| One of the great attractions of soccer is the | | | | isn't needed to learn how to control the ball. The only |
| simplicity of the game. Anyone can quickly | | | | requirement is a soccer ball and desire. |
| understand the objective and the rules of the game. | | | | This is one of the great appeals of soccer, it is a |
| Simply stated the objective of the game is to score | | | | sport that can easily be learned by practice and |
| goals by putting the soccer ball into your opponents | | | | dedication anywhere in the world without any |
| goal more often than your opponent puts the ball | | | | expensive equipment or facilities. |
| into yours. | | | | The second skill set is learning to control various |
| Each team is allowed to have eleven players active | | | | kicks. These can be practiced by simply kicking the |
| on the field at a time. The names of these positions | | | | ball against a wall or practiced with one of your |
| are: center, left wing, right wing, left midfield, center | | | | friends. Accurately kicking the ball to make passes to |
| midfield, right midfield, left defense, right defense, | | | | your teammates as your run down field is essential |
| center defense (also known as stopper), goalie, and | | | | to getting your teammates into scoring position. |
| sweeper. | | | | The best way to practice the different ball handling |
| When playing soccer you may not use your hands to | | | | techniques is to practice each specific skill over and |
| make contact with the ball, only your feet, your | | | | over until you've mastered that technique. |
| body or your head can be used to contact the ball. | | | | A basic kick to master is to learn how to curve the |
| The only exception is the goalie who may use their | | | | ball past an opponent or past the goalie. How you |
| hands to defend the goal by catching or blocking the | | | | execute the curve kick depends on what direction |
| ball. The goalie may also use their hands for various | | | | you want to curve the ball. |
| throws. | | | | To curve the ball to the left you will kick the right |
| Soccer is a relatively simple game and the basics are | | | | side of the ball with the inside of your foot. This will |
| easily learned, however the skills take lots of practice | | | | add spin to the ball that will cause the ball to curve in |
| to master. | | | | flight. |
| There are three basic skill areas that must be learned. | | | | To curve the ball to the right you will kick the left |
| The first of three skills is ball control. Ball control | | | | side of the ball with the outside of your foot. |
| means to be able to take control of and keep control | | | | Practice curving the ball until you can curve the ball |
| of the ball in a variety of situations as you move the | | | | past your friend consistently. |
| ball down the field. This includes controlling the ball | | | | The final skill to learn is dribbling. You can practice |
| while running and while being defended by your | | | | your ball dribbling skills easily by learning to dribble the |
| opponent. | | | | ball a straight line marked on the ground. Then set up |
| The basic skills can be learned and practiced in the | | | | a course using cones or other obstacles and practice |
| comfort of your own backyard. Special equipment | | | | dribbling around the cones or obstacles. |