Q&A for How to Get Better at Soccer

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  • Question
    How can I improve my soccer skills?
    Walter Merino
    Soccer Coach
    Walter Merino is a Youth Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of Ole Soccer Club based out of the Los Angeles, California area. He has coached youth from the age of four to the high school and college levels. Walter has played collegiate soccer for Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Mission College. His accomplishments include coaching Olé Soccer Club to win the 2017 Cal South State Cup Governors Boys 2007 Division title.
    Soccer Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try to practice every day. The more time you spend with a soccer ball, whether it's playing games or doing drills, the better you'll become.
  • Question
    What kinds of food make your body strong?
    Community Answer
    Foods high in fiber and lean proteins make for a strong body. Also be sure to stay hydrated with water consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
  • Question
    Do I need to train to be better?
    Community Answer
    Of course. You have to practice anything you want to get better at.
  • Question
    What about if I have a big match in front of me and I can't let my team play without me because there are not enough players and I got injured and have back problems?
    Community Answer
    As hard as it may be, put your career/future health as your priority. One game can hardly be more important than that.
  • Question
    How do I improve my endurance?
    Community Answer
    Run about a mile every day and keep improving your time. You can also try running on hills to further improve your endurance.
  • Question
    How can I get past defenders?
    Community Answer
    Practice dribbling and ball control first, and use those skills to bypass the defenders. If there are too many of them, you should pass the ball to another player, and let him cross it over for you.
  • Question
    How can I get better at soccer if I get nervous and my teammates don't pass?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your coach and teammates about passing, and keep practicing so you feel less nervous on the field.
  • Question
    How can I keep a soccer ball from getting past defense?
    Community Answer
    Communicate with other defenders and put pressure on the attackers, but don't dive in.
  • Question
    How do you curl the ball?
    Community Answer
    If you want to curl the ball normally, hit it on the side with your inner or outer foot. If you want to curl it during free kicks, hit the bottom side with great pressure for more curve.
  • Question
    My parents don't want me to play anymore. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Ask them why they don't want you to play and try to find a compromise.
  • Question
    I want to be the best soccer player in the world. I'm not that good, but I love the game. I am 13 years old. Do I still have a chance to fulfill my dream if I work hard?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Follow your dream and work hard. Join your school team or a team in the community where you will have a great coach to help you get better.
  • Question
    How can I shoot better?
    Community Answer
    Practice a lot and increase your leg strength for more power. Remember to hit the center of the ball with your shoelace.
  • Question
    How can I become a good soccer player if I don't have a lot of skill?
    Community Answer
    It's not only about the skill. If you are an offense-minded person, work on creating chances and provide beautiful crosses. If you are better at defense, work on developing a strong body and good decision-making tackles. Skills are not everything, your passion is what counts.
  • Question
    How can I kick a ball higher when I have a free kick?
    Community Answer
    What you want to do is put your tip of your toe right underneath the ball to give it more height. Try practicing your free kicks on a field by yourself.
  • Question
    How can I get stronger?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what you want to strengthen. Physique wise, it's not a one day thing to accomplish. First, you have to eat healthy. That is a very important factor. Some people go straight to exercising, but that is wrong. When you eat healthily, your body tends to benefit from important nutrients.
  • Question
    I'm very good at soccer, but I get nervous on the field. Why?
    Community Answer
    You probably just don't want to let the team down or embarrass yourself. Everybody feels that way. Just focus on the game and do your best. Pretend to be confident, even if you don't feel that way.
  • Question
    How can I dribble past 4 players like Messi?
    Community Answer
    Work on your footwork with cones. Also, you should always have your eyes open for a pass. If you do happen to find yourself alone on the attack, then you should look for some sort of flick over their head, and beat them with pace. I recommend looking up "Neymar Sombrero Flick".
  • Question
    How do I chip the ball over defense in soccer?
    Community Answer
    Slide your foot in a quick movement under the ball and follow through with pace. Don't forget to raise your boot so that it rises.
  • Question
    How do I get to first team soccer at my school without being as good as the others on my team?
    Community Answer
    This may sound like a generic answer, but in order to get better, you have to practice. In soccer, endurance is one of the major keys to being a good player, so I would definitely recommend building your endurance up. Another key to soccer is passing and shooting. Practice passing to players while on the run, and if you don't have anyone to pass to, just kick it against a wall at your house. To get better at shooting, if you can, go to the soccer fields and just shoot at different angles until your foot gets tired, then maybe try shooting with the other foot. Remember, control over the ball is necessary for passing and shooting.
  • Question
    How can I practice by myself if I only have a goal and a ball?
    Community Answer
    Try to also get some cones and use them as defenders and dribble. Create a wall and practice free kicks. Try to adapt team drills into a single person drill.
  • Question
    I know I'm a very good player but why doesn't my performance show it?
    Community Answer
    Keep playing and practicing. Game situations are different from practice so it may take a while to become a better game player.
  • Question
    How do I score more goals if I'm nervous?
    Community Answer
    Train and practice. Work at getting better. Follow the steps in this article and ask your coach for more tips. The more you practice, the better you will get, and the better you get, the less nervous you will be.
  • Question
    How do I avoid getting tackled?
    Community Answer
    The best way to do this is to not hold onto the ball for too long. When you get the ball, look up and look around for a teammate who's open to pass it to. If you want to dribble past and not get tackled, work on close control and not touching the ball too far in front of you.
  • Question
    How can I aim better?
    Community Answer
    Try planting the foot that you don't shoot the ball with in the direction that you want the ball to go to.
  • Question
    How do I practice while at home? It's winter and I can't practice outdoors, and I have no indoor session currently.
    Community Answer
    Kick a ball against a wall for practice.
  • Question
    How do I hit the ball higher?
    Community Answer
    Try to kick the very bottom of the ball to lift it up. Practicing your kicking strength will also allow the ball to go higher.
  • Question
    How can I practice if it is snowing outside and I don't have a basement and I can't go to a gym?
    Community Answer
    You could go into a large room and practice with your legs and, if you have a mini ball, you could use that to practice your drills.
  • Question
    How do I get a nice curve on the ball during a game?
    Community Answer
    Wrap your foot around the ball with the inside or outside of your foot, depending on what direction you want it to go. You can get better at this if you practice more to get a more precise curl and become more skilled. You can do it either alone or with a friend.
  • Question
    How can I deal with pressure?
    Community Answer
    Exercise. Dance. Breathe deeply. Sleep well. Schedule a "play hour" every day so you can get away from that which is causing you stress.
  • Question
    What can I do to get stronger? I am currently really skinny and easily knocked off of the ball.
    Community Answer
    You need strength training focused on your core and legs.
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