Players are more likely to bring a reputation for physicality than not. Women players such as Abby Wambach of the U.S. and Charmaine Hooper of Canada, paradoxically, are well known for their physicality. You may be of a different temperament to a player naturally comfortable with body contact and need to find ways to improve your physicality. Remember that physicality does not include intimidation and that physicality should not be a substitute for skill, intelligence and athleticism, advises Sam Snow, director of coaching education for US Youth Soccer.
Step 1
Work to arrive quickly to a loose or 50-50 ball, following one of the most important principles in soccer: "first to the ball." "Play aggressive toward the ball, but not to other players," writes Danny Mielke, a professor of physical education at Eastern Oregon University, in "Soccer Fundamentals." If you are naturally timid or reticent, begin on a wing position to increase your comfort with contact before moving to a central assignment, advises coach Alan Hargreaves in "Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer."
Step 2
Play within soccer's rules, known as the Laws of the Game, especially Law 12 on fouls and misconduct. Shoulder charge players off the ball within the rules, which allow you to lean your shoulder against an opponent to move her away from the ball. Keep your arms at your sides -- extending your hand to push the rival player is illegal, as is tripping, pushing, jumping at, striking or kicking the opponent. Remember that soccer is a contact sport but not a collision sport like American football.
Step 3
Join a boys' team or a male-dominated pickup game if you are female to master the physical side of the game as well as hone your speed. Noted female players including Hooper and U.S. standout Mia Hamm frequently played alongside boys in their youth.
Step 4
Step up the physicality of your defense using the ball and cover technique. Work with a teammate to coordinate defense so that you take the opponent with the ball and your teammate stands in position to block a likely pass. Challenge the player with the ball with a shoulder charge or a block tackle -- an assertive kick with the laces of your shoe against the side of the ball. The block tackle, which may involve incidental contact with the ball handler, offers good odds of bouncing off the ball handler's shin guards and freeing it for a turnover.
Step 5
Head the ball into the goal with confidence and aggression during practice and actual games. Attack the ball in the air and send it forcefully into goal, Mielke advises. Move quickly and fend off challenges by defenders using your shoulders and core strength.
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