As soccer tryouts approach, you should improve as many skills as possible to make yourself into a more complete soccer player. Coaches look for players who excel in shooting, passing and decision-making, and who have the power to avoid checks and make hard plays. By working on these skills and becoming a more powerful player, you can give yourself a good chance of making the team.
Shooting
Successful soccer requires players to shoot quickly once they receive the ball. As a drill, line up with two teammates and pass the ball to one another as you head toward the net. Each of you can only touch the ball two times as you approach the net, and you must shoot the ball when it reaches the end area of the field. This ensures that you shoot the ball quickly without passing it too often beforehand.
Passing
All good soccer players must know how to pass because teamwork is essential for success. A beneficial passing drill involves using two other friends as offensive players and an additional friend as a defensive player. The three offensive players pass the ball around the defensive player, who attempts to steal it. Move to a new area of the field after you make your pass, since this gives your teammates additional options when they make their passes. Work the ball down the field in this manner and take a shot on goal as you get near the goal line.
Decision-Making
During a soccer game, you end up with your back to the net in many situations. When this occurs, you must dribble around the opposing player, pass the ball to a teammate or take a shot on net. Practice this scenario by having a teammate pass you the ball while an opposing player comes in behind you to steal the ball. Trap the pass quickly and then decide to pass to your teammate or maneuver into a position to take a shot on the net.
Power
Becoming more powerful can make you into a better overall soccer player. This power helps you maximize your skills by allowing you to accelerate past opponents as they attempt to check you. Start with plyometric exercises, which means to load and contract your muscles rapidly. Find a platform from which to drop and then explode into the air the instant your feet touch the ground. The less time your feet stay on the ground, the more good the exercise does for your legs. Squats also improve your leg power, since you explode through the lift.
References
- "101 Great Youth Soccer Drills: Skills and Drills for Better Fundamental Play"; Robert Koger; 2005
- "Soccer Skills & Drills"; National Soccer Coaches Association of America; 2006
- "The Science of Training: Soccer: A Scientific Approach to Developing Strength, Speed and Endurance"; Thomas Reilly; 2006
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