Soccer can be played on just about any surface, from grass to a gym floor or even asphalt. In competitive environments, however, the two options are typically limited to grass or turf. So which is easier to play on? Although there certainly is an element of personal preference involved, there is also evidence to suggest […]
Soccer Game Tips
When to Take Risks or Play Simple in Soccer
Soccer strategy encompasses a wide variety of concepts, from the formation and tactics the whole team utilizes to individual decisions on positioning and what to do with the ball when you have it. One key aspect of strategy on the player level is how often to take risks, which can lead to positive outcomes for […]
What is a Late Run into the Box and Why is it Good?
Recently we’ve been looking at some tactical terms you may hear from your coach or from others who analyze the game of soccer. These have ranged from patterns and positions of play to recycling possession. Today we’ll look at another term that can be a little tricky to nail down: making a “late” run into […]
How to Create Space as a Midfielder
Best Player Coach Ratios for Youth Soccer Players
The difficulty of developing world-class players in the United States is a longstanding and much-debated problem. Various explanations have been given: we don’t have enough of a soccer culture; we utilize a “pay to play” model; our best athletes are playing other sports; we aren’t identifying talent in underserved areas. These are all big parts […]
Attacking on the Wing with Crossing, Dribbling and Overlapping
When you watch soccer, look for how and where teams attack because understanding this can make you a better player. Soccer teams attack based on one of the sport’s most basic principles: spreading out when your team has the ball and staying compact when your team is defending. Therefore, attacking teams want to spread the […]
A Trick to Scoring Goals: How to Score More in Soccer
How to Defend a Forward or Midfielder With Their Back to Their Own Goal
Forwards checking back to the soccer ball are often accompanied by a tight marking defender. Midfielders also take on this defensive role against opposing midfielders or forwards checking back. Here, the defender’s main goal is to keep the soccer ball in front of them and not get turned. If the offensive player plays the ball backwards, you […]
How to Perform a Proper Take-Over in Soccer
A take-over is a simple run that is very effective. Performing a take-over correctly can get you out of tight spaces on the field and can possibly give you an open shot. When to Perform a Take-Over There are two key situations in a soccer when it’s beneficial to perform a take-over: 1.) When you […]
A Simple Rule for Better Soccer: Communicate the “Right of Way”
There is a simple rule in soccer that can help your team either start an attack or shore up a possible risky play. The rule that must be followed is relatively simple. When two players on the same team are going at the ball from opposite directions, the player going forward always has the right of […]
