Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Dealing with a football
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Nobody is born with good football skills. It takes years to improve both your strengths and your weaknesses. You can be fast, but not very strong; good at corners but not very good at passing. But with a lot of practice, your level will gradually increase. With a few exercises to do every day, you can eventually become a great soccer player!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Dealing with a football

1. Protect the ball from a defender. During a soccer game, the defender tries to come to you, pressurize you, and take the ball. To prepare for this, find a teammate to practice with. First you just start dribbling on an empty field. Your teammate then starts running next to you and his doom is to take the ball, while your goal is to protect the ball whatever it takes.
   • The best way to do this is to use your body properly. If the defender comes from the left, turn your body to the left to block the defender.
   • You can also use your arms to push the opponent away. However, do not straighten your arms fully and do not be aggressive, as this can lead to you getting a yellow card.
   • Do this exercise for about 10 feet. Then you can switch roles with your teammate to practice both attacking and defending.
2. Take a corner. If the ball goes over the back line via a defender, the other team gets a corner kick. The goal of a corner kick is to deflect the ball towards the goal. Place the ball in the corner closest to where the ball went over the back-line. If you are practicing, you can do this in any corner of the field. Take at least 3 steps back so that you have enough room for a run-up.
   • Start with your run-up. When you get to the ball, put your left foot to the left of the ball. Swing your right leg all the way back.
   • When you kick the ball, make sure to hit it with the top left of your right foot. This creates an arc in the course of the ball so that it deflects towards the goal.
   • Do this again and again until you find the correct distance and power. Find a teammate to try to head the ball into the goal, or accept it and kick it into the goal.
3. Hit the ball with your head. Headers are usually used when a teammate takes a corner kick. To practice the header, you need a teammate about 3 meters away from you. He throws the ball underhand at your head. Start the exercise with a standing header. This means that your feet remain on the ground. Lean back as the ball comes towards you. As the ball approaches, move your head back forward.
   • Hit the ball exactly with your forehead. Do this while your head is in line with your body. So don't hit the ball while leaning back or forward too much. Hit the ball when your head is in the normal upright position.
   • To do a jumping header, do the same as before, but this time jump first. As you jump, lean back. Move your head forward to hit the ball. Hit the ball with your forehead when your head is upright and you are at the highest point of your jump.
   • Do both the standing and jumping header ten times each. It's important not to do this exercise too often, as you could end up with a concussion.
4. Fake movement with your shoulder. This may be the easiest move you can perform, but the effect is enormous. Dribble the ball forward about 5 meters. The moment you run into an opponent, tilt your shoulder to the left, as if you were about to dribble in that direction. Then tap the ball at a 45 degree angle to the right, with the outside of your right foot.
   • You can do the same in the other direction. Tilt your shoulder to the right. Then tap the ball at a 45 degree angle to the left, with the outside of your left foot.
   • The defender will think you will go one direction and will be misled. After this move you dribble past the defender.
   • Have a teammate pretend to be a defender. Practice until you have managed to dribble past him or her at least 10 times.
5. Master the scissor movement. Like the Cruijff move, this move was designed to mislead your opponent. To practice, dribble forward about 5 meters to gain speed. Place your foot on the left side of the ball about 12 inches from the ball. Swing your right leg back as if you were about to kick the ball. When you bring your right leg down, swing your right foot clockwise around the ball, without hitting the ball.
   • Once you've completed the swing, put your right foot on the right side of the ball. Take your left foot back and kick the ball to the left.
   • To make the opponent think you are going to the right, swing your right foot and kick with the left. To make the opponent think you are going to the left, swing your left foot and kick with the right.
   • You can also perform a double scissor motion by swinging your right foot around the ball first, then swinging your left foot. Once you've completed both moves, put your left foot down and kick the ball to the right with your right foot.
6. Do the Zico move. This move ensures that you put your opponent on display and you can quickly pass him. Dribble the ball forward about 5 meters. Place your right foot on the right side of the ball about 12 inches from the ball. Then hit the ball on the right side with the outside of your left foot (both feet are now on the right side of the ball).
   • Control the ball with your left foot as you rotate your body counterclockwise and move your right foot with your body.
   • After you have completed a 360 degree circle with your body, while maintaining control of the ball with your left foot, start dribbling again. Your opponent is misled and thinks you want to dribble in the other direction.
   • You can also perform this move by going the other way. Put your left foot down while you keep control of the ball with your right foot. Turn your body and your left foot clockwise until you have completed a 360 degree circle. Then proceed to dribble.

Tips

• Run on the balls of your feet to improve your sprint speed.
• Practice with your friends and also play small matches with them.
• Stretch and stretch before exercising and playing in competitions.
• Pass the ball back to the back if there are too many people from the opposing team in front of you.
• Be a team player and pass the ball when a teammate is more likely to score a goal.
• Eat a banana 30 minutes before the match so you don't get cramps. Restrain yourself during the game so you don't get cramps and get out of breath quickly.

Warnings

• Always stay hydrated. You don't want to pass out. If you have an emergency, call the emergency number right away.
• Pay close attention to your surroundings. You don't want to accidentally hit another player with the ball.
• When practicing heading, make sure you hit the ball with your forehead and not the top of your head. If you perform many headings in succession, you can damage your brain.

Necessities

• Shin guards
• Indoor and outdoor shoes
• Water
• Helmet (optional)