Walter Merino
Soccer Coach
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Co-authored Articles (28)
How to Play Soccer: Skills, Rules, Positions, and More
Soccer (known as football outside of the US) is an action-packed team sport with simple rules and minimal equipment—no wonder it's the most popular sport in the world! Ready to get out there and start playing? Read on ...
How to
Shoot a Soccer Ball
Shooting the ball with power and accuracy is an important skill for any soccer player to have. The best way to develop proper technique is by practicing. A good shot includes judging the situation on the field as well as...
How to
Knuckle a Soccer Ball
The "knuckleball" is when the ball does not spin as it flies through the air. Spin is what gives a ball stability as it at moves, and without it your shot will snake through the air, changing directions suddenly and maki...
How to
Curve a Soccer Ball
Kicking a soccer ball is not always as straightforward as you might think. You can add an element of surprise to your kicks by making the ball curve in mid-flight. By kicking the ball with varying amounts of spin, it is ...
How to
Inflate a Soccer Ball
A properly-inflated soccer ball can make a world of a difference in a match. Too little air pressure and the ball won't fly as far or as straight. Too much air pressure and the ball might burst, and definitely won't feel...
How to
Dribble Like Lionel Messi
Lionel "Leo" Messi's ability to keep the ball in close to his body and change direction explosively is why he's widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation. If you want to learn how Messi dribbles, yo...
How to
Understand Offside in Soccer (Football)
Despite being one of the shortest of the seventeen Laws of football, the offside rule, Law 11, is probably the most misunderstood of all. The law dates back to secondary schools in the 19th century, which created it to s...
How to
Understand Soccer Assistant Referee Signals
On the field, the assistant referee's job is simple: assist the referee. Whether by calling an offside or directing a throw-in, the referee relies on the assistant's input. It is just as important to understand the assis...
How to
Choose a Soccer Position
Unless you’re playing a pickup game with friends, you probably aren’t going to get to choose your position on a soccer team. This is almost always the coach’s job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t practice and w...
Easy Ways to Get Good at Soccer
Skills & techniques to practice to be the best soccer player No one is born with soccer skills. It takes many years to improve both your strengths and weaknesses. You could be fast but not very strong; good at corner k...
How to
Do a Bicycle Kick
Back to the goal, out of position, well-defended, you receive a perfect crossing pass. Hope is not lost. From Pele to Wayne Rooney, many of the greats have stymied goalies with a well-timed bicycle kick that redirects a ...
How to
Score a Penalty
Sometimes, the game comes down to a single play. If you've got the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net on a penalty kick, you're sitting pretty. Unfortunately, most penalty kicks that fail are not the resu...
How to
Be a Good Soccer Defender
As a soccer defender, your primary job is to keep the other team from scoring – but a good defender does so much more than that. You provide vital information to your teammates on the field. You pressure opponents into...
How to
Dribble a Soccer Ball Past an Opponent
Dribbling past a defender is tough, but also thrilling—it’s an opportunity to take on your opponent head-on and pull out your best moves. Practice as much as you can to perfect your moves and become the strongest att...
How to
Repair a Soccer Ball
Do you want to repair your favorite soccer ball after it's been damaged? This article will show you how to get the task done using a few standard supplies. With just a little time and effort, your soccer ball will be goo...
How to
Kick Like Cristiano Ronaldo
CR7 is one of the greatest to ever play the game. Other than his teamwork, crazy dribbling skills, and on-field strategical smarts, one of the most notable things about Cristiano Ronaldo's gameplay is his free kick techn...
4 Training Tips & Tricks for Soccer Wing Players
Playing the wing position in soccer? Follow these tips to be the best!Fast. Agile. Dependable. That's what it takes to be a soccer wing player. The winger position is all about taking wide attacks. These players are on e...
How to
Do an Around the World in Soccer
Though an around the world trick may look difficult and confusing, it’s actually not. You only need to follow a few simple steps to learn this awesome soccer trick. It may take a little bit of practice before you maste...
A Complete Guide to Soccer Positions, Roles & Numerical Designations
An in-depth look at the different positions on the soccer field and how each one works If you're not familiar with the game of soccer, it can look a bit chaotic at first. After all, any of the players can move anywhere ...
How to
Score Goals in a Soccer Game
Scoring in soccer is about patience, hard work, and a little bit of luck. It usually takes the exact right set of circumstances to create goals, and creating these circumstances can be controlled. Here's how with these s...
