How To Develop Good Soccer Skills

DRIBBLING

A player who can keep a ball close to his Feet while running at full speed and dummying round other players is a joy to watch. But the player can only do this when the slighter touch moves the ball Exactly the distance and angle he expects it to.

BENDING THE BALL

The much - admired skill is achieved by the player striking the ball with the side of his foot to put a spin on it which makes it curve in flight. But the roundness of the ball must be perfect to ensure that the trajectory of its path is even, otherwise a ball intended for the top cornet of the net may simply pass centimeters outside the goal post!

TRAPPING

Stopping a long pass with chest, or thigh, or foot is a skill which every top player must acquire. But he has to know exactly how much rebound to expect from the ball so that he can judge precisely how much to bend and move his body to stop the ball.

HEADING

Directing a ball with the head requires strong neck and shoulder muscles and an eye from an after acute angle. A player's experience tells him how a ball should perform when He strikes it but a ball which is too heavy and a ball which is too light can fly off at the wrong height or angle and the goal is missed or the pass misplaced.

WET WEATHER SKILLS

A ball which has absorbed too much water feels totally different from a dry ball. It travels sluggishly, it won't lift or spin and takes the skill and pleasure out of the game for both players and spectators alike. And pity the poor goalkeeper who not only have to be agile on a muddy pitch butt to save balls which are heavy and slippery with mud and water.

THE LONG PASS

A perfectly-flight pass from one side of the field to the other requires considerable skill from the player, who must judge the weight of his kick to perfection. This type of pass is often made to winger in space, who makes another accurate cross for the striker to go for goal.

SHOOTING WITH POWER

A goalkeeper has more time to save a weak short so the strikers like to shoot with speed and power and the crowd loves it too. Tall, agile goalkeeper often make spectacular saves. To do this they must also have the experience to judge the flight pattern of a fast - moving ball and, to be fair to all players, this must remain consistent throughout the match.