Soccer skills are developed through consistent practice and watching other players train and play. You practice specific movements and techniques repetitively until you become confident, at which point the skill becomes a natural movement. The more efficient your training program the faster your skills develop and the sooner you will achieve your training goals.
Dribbling
The best dribblers keep the ball moving around the field by using the inside, outside, instep and sole of the foot. You should be able to run with the ball and change direction while keeping control of the ball by keeping it close to your feet. When confronted with an opponent, you can use feints and tricks to keep the opposing player confused and off-balance.
Kicking
You need good kicking skills for passing, shooting and clearing. Soccer players refer to kicking as striking the ball. Ground kicks and volleys are basic kicking moves. Kicking requires balance and control to produce quality strikes on the ball. Upper body movement plays an important role in how the ball responds in the kick. Leaning forward keeps the ball low while leaning back will cause the ball to rise. How you strike, the ball also has an effect on ball motion. Different methods of striking the ball include inside of the foot, outside of the foot, instep drive, inside curve, outside curve, volley and chip.
Ball Control
You need ball control skills to maneuver the ball at high speeds or when getting the ball out of the air. When a ball is in the air, you can wait for the ball to drop and use the sole trap, placing the foot heel down, toe up on the soccer ball to trap and control the ball. You can also cut and redirect the ball using the inside of your foot right after it hits the ground. Another ball control move is the 180-degree turn where you loft the ball in the air, using the instep of your foot to stall the ball while turning 180 degrees and moving in the new direction. Other effective ball control moves includes thigh control and the chest trap, where you bend your body and use your chest as a cushion for the ball and head control.
Heading
You head the ball to change the ball's direction, to pass the ball to another player or to knock it into the goal. For power, the trunk of your body should snap forward propelling the ball. When you go to score or move offensively, you head the ball upward. When you defend, you head the ball toward the ground.
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