While football or baseball might be considered the "all-American" sports, there are 18 million soccer players in the United States, according to the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany website, which is more than any other nation in the world. Of these 18 million players, 78 percent are under 18 and learning the skills necessary to be a successful soccer player at an early age.
Passing and Receiving
To get the ball from player to player, everyone on the team must know how to pass and receive. There are three types of passes, a forward pass, square pass and a back pass. The forward pass is aggressive and risky because it can be easily intercepted depending on the length, location and skill level of the passer and receiver. A square pass is used when you're trying to get out of a tricky situation, such as if two opponents are coming your way. The back pass is safest of all, but does not move the ball forward. It's used to get out of a tough defensive situation.
Communicating
Communication is an essential skill for a soccer team. When playing defense, teammates must quickly communicate with each other to make sure everyone is in the right position and marking the opponents. When the team is playing offense, quick communication is essential for alerting teammates to opportunities to attack and who is available to pass and receive the ball. With good communication, the team can make decisions more quickly.
Dribbling
The ability to keep control of the ball while carrying it past your opponent is known as "dribbling," and it's one of the most basic soccer skills. The first part of the skill is using both feet and keeping your head up. Even knowing when to dribble, versus when to pass to a teammate, requires experience and awareness. Good dribblers can kick the ball lightly with both feet without losing control and move at a comfortable speed.
Teamwork
Teamwork is vital to success. While skills such as passing, receiving and dribbling help you perform individually, a player who cannot look past his individual success to the team's performance will be less desirable on the field. Qualities necessary to be a good team player include confidence, desire, self-motivation and controlled emotions.
References
- Soccer Training Guide: Basic Soccer Skills You Need To Know
- U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany: Sports in America: Soccer
- Dummies.com: Knowing When and How to Dribble in Soccer
- Dummies.com: Understanding Soccer's Three Basic Passes
- Surefire Soccer: What Are the Most Important Soccer Skills You Should Teach Intermediate Players?
- The Soccer Essential Dot Com: Soccer Communication Skills: The Importance of Communication
Member Comments