The game of soccer can be one of the most fun sports out there. Unfortunately, because it is not as popular as other sports, there is not as much knowledge about this sport circulating. You want to improve your game, but you are not sure how to do it. Thankfully, the below article will provide you with the knowledge needed to properly play the game.

To make the transition from receiving the ball to directing it more fluid, don’t trap or stop the ball completely. Instead, as the ball approaches, aim to make contact with the top or middle of the ball then tap it in the direction you want it to go and continue to maneuver down the field.

Make some firm passes if you want to get a reaction from other players. Firm passes are easier to control and let other players know that it is time to take action. A soft pass is a good way to draw a player into the game but is too risky if you are under pressure.

You have to ask for the ball. If you do not ask, you are not going to get what you want. This piece of advice is true for just about any position on the field (except for the goalkeeper). Without the ball, you cannot make things happen. If you find yourself shying away, you may want to reevaluate why you are in the game in the first place.

The part of the ball you kick is crucial in soccer. If you kick too high on the ball, it is not going to go very far. On the other hand, kicking the bottom of the ball will just make it go high in the air. It is best to aim for the middle.

The Outside Elastico is a basic move to master. Doing this will give you the ability to cut inside better. Practice this by placing a shoe, bag or cone on the ground. Step back five times. Start by dribbling in the direction of the cone. As you approach the cone, touch the ball outside then return your foot to the inside of the ball quickly. The outer touch will fool opponents on the field. The inside touch should be slightly harder than the outside touch.

Scan the field for an open player if you find yourself boxed in. This allows your team to set up the ball before the opposing team gets into the area, thus giving your team a few second advantage of controlling the action.

Try playing with people who are better than you are. Soccer will be a lot more challenging if you practice with players who have more experience than you. Ask them for tips and pay attention to the strategies and moves they use. Try copying what they do and you will eventually become a better player.

Learn that you must use all of your foot surface area in soccer. When rapidly dribbling, the instep and front of the foot will mainly be used. To become a better dribbler, you must be able to use both the inside and outside of both feet. By doing this, you have more control over the body regardless of where the defenders are coming from.

When practicing dribbling set up an obstacle course. This course can be made by using plastic cones placed approximately two feet apart. Then weave in and out the obstacle course using your dribbling technique. This practice will teach you how to weave around other players while maintaining control of the ball.

Whenever you practice playing soccer, aim to do your entire practice without stopping. That is because during an actual game, you will not be stopping very often. Therefore, soccer is a very exhausting game that requires you to be in top shape. By practicing long periods of time without stopping, you will get yourself in better shape so that you can improve your games.

Analyze the game immediately following each game. Bring a notebook to the game and write down pertinent information such as how many shots you took, how many times you scored, how many went high and if you seem to always be shooting to one side or the other. By keeping a written record, you will begin to notice ways to improve your game.

Soccer is an extremely fun sport if you are knowledgeable about it. Do not let this sport intimidate you any longer. Use the excellent advice provided to you so that you can become a soccer pro and have fun playing this game. Get your friends and family on board so that everyone can have fun with soccer.