is just a few seconds away. If the odds are clearly against you, there is nothing to gain from taking unnecessarily gutsy moves, and there is a lot to lose from this recklessness.

7. They always show up to practice on time. A good forward is not always the player with the most inborn skill, but they are usually the one who is consistent and dogged in their practices. An effective offensive player has the confidence and capability that only practice and drilling can produce.

As you can see, the qualities of a successful forward are all skills that can be taught by good coaches and learned by dedicated players. Although coaches think they want the team with skill and experience, the team that will always win is the one with a great attitude and a mindset that leads them to success. You too can be a highly effective offensive player if you are willing to take your game to the next level.

Do your practices seem lackluster? Has your team's improvement decreased? Here are a few ways to liven things up and make soccer practice the dynamic and educational time it should be.

1. Use practice games instead of drills at least half the time. Drills are a good way to learn, but there is more waiting than learning. Soccer players love playing soccer, so why not use this to your advantage? The key is to keep the numbers low and to focus on one new skill every game. A bonus of using practice games is that there are no lines; all of the players can be active and involved.

2. Practice at 'game speed'. Drills tend to slow down as the kids focus on learning the new skill. This hobbles the soccer players on the field, where they suddenly have to perform the same skill at a high speed and under pressure from the competition. Keeping practice drills at game speed will prepare the team for the realities of game play and give them the confidence to apply their new knowledge on the field.

3. Allow each player to touch the ball at least 500 times per practice. This is especially important on teams with a wide variance in skill level. The kids who need to practice most often don't get the opportunity and as a result they reinforce bad habits and never make the improvement they need to succeed. Practices should be as fair as possible to allow each player maximum opportunities for improvement.

4. Emphasize good technique and form. If the player learns to play with these two key skills, the goals will follow naturally. More important that getting the ball in the goal is learning how you can get it there every time. Also, good form prevents injuries and cuts down on penalties.

5. Praise attitude, effort, and improvement. These are even more important than any athletic gifts, because a player with these qualities will be able to learn and apply any particular skill. Praise in a concrete way that compares the players' performance to their past performance and not to each other. No one should feel they are competing against their own team mate.

6. Have at least one ball per player. You can provide the balls or have players bring their own, but having one ball per player cuts back on waiting and other unproductive time. The players should be busy and touching a ball for most of their soccer practice.

7. Make it fun. This is, after all, just a game, even if it happens to be the most popular game on the planet. Games are supposed to be fun and teach qualities such as teamwork and discipline, not create another source of stress in an overscheduled kid's life. Take the emphasis off winning and losing and place it instead on improving with every game and having fun in the process. Every player is a winner if they have learned just one thing from a practice or a game.

How important are throw ins? You will find that your team uses this vital skill at least several times a game. Because this is a play you will be using often, it's worth a little bit of practice time to perfect it.

Why Are Throw ins Important
Many soccer teams find they are using 25 or more throw ins per game, so it makes sense to work on this skill. Learning the proper form will increase the speed and distance of the ball and avoid calls from the referee for bad form. Most important, a powerful, correct throw in can mean more goals for your team.

Basic Throw Ins
The most basic facts players need to know about soccer throw ins are the rules. The player doing the throw in standing facing the field with one hand on each side of the ball, and they throw the ball forward onto the field. Both feet should be on the ground either on the sideline or behind it, and the player should throw the ball toward the opposing team's goal.

Advanced Throw Ins
Have your team practice this skill a few times during practice. Once they know the basics of throw ins, it's time to work on the more advanced details. Now is the time to work on strategy and form. As the player is throwing the ball, their elbows should be sticking straight out on the sides and the ball should go behind their head. This will give the throw more power. As the player throws the ball, they should follow through completely and snap their wrists. Last, they should throw the ball high as well as far, over their opponent's heads. This will keep the opposite team from taking possession of the ball as well as keep the player from inadvertently raising a foot.

Common Errors
There are a few common mistakes that will result in the other team being given a throw in. One is lifting a foot from the ground. The feet should stay firmly on the ground until the ball has left the player's hands. Another mistake is favoring one hand. Both hands should be used equally to propel the ball. Last is not pulling the ball all the way behind the head. This will not incur a penalty, but it will decrease the speed and length of the throw dramatically.

Soccer drills for success
Many teams benefit from drills in which they line up and practice throw in form without a ball. Once they have the form just right, they can try the skill with a ball. Emphasize correct hand placement; the thumbs should be pointing upward and the fingers should be several inches apart. As the player throws, they should be continuously looking at their target.

Summary
With these tips, your team should be expert throwers within a few practices and reaping the rewards they deserve. Learning to make a good throw can increase goals and decrease penalties, which is why this is one skill that should never go neglected. Practicing throwing in will give your team the confidence they need to excel on the field.

Intro
Sometimes an effective soccer defense is not just about skill, but about having a set of plays to fall back on in tough situations. Because plays can be practiced until perfect in the relative calm of practice sessions, they can be the key to success on the soccer field. Here are a few defensive plays that are sure to beat back the other team's forwards and give your team the edge it needs.

Marking
This refers to closing in on one certain opponent and keeping them from passing or receiving the ball. This is especially effective if a skilled defensive player is assigned to mark one of the opposing team's key forwards. This makes it very difficult or even impossible for that star player to get anywhere near the ball, much less make a score.

Pressuring the Ball
This is a term that describes the way a defender should relate to the ball, especially as it nears the goal. Simply put, the defensive players need to crowd the ball. Even if they don't successfully take possession with this strategy, they can keep the opposing team from making a goal by blocking the pathway. It is crucial that players using this strategy always stay between the ball and their goal, severely limiting the opponent's options. If other defensive players are marking the other opponents, the player with the ball will eventually lose possession. This play is most effective if another defensive player backs up the one pressuring the ball. Even if the opponent gets past the first player, they will not make it through both players.

Double teaming
This particular play is related to marking, except it involves two defensive players. This play effectively forces an opponent to go in the direction in which you want them to go. One defensive player approaches from the left (or right), forcing them to turn directly into the other defensive player. This usually leaves only one avenue of escape open--the one you have left open for them.

Closing down lanes
Just like closing down lanes of traffic forces drivers to take the only lane open, closing down lanes in soccer severely limits the opponent's options. This play is executed by blocking the ball carrier from his support. If two or more support players are 'closed down', the ball carrier is very vulnerable to defensive approach. Because they cannot pass the ball, the ball carrier's only choice is to change their strategy or to lose the ball, or in the best scenarios, both.

Summary
These four defensive plays are used with great success by every professional team. On their own, they are a successful and well rounded set of strategies that can build an effective defense. Used in conjunction with other plays, they can be the foundation of a great defensive team. They offer options for fullbacks presented with a skilled offense and a seemingly inevitable score. Every soccer player can be a great soccer player if they have practiced plays that will save them when the pressure is on.

Every soccer player from the seasoned pro to the smallest children needs to know the essential defensive skill of marking. Many coaches would agree that it is the single most important play in the game of soccer. But what is marking? Marking is a basic soccer technique of making an opponent unable to pass or receive the ball. While many soccer beginners neglect this skill in favor of actually handling the ball, it is one soccer strategy that can turn a string of losses into a solid record of wins.

Beginning Marking Drill
Fortunately, marking is not a difficult skill to learn. In its most basic form, marking is simply following the person you are marking--but following them closely and relentlessly enough to restrict their ability to play soccer. To practice this, sort your players into pairs and have them guard each other. Explain that it is the job of the 'mark' to get away from his marker and the job of the marker to stay with him as long as possible. This is an easy drill because it requires little space and absolutely no equipment, not even a ball.

Marking and Switching Drill
Once your team has got the idea, it's time to introduce advanced marking skills. Begin having the paired teammates switch being the mark and the marker. Every minute or so, yell "switch!" This is a realistic representation of what happens in many soccer games as the ball changes possession repeatedly. It's important that your players understand the need for the repeated switching.

Advanced Marking
Once the players understand the switching maneuver, it is time to introduce using the marking technique while a ball is in play. This can be a challenge for many new players because their inclination is to watch the ball and not their mark. However, not only will using a ball during marking practice break them of this habit, it will allow them to understand how switching occurs with the change of ball possession. One easy drill that will get this point across is having the kids do the switching drill, but with the mark having possession of the ball. As with the switching drill, have the pairs switch every minute or so.

Applied Learning
Once soccer players are showing proficiency in marking during these soccer drills, begin introducing them to the practice during practice games. Remind defensive players that marking is their job. But don't limit marking drills to the fullbacks; the forwards who will often be on the receiving end of marking need to understand the play as well. Once athletes can use marking effectively, they will find that it is a concrete way to prevent the other team from scoring. A few tools like this under their belt and nothing will be able to stop them! Marking is one skill that can singlehandedly revolutionize your team's play and turn around a dismal game record. Because the drills that teach marking are easy and require no special equipment, this is one play that no soccer team should be without.

In this article I have outlined 8 tips that you should bear in mind while coaching your team. As a soccer coach your life is already full with different barriers that you must overcome. Hopefully, this article will help you a little bit on the way.

1. You should have a team assistant who will help you with the uniforms, paperwork, and other game/practice related schedules. This is more important than you may think because sometimes you will be pretty tired and being a coach requires a lot of energy.

2. As a coach you should be able to encourage your players to work hard as a unit. Do not allow any renegades because these players think that they are more important than the whole team. I have experienced this problem several times during my soccer carrier and these players tend to influence very negative on the whole team. Remember, soccer is a team game, not a solo sport.

3. You must always get to your practice session on time. If you don't show up on time then how do you expect your players to do that? You need to statue a good example as the players will follow your behavior.

4. Never yell at your players! Always try to use a calm voice. I know by experience that all players hate when the coach is yelling at them. Sometimes it can be necessary; however, this should not become a habit.

5. Your players need to know their positions on the soccer field. It is therefore very important for you to clarify their duties on the field. Don't let your players run around like a bunch of chickens. Keep in mind that you must always have a tactic for how your team will play.

6. A yearly progress report about each player will be very useful for you and the player. This will make it easier to create a plan on how to develop each of your players. You should not over praise a player's performance as this could make the other players think that he is worth more than them.

7. Always keep in mind that you should have fun whilst coaching. If you want to succeed as coach you will also need to enjoy your work. It is like any other job, if you don't have fun then you will not either perform any well.

8. If you make mistakes, then make your players aware of that. Don't pretend like you know everything! We are not more than humans, and we all make mistakes.