| Although it may seem to a beginning player that | | | | opponents, usually either by faking or by finding |
| soccer requires a wide and diverse range of abilities, | | | | weakness in their techniques. |
| all you really need for a superior game is three basic | | | | This really boils down to dribbling skills, which are easy |
| soccer skills. However, mastering these skills requires | | | | to practice alone. You can practice dribbling the ball in |
| intense and regular soccer training, both alone and | | | | a straight line or set up a more complicated course |
| with a team. Here are the three primary skills | | | | with cones or other obstacles. You can practice |
| required by soccer and easy ways to perfect them | | | | fakes by making the ball appear to be going in one |
| in your own backyard. | | | | direction before quickly moving in another. |
| 1. Ball control | | | | 3. Handling the ball |
| This means being able to take and keep control of | | | | One skill that all successful soccer players have in |
| the ball in a variety of situations, including while | | | | common is the ability to accurately kick the ball. This |
| running and while under pressure from an opponent. | | | | means knowing the three main kicking techniques, |
| One of the best ways to master ball control is to | | | | which are the push pass, the curve, and the instep |
| work against a wall. Kicking the ball against the wall | | | | drive. The best way to practice ball handling skills is to |
| and responding to its rebounding will allow beginning | | | | use a large number of balls and work on one |
| players to get used to the way the ball responds to | | | | technique at a time |
| their foot movements. | | | | Once you have mastered these three main skills, the |
| 2. One on one plays | | | | rest is just details. The key to learning the |
| Whether you are an offensive or defensive player, | | | | fundamentals of soccer is regular practice, both as a |
| your interactions with the opposing team will be the | | | | team and on your own. Practicing these soccer basics |
| key to your success on the soccer field. For | | | | at home will allow your team to focus on team |
| defensive players, the most important one on one | | | | building and working as a coordinated unit at practice. |
| moves are blocking the other team's offensive plays | | | | With no special equipment and no coaching required, |
| and taking possession of the ball. For offensive | | | | there is nothing standing between you and the |
| players, this means being able to get the ball past | | | | soccer success you deserve. |