Thinking back to when I first played soccer in Evergreen, Colorado, I still remember going to the store to get my uniform and shin guards. To this day, it was one of the most memorable times, probably because soccer has been so good to me.
Once I turned 11 or 12, I remember watching pro soccer and wondering what exact parts of the foot they were using. Back then there was no slow motion replay. That type of wondering helps me now because I know the thoughts of the players.
Key Takeaways
- The first steps in how to get better at soccer are learning the right fundamentals and proper mechanics.
- Players improve faster when they get a lot of reps and are corrected on form.
- Trap, pass, and dribble are three core elements every player needs to master.
- Most flashy drills do not help in games. Simple, repeatable skills do.
- Wall training, weak foot work, and first touch are some of the best ways to improve at home.
First Steps in How You Get Better at Soccer
Knowing the right fundamentals and then learning proper mechanics.
It’s important to know why these are going to help a player’s overall game.
Then when practicing, being corrected so you know what is right or wrong.
When players come to me they improve fast because they get tons of reps and are corrected on form and mechanics.
These reps done the right way help them get quick wins on the field.
I don’t mean winning the game, but winning your own battles on the field.
Feeling more comfortable with the ball, and most importantly not losing the ball.
Learn exactly what having comfort on the ball means
One of the keys to soccer is don’t lose possession of the ball.
Don’t worry about how pretty your skills are. Just try not to lose the ball.
If you can complete 80% of your passes that is good.
Unless you’re the playmaker #10, your goal should be to not lose the ball.
The playmakers need to make more risky passes, therefore they lose the ball a bit more from the pass.
Players who train solo know that the practice from the week before had a lot to do with the success in their games.
If you want to improve, either get a trainer or work on the right things with teammates or family members.
Doing the proper amount of reps is going to be the key.
You can do all the right drills, but if you are not doing them enough, it won’t sink in.
If you are working on precision passing, start off where things are easy.
Once you get it smooth and consistent, then start to challenge yourself by using a smaller target.
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3 Elements to Help You Get Better at Soccer
Find a wall, teammate, family member or skills trainer and work on the basics.
Know these 3 elements:
Trap, pass, and dribble.
Knowing how to trap, pass and dribble will make you feel much more comfortable at practice and in games.
It will also help you become a better defender, because when you are comfortable with the ball it makes it easier to go and steal or win the ball.
These 3 elements are what you are going to want to know in terms of controlling the ball.
Then there are other things like knowing how to defend and how to get open for a pass in soccer.
The thing most players and coaches don’t know is how to have good form.
Another thing is what parts of the foot to connect with the ball.
In addition, all the ways to pass, trap, and dribble.
You want to practice using the inside, outside, sole, and top of both feet.
Don’t just practice using the strong foot. Make sure you spend time with the weak foot.
Prepare yourself for the games.
You don’t want to keep getting put in situations where you are not comfortable shooting or passing with the weak foot.
You can bet that you will come across times where you need to use both feet.
This all starts with spending time with the ball at home.
Spend Time Doing the Simple Things
There are certain skills and drills that are better than others.
I can promise you that there are over 1,000 different drills and skills.
Most of them don’t even work.
Many of these drills are just tricks that might look cool, but will never help you in a game.
If you keep doing these silly drills over and over, you are missing out on all the skills that will actually make you better.
It’s unbelievable how many kids can do cool tricks or kick far, but can’t trap the ball from a throw-in to save their lives.
Spend your time working on passing with both feet as well as trapping with both feet.
Think about what you mess up on in games and go from there.
Finding what our weaknesses are and improving in those areas is vital.
If you’re really good at passing with your right foot, then practice more on your left.
Some people can kick the ball far, but can’t control it out of the air.
If you are that person who wants to know what really works, because you work hard, then get my online ball control courses.
There are different tiers, or you can get all of them and save money.
Mistakes So Many Are Making in Soccer Practice
A friend of mine from high school called me the other day.
He played college soccer and was a good player, but said he was overwhelmed trying to find what works best to help his kids’ team improve.
He said there was just too much content and it was hard to know what really was good for the specific age and level.
Going to YouTube could be one of the worst things you can do for soccer development.
You end up clicking whatever is popular, which does not mean it is the right training.
Instead, make sure you do research and find someone who is a licensed coach or former player.
Someone who has experience coaching, because these are the people who know what does and doesn’t work.
Better yet, go to my site and get my training courses which are proven to work for all ages and levels.
Save yourself time by knowing and doing what works.
Best Soccer Skills to Learn Early and Forever
One-touch volley passes using the inside of the foot, and short passing on the ground 5-10 yards away using the inside of both feet.
For both of these, your toes should be up, not down.
Then you have volleys using the laces, which are also important in how you get better at soccer.
Striking the ball with the laces for shooting or long passes is something that should be introduced early.
This is one of the hardest things to learn and retain, because most select soccer players are not taught how.
Most rec and select players are only told how, not truly taught or shown.
Trust me when I tell you most high school soccer players do not know the exact and different ways to shoot with the laces.
There are about 10 things you have to do and know.
Check my recent blog post on how to strike using laces.
You Have to Continue Practicing Many Hours
Nowadays many people live in a microwave society.
Hey, I want things fast too, but I learned to understand that it takes time for most good things to happen.
Especially playing soccer.
Most people, including college soccer players, never know how fast they can really improve in soccer.
The reason is because not every soccer family wants or has the opportunity to do private individual soccer lessons.
There is just no way that team coaches, even the best, can make you as good as a player who gets private lessons and works on their own solo.
Ball on the Wall to Improve Kicking Technique
Spending time kicking the ball against the wall is by far one of the best things you can do.
To improve your game you need to work on first touch and passing. These two elements are what you will do the most.
The main reason I learned to pass and shoot using different techniques is because I spent time with the ball and the wall.
Walls can be better than using a person, because with the wall it comes back to you right away.
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One of the best things about training solo is when you mess up, nobody sees it.
This means you don’t get embarrassed or get sports anxiety, because feeling like that will only slow down your progress.
Improving Fitness Will Help Your Game
We all know that fitness will improve your game, but when and who should focus on fitness?
Kids in club soccer nowadays are working on fitness younger and younger, and honestly too early.
There is no reason that 10-year-olds should be running 3 miles.
Yes, this happens, but it shouldn’t.
When I think of improving fitness, I think of high school, college, and pros.
The higher the level, the more fitness you need.
If you want to play college or pro, then yes, you better work on fitness.
A pro player’s main focus during the off-season and playing season is fitness.
This doesn’t mean they do sprints every week, but they do make sure they are eating right and resting properly too.
There is a fine balance you need, and at that level you usually have to run more than you want. It’s never easy.
Learn 20 Tips on Heading the Ball
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Train the Right Way if You Want to Improve Faster
If you want to get better at soccer, don’t waste your best time on drills that won’t show up in games.
Work on first touch, passing, dribbling, weak foot development, and training on the wall. That is what actually transfers.
If you want a structured system that shows you what to work on and in what order, start with The Basics or get the full training path with The Works.
FAQ: How to Get Better at Soccer
What are the first things a soccer player should work on?
The first things a soccer player should work on are first touch, passing, dribbling, and proper mechanics. These are the foundations that help players feel more comfortable on the ball and keep possession.
How can I get better at soccer at home?
You can get better at soccer at home by using a wall, working on first touch and passing, spending time on your weak foot, and repeating simple drills that actually happen in games.
Do flashy soccer drills help in games?
Most flashy soccer drills do not help much in games. They may look good, but many of them do not improve passing, trapping, first touch, or decision making under pressure.
Why is wall training so effective in soccer?
Wall training is effective because the ball comes back quickly, giving players more reps in less time. It is one of the best ways to improve first touch, passing, and kicking technique.
How much does the weak foot matter in soccer?
The weak foot matters a lot. Players will end up in game situations where they need both feet, so training only the strong foot limits confidence, passing options, and finishing ability.
Related Articles
- What comfort on the ball really means
- Soccer passing and first touch drills using a wall
- 3 ways to strike the ball with power
- Practice drills defenders need in soccer
- Dribbling drills and tips
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