How to get better at soccer

Soccer is a sport that requires a combination of technique, skill, fitness, tactics, teamwork, and mental resilience. Players at every level want to finds ways to improve. From beginners who have recently played their first soccer match. To advanced players looking to maximise their strengths and limit weaknesses.

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In this blog, we'll provide guidance and tips to players on how to increase their soccer skills. Coaches and parents of aspiring players will also find this information useful, as they guide the games future stars.

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1. Master your technique

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To get better at soccer, a good place to start is focusing on mastering your technique. These fundamental skills are the bedrock of performance on the field.

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• Passing: Accurate passing is essential for retaining possession. Practice both short and long passes, with a focus on timing and accuracy. Being able to vary the pace of your passes is also a valuable asset. Ideally, you want to be comfortable using both feet to pass the ball.
• Ball Control: First touches are crucial in soccer, and having excellent control can give you an edge in tight spaces. Practice receiving balls from different angles, speeds and heights to become comfortable with trapping and settling the ball quickly. When mastered, players can become directional with their first touch and add disguise to hide their intention.
• Shooting: Improving your shooting technique will significantly impact your ability to score goals. Practice different types of shots you will use during a match situation. Driving the ball low into the corners or lifting the ball over a goalkeeper using a chip. Pay attention to your body alignment and mechanics, as all will play a part in successful execution.
• Dribbling: Good dribbling skills allow you to move past opponents and progress possession towards your rivals goal. To improve, practice dribbling at different speeds, using both feet. Set up cones or other obstacles to weave through as you increase control and precision. Perfect your ability to dribble in wide open and tight spaces.
• Others Fundamentals: For some positions on the field, additional skills are essential. For instance, heading for centre-backs and strikers, tackling for defenders and shot stopping for goalkeepers.

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You can master your technical fundamentals at team training or in separate sessions with teammates, friends or even individually. All you need is a ball and a plan of what skills you wish to develop. Then continuous practice and repetition, both opposed and unopposed, will soon improve all of your attributes.

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2. Improve your physical fitness

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Soccer is an intense, fast-paced game that requires a high level of fitness. Improving your physical condition will enhance your overall performance and help you stand out on the field.

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• Endurance: Soccer players need stamina to last 90 minutes or more. Incorporate long-distance running and interval training into your routine to improve your cardiovascular endurance.
• Strength: Focus on building lower-body strength for powerful shots, speed, and agility, as well as upper-body strength to shield the ball and fend off opponents. Incorporate squats, lunges, and core exercises into your fitness regime.
• Agility: Agility is critical in soccer. Quick changes of direction and the ability to accelerate or decelerate rapidly can give you a competitive advantage. Use ladder drills and cone exercises to work on foot speed and agility.

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Physical fitness is arguably the easiest area to improve. Team training is an obvious time and place to work hard, but players can also perform individual programmes.

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3. Enhance your tactical awareness

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Soccer is as much a psychological game as it is a physical one. To get better at soccer, players need to develop their tactical awareness. Understanding how the game unfolds, where to position themselves, and how to make smart decisions.

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• Positioning: Knowing where to position yourself on the field can greatly impact your effectiveness. This will vary depending on whether your team is in or out of possession. Think ball, opponent, teammate and space when considering where to position yourself on the field.
• Anticipation: Soccer requires quick thinking and decision-making. Scanning is an invaluable skill to develop in this area. The ability to look around, at the right times, to gather information and inform your decision making. This will help your reading of the game and anticipation of what will happen next.
• Vision and Awareness: Scanning also plays an important role in these skills too. Studies have revealed that players who scan more, retain possession more often, and make more successful forward passes. Having good vision and high awareness will help you outsmart opponents on the field.
• Team Play: Soccer is a team sport, and your ability to work well with others is crucial. Develop your communication skills on the field, and make sure you're contributing to the team's tactics and overall goals. Focus on becoming a team player who supports both in attack and defense.

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Tactical knowledge can be developed from watching games and the best players in the world. However, research in soccer cognition has shown the best way to train this skill is to play in a game-like environment. One way professional clubs and players train their cognitive soccer skills away from the field is in virtual reality. Check out these stories on Martin Ødegaard, Aurélien Tchouaméni‍ and Roméo Lavia.‍‍

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4. Work on mental resilience

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Mental toughness is often what separates good players from great ones. Soccer can be frustrating and challenging, but having a strong mindset will help you stay focused and bounce back from setbacks.

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• Confidence: Confidence comes from preparation and practice. Trust in your abilities and don't be afraid to make mistakes—they're a part of the learning process.
• Focus: Soccer is a fast-paced game, and maintaining focus is key. Practice mindfulness techniques and visualization to stay sharp during games, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Resilience: There will be times when things don't go your way. The ability to recover from mistakes, injuries, or tough losses will determine how far you can go in the sport.

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There are plenty of online resources available in this area of soccer and generally in sports psychology. Search for any specific aspects that you want to improve and discover the extra margins a positive mentality can provide.

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5. Consistent practice and commitment

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The best way to get better at soccer is through consistent, focused practice. Whether you're working on your technical skills, fitness, or tactical knowledge, dedicating regular time to improvement is essential.

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• Set Goals: Establish both short-term and long-term goals to keep yourself motivated. For instance, you might aim to improve your weak foot within a month or increase your endurance over the season.
• Practice Regularly: To see tangible improvements, commit to a regular training schedule. Work on different aspects of your game during each session to develop a well-rounded skill set.
• Learn from Feedback: Don't shy away from constructive criticism. Coaches, teammates, and even self-analysis can provide insights that help you refine your game. Use their feedback to identify areas that need work and focus your efforts accordingly.

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Wrap Up

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That completes our guide on how to become a better soccer player, whatever your level. We cannot promise that having read this blog you get to the Lionel Messi professional soccer player level. But if you have ever searched 'how to get good at soccer' or 'how to be amazing at soccer', you've hopefully picked up some useful advice. It's now time to get practising.