Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy

Goalkeeper: Get Out To Cut Out Crosses

2005-06-26T06:58:00.000-05:00

In the goal area, the goalkeeper is boss. Regard every ball sent into that area as yours and go for it. A goalkeeper is a good fielder of high balls. Coming out to cut out high crosses, leap forward so that on landing, you are balanced, and you can meet any charge. Knocking the ball down is no use. Clutch it, with hand slightly above the ball to claw it down, and hug it to your body. Spread at least one hand
behind the ball to stop it forcing its way through. Keep your eyes on the ball. Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy, http://users.erols.com/soccertip

Heading: The Glide To The Side

2005-04-17T07:54:00.000-05:00

To place a ball with your head to a teammate, who is on one side of you. Turn your head and pivot your body from the hips in the direction in which you wish to pass the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball right through the header. Strike the ball with your forehead, head the ball down, and head to your teammate quickly. A rule to remember when heading is to make your head hit the ball; do not let the ball do the hitting. Avoid heading with the top or side of the head. It's inaccurate and dangerous.
Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy, http://users.erols.com/soccertip

Passing:

2005-04-10T04:29:00.000-05:00

If you know how to control the ball, you know that a soccer team has to have definitive passing. Passing is the key of winning in soccer. A team that has weak passing has to work twice as hard to win the game. The game acquires understanding between your teammates on the field. If you understand the player next to you, you know how to play the ball to him/her. You must pass direct to a player or to a spot that you know that he/she can get to. You must think fast where the ball will go to when the ball is pass to you. You should control the ball and know where to pass next or shoot the ball at the goal; a bad pass might mean the loss of the game. A good pass might be the game winner and a winning team.
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Control: Trap it with Your Chest

2005-04-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

Ability to trap, that is, take the pace off a moving ball, bring it under control, then move off with it quickly, is essential for good soccer. Here's how to trap a chest-high ball. Leaning the top part of the body forward slightly while drawing in the stomach, take the ball squarely in the center of the chest and drop it to your feet by letting your body "give." Spread your arms for balance and to avoid foul for hands.
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Free kick: At Goal

2005-03-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

At times you have to take a free kick into the goal mouth, Because it is at an awkward angle or is an indirect free kick, you cannot score yourself when taking such a kick. You should aim the ball head high in line with the far post, so that one of your teammate can dash in and meet it with a header. Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy, http://users.erols.com/soccertip

Goalkeeper: Get Your Body Behind The Ball

2005-03-27T12:50:00.000-05:00

Safety first must always be the goalkeeper's motto. He/she is the last line of defense and a mistake by him/her is more likely to lead to a goal. The most important rule for a goalie is to take every opportunity to get his/her body squarely behind the ball in saving a shot. Thus, even if the ball slips through his/her hand, the body is in line. To avoid a fumble first, he/she should wrap his/her hands round the ball and hug it into his/her chest. Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy, http://users.erols.com/soccertip

Corner: The Kick Curves In

2005-03-14T14:20:00.000-05:00

For the in-swing corner kick, that is one that curve in towards the goal, you should kick the ball with your left foot from the right side and with your right foot from the left side. Keep the ball away from the goalkeeper by aiming to drop it just outside the area and in line with the near post, at a height that will give your other forwards the chance of a header at goal. Even if you make an error and put the ball nearer to the far post than intended, its inward curve will give the goalkeeper a very awkward ball to deal with.
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The Long-distance Lob in Midfield

2005-03-14T12:07:00.000-05:00

Vary your throw-ins to keep your opponents guessing. Don't always use a short one. With a long throw you can reach an unmarked teammate in midfield and so start the attack. To get extra length you can either lean your body farther back than usual before you throw, or take a little run up to the line to give added impetus. Do not give away the direction by looking pointedly at the spot where you mean to throw the ball at. Throw into an open space so that your teammate can run on to the ball.
Soccer Skills - Soccer Tactics - Soccer Strategy, http://users.erols.com/soccertip