A youth soccer coach, Hugo Grejada, director of Pro Youth Soccer academy in Chester, New York, shares some tips to help you improve your soccer skills.
Start with basic drills. "Go outdoors, get a ball, and keep it close to your feet," Grejada says, "If you have a backyard, work on shooting."
"It's a good way of building skills without having the pressure of games. Choose camps that emphasize building skills and go to one of those. There are plenty of camps that begin right after school ends."
Don't forget to stretch. Then do a series of stretches to loosen up your muscles. Don't forget to take a drink of water before you even step on the field. "Water is important especially in summer." Grejada says.
Watch the World Cup. Grejada tells his athletes to watch as many games as they can. Then, you should try to bring some of their moves into your own game. "Pick up something that you like and practice it." Grejada says.
Keep practicing. Practice may not seem like the most fun part playing soccer. Look for ways to make practice fun by adding some competition to simple drills, and don't be discouraged if it takes time to master new skills. "If someone was struggling to improve, I would tell him to keep practicing, keep trying. Practice makes perfect."
A. Sign up for a soccer camp.
B. Reduce the pressure of games.
C. However, it's the best way to develop skills.
D. Study how the best players move with the ball.
E. A game is sometimes used as an educational tool.
F. That will help improve your ability to run with the ball close to you.
G. Before each game or practice, start with a proper ten-minute warm-up.