In soccer, the goal keeper is a designated player with the job of directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by defending the goal. If you’re looking to recruit a goal keeper for your team, remember the bigger the better! Bigger goal keepers can cover more ground in front of the net. It is also important that they are quick and nimble.

Traditional keepers stay close to the goal and don’t wander outside of the penalty area with or without the ball and wind up as part of the attack. Making saves isn’t just knocking the ball out of harms way. If a keeper can hold onto the ball the opposition has no way to score.

When the opposition is attacking, the keeper must be prepared to grab the ball out of the air. The keeper should be standing with their hands by their side and palms facing the ball and feet should be no wider than their shoulders.

Some common catchers goalkeepers will use are:

• The diamond, or W catch: The goalkeeper catches the ball when the shot is wide or over the head of their body. It is vital to get as much of the body behind the ball as possible so that the ball can hit the body and the keeper can fall on it.
• The chest catch: When the shot is right at the keeper, as the ball arrives the keeper should surround it with their arms, elbows must be close together to trap it against the chest.
• The scoop catch: For a low shot or one that is rolling on the ground, the keeper should place their hands on the ground with their palms facing up.
• The full extension dive: This is used when a shot is heading toward one of the corners of the net, the keeper has to extend himself to the fullest making their stride as long as possible with arms extended and away from the face to see the ball as clearly as possible.
• The cross: Going up for crosses is all about timing and confidence. The purpose here is to stop the opposition from scoring a head shot, usually from a corner kick. To get the best possible jump, the goalkeeper should jump off one leg and lift the knee that is facing the play to add to their leap. The keeper should attempt a diamond catch while moving toward the ball.

Dribbling is a fundamental skill that beginning players learn in soccer. Players must think of the ball as an extension of the foot. Keeping the ball close and in control at all times is crucial for all players. Control takes many hours of practice and dedication.

It is important to look up from the ball and know where your opponent is at all times. Dribbling requires staying in control of the ball in case the pressure increases quickly.

Take one step for each touch of the ball. Each touch should be a light tap that keeps the ball in play. Focus on moving towards the goal according to the set plays. Use all parts of each foot to move the ball. Use your toes, the insides and outer parts of the foot and heels. Tap the ball once between steps.

Keep the ball in close proximity, stay within one step with slight movements at all times. Move the ball using both feet to dribble and maintain a steady pace. Think of the ball as an extension of your foot, always keep it close and in control.

Turn by moving away from the opponent and using the inside or outside of your foot depending on which way you are turning.

Players can use their head to change the direction of the ball, make a pass and even shoot the ball to the goal. Hitting the ball effectively with your head will take many hours of practice, be sure to keep practice times short to protect yourself from possible injury.

There are two types of headers in soccer. Use the directional header to control where the ball will go after it comes in contact with your head. To do this you will need to hit the soccer ball with the middle of your forehead or just at your hairline.

Learn the clearing header, this involves hitting the ball with your forehead as hard as possible to keep it away from the defenders. While this method is great for getting out of a tight jam, it can result in the other team getting control of the ball.

Some ways to practice heading the ball include:

• Balancing the soccer ball on your forehead without letting it drop to the ground.
• Bounce the soccer ball off your forehead and straight up in the air.
• Practice hitting the ball higher and higher each time you drop the ball onto your forehead.
• Try bouncing the ball repeatedly on your forehead without catching it with your hands in between bounces.
• Throw the ball into the air and try bouncing the ball with your forehead. Remember to look at the ball as it comes in contact with your head.

In soccer, offensive players can use fakes and misdirection to move defensive players out of the way. Defensive players are taught to always keep their eye on the ball and to anticipate where the ball is going. While body fakes work well, quickly changing the direction of the soccer ball is often more efficient at moving close defenders out of the way. The double touch move quickly changes the direction of the ball so defenders don’t know what to do.

Start by dribbling the ball slowly at first by passing the ball from your right foot to your left foot a couple of times. Then kick the soccer ball quickly from the inside of your left foot to the inside of your right foot.

Hop into the air to kick the ball with the inside of your right foot in order to send the ball back to the left quickly. Practice kicking the ball hard with your left foot as if passing to another player. Instead, you’ll jump forward so that your right foot passes the ball to your left foot.

Remember your right foot should not touch the ground from the time your left foot kicks the ball for the double touch. Add a burst of speed to practice dribbling the ball away from defenders after the double touch.

Switch it up and start the double touch with your right foot. Mastering this skill with both feet may make you a more effective player, so you can perform it no matter where you are on the field.

We have all seen David Beckham’s notorious bend on the ball but how does he do it? What seems impossible to do is actually an attainable skill.

When placing the ball, make sure it sits high on the grass or turf. If you watch professional players, they usually toss the ball into place with a little backspin. This both facilitates a quick restart of play and leaves the ball in a high position so that you can strike the lower hemisphere of the ball cleanly.

The key to bending the ball is how you strike the ball. Depending on the kind of lift you want on the ball, it should be struck somewhere on the lower hemisphere. In order to get the ball spinning, you should strike the ball slightly off centre with a lot of force.

The follow through is almost as important as the strike itself. Although you should strike the ball slightly off centre, the follow through on the kick should carry your leg straight through (and well past) the ball. Good form for a free kick is similar to that of a strong strike on goal: toes pointed, knee and head over the ball. The difference for a bending ball is that it should be played slightly to the side of your laces (instead of straight on for a low driven shot). The side you use depends on whether you use the outside or inside of your foot as well as where you want the ball to bend. For example, if you are right footed and you strike the ball with the outside of your foot, the ball will bend to the left.

It is important to remember that the ball must be hit with a lot of force. What makes a ball spin is its forward velocity as well as the speed of its revolution. With practice, you will be able to gauge how much you should bend the ball and how to position your free kick so that it curls past the defenders and meets an attacking head or foot. A bent ball is also very deceiving for goal keepers, because it can start to go wide and then head straight for the corner.

There are two types of control, receiving and trapping. Receiving means directing the ball into space away from the body. Trapping is stopping the ball right at your feet.

Receiving

Receiving is useful when running into space. Try to make contact with the middle or top part of the ball. Tap it lightly in the direction you want to go. Good soccer players can settle the ball in open space, even when they are under pressure.

Trapping

Trapping is typically used when the ball is going too fast to redirect with your first touch. The important thing to remember here is to try to stay loose and on your toes. You can’t adjust to the ball when you are flat footed. Try to keep your hips open, facing the direction from where the ball is coming. Put your foot in the path of the ball and cushion it.

The easiest way to practice control is with a partner. Your partner can throw the ball to you, after settling it with a single, clean touch, pass it back. If you do not have a partner you can use a wall. Stand about 3-5 meters away from the wall and knock the ball against it. You then trap or receive the ball as it comes back to you. This exercise allows you to work on both your kicking and control.

There are various methods of controlling a soccer ball, they include:

–          Inside the foot: Your supporting foot must be planted 45-90 degrees in relation to the path of the ball. Don’t plant it flat, instead keep your weight on your toes. You should intercept the ball with the arch of your free foot.

–          Outside the foot: This technique is useful when the ball is coming in from the side. Rather than turning your body into its path you can control it using the outside of your foot.

–          Sole of the foot: Simply put your foot on the ball with your toes raised slightly above your heel. Some players use it to stop right before changing direction.

–          Instep: This technique is useful when the ball is falling from a steep angle. Don’t just wait for the ball to arrive, stay on your toes and lock your eyes on it. Before the ball arrives, stretch the ankle of your controlling foot. Try to cushion the ball using the area around your shoelaces.

–          Thigh: The thigh is especially useful when you want to trap the ball. Cushioning the ball with the thigh can be done for both rising and dropping balls. Make sure you position yourself properly before trapping the ball.

–          Chest: The chest provides the largest surface area for trapping or receiving the ball. When using it for control, stretch out your arms and flex your muscles.

–          Head: Set up your body just as if you’re about to head the ball. Instead of heading it, simply intercept its path using the surface area on your forehead.

The defenders on a soccer team are positioned near the team’s goal. There can be two, three or four defenders depending on the coaches chosen layout. The most common layout is to have four defenders – a sweeper, a stopper, a right defender and a left defender.

There are 11 players per team on the field during a soccer game. Coaches will often play around with their on-field line up. The coaches line up often depends on the strengths of the players.

The best kinds of drills you can use to improve your defence are those that simulate game situations. In these drills defenders have to work together to cut off passing lanes. During these drills, coaches should critique how the players move, whether or not they stay on their toes, their patience and if they communicate well. Practicing your ball handling skills also helps as well as juggling with a circle of teammates as it will allow players to practice communicating.

The two on one defence drill involves a defensive player kicking the soccer ball out to two offensive players. The defender will then follow the pass and try to win the ball back. The offensive players will try to score. The player who shoots or loses the ball will rotate to the defensive line. This drill will help players to improve their tacking, passing and shooting skills.

Man in the middle is another drill that is helpful in defensive training. This drill involves five attackers, arranged in a circle and two pressuring defenders. The attackers must keep the ball away from the defenders who are staying inside the circle. If an attacker gives up the ball, then they will become a defender. The defender who caused the attacker to lose will take their role. Man in the middle is a good warm up drill and is simple for all players at any skill level to take part in.

By adding a bend or a curve to a soccer ball, you have the ability to lift a ball up and around a wall of defenders such as on a free kick. Defenders are often unable to stop shots that curve because the ball bends away from them and towards the target. By learning how to curve the ball, you will become a real threat to your opponents and a stronger striker.

Start by standing directly behind the soccer ball. Then take two to three steps back and three to four steps off to the left. You must approach the ball at this angle in order to curve it properly.

Jog towards the ball. Professional players always approach the ball at either a jog or a sprint. This helps to put your body in the proper position and gives the ball the needed lift and velocity after you strike. Place your plant foot about an inch behind and off to the left of the ball and angle your foot toward the ball. This will help you strike the ball in the proper spot and keep you from accidentally hitting the top of the ball.

Strike the ball with the inside portion of your foot at the bottom half of the ball. Aim for the centre bottom area of the ball to achieve optimum lift and curve. Curl your striking foot up and around the side of the ball so that your foot finishes on the top right proportion of the ball. Your toe points toward the target when finished and this motion will give the ball the desired curve.

Finally, shift your body weight toward the target as you curl your foot around the ball. This will help to guide the ball. Shift your upper body toward the target right as you curl your foot so that the ball heads in that direction.

Warming up before playing any sport is important. In soccer, it could be the difference between a great game and causing yourself an injury. Warming up gradually allows players to raise their heart rates and ease their muscles and joints.

A good warm up will help prevent muscle strain and injury and allow players to push themselves during the game. You should start every soccer warm up with some light jogging. This will enable you to warm up your muscles and get your heart pumping. Soccer players should warm up by jogging forward, backwards and side to side. While running straight, gradually increase your speed until you are close to a sprint. Remember; do not start sprinting when your muscles are cold.

Stretching increases flexibility which then determines the motion of your joints and muscle groups. The more flexible you are the better as you can prevent yourself from suffering an injury. At some point in your warm up, stop and stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and groin muscles as well as your arms and back. Be careful not to overextend your muscles when stretching.

Many soccer coaches use dynamic stretching. This is a combination of aerobic movements and stretching. This type of stretching includes movements like leg swings, high kicks, jumping, high knees and back kicks. These moves isolate specific muscles and muscle groups. Focus on exaggerating these moves: pump your arms while skipping or do high skips, take long strides, swing your arms while running. Be sure to do a basic warm up for a few minutes; don’t just jump into dynamic stretching when your muscles are cold.

Try to avoid too much repetition, not only will you be bored but you won’t warm up properly. Try to always work on basic skills such as passing, one touch ball movement, one on one challenges and controlling the ball with both feet but do not do the same exercises every day. By switching up different warm ups and drills you can learn which one is most effective and which are not as effective.

Mental preparation is extremely important on game day. You must be focused and concentrate purely on the game and your competition. Go through your warm ups with precision and focus. Don’t push yourself too hard, but also don’t get lazy and slack off.

Junior soccer training drills help young players to develop the necessary skills which they can then take to the next level. There are many drills that soccer coaches can choose from. Junior players typically need to practice the basic skills of the game such as passing, dribbling, shooting and defending. Here are some training drills you can use with your junior soccer team.

Keep away

Keep away is one of the easiest and most effective drills for teaching players to make quick and smart passes. Coaches set up a small grid with cones, serving as boundaries in which the players stay in. Basically three players are in the grid and there is one defender. The attacking players must pass the ball amongst themselves while the defender attempts to take the ball or break up a pass. The attacking player that loses the ball then trades places with the defender and the game starts again.

Knockout

The knockout drill is ideal for developing dribbling and shielding skills. The entire team starts with the ball at their feet inside a defined playing area. The coach blows his whistle and the players start dribbling around the field. Players must navigate the area, keeping control of their own ball while trying to poke their teammate’s balls away. Players that lose their balls are eliminated and the last player controlling their ball is the winner. This drill is also helpful with teaching young players to keep their eyes up while dribbling and how to shield the ball.

One on one breakaway

The one on one breakaway develops junior attacking and defending skills. The coach splits the team in two, separating players into one group of attackers and one group of defenders plus a goalie. The defenders will get in line behind the goal with the coach and the attackers will form a single file line at the midfield. The coach rolls or tosses the ball out to the first attacker in line. At this point the first defender in line will run out and play defence. The attacker must control the ball and dribble in one on one against the defender before shooting a goal. Players then retrieve the ball and switch places after the breakaway is over.