4 Steps to Improving Your Soccer Skills and Taking Your Game to the Next Level

Ask any player, and they will tell you that they want to become a better soccer player who has a greater impact on the field. However, those same players will most likely struggle to describe their plan and any concrete action steps for improvement.   My goal is to change that. I want you to improve your skills and find greater success on and off the pitch.  In this post, I share four tips that will help you improve your soccer skills and take your game to the next level.  

Step #1 Set Smart Goals

We all know that setting goals is important, but we often don’t realize how much more important it is to set Smart Goals.   SMART goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.   Start by picking a specific skill that you want to improve. Do you want every pass you make to go to the right person? Or maybe you want to be able to juggle the ball 50 times without dropping it.   Now make smaller goals to track your progress. Try juggling the ball ten times without dropping it. When you can do it consistently, increase that number by five.

Related:
Free 30-Day Juggling Challenge

 

Step #2 Have Fun & Celebrate Your Success

It’s hard to stay motivated if practice feels more like work than it does fun.   Set smaller goals and reward yourself after each accomplishment.  Also, come up with games you can play by yourself or with your friends that are both fun and focus on a specific skill.   For example, soccer tag is a great way to have fun while improving your skills.   If you need some ideas, check out our e-book Becoming a Rec Coach Super Hero for fun games and more.     

Step #3 Play Against Others In a Low-Pressure Environment

To improve, you have to practice new skills in a free environment that has low stakes and pressure. This is the best way to experiment and make lots of mistakes.   Also, playing against people with different skill levels challenges you in different ways.   Older players and players with more skill can teach you new moves and force you to move quicker.   Playing with less skilled players gives you more time on the ball and the ability to show leadership.   Try our 1V1 Soccer Games Against Friends & Parents videos to have fun and challenge your friends.    

 

Step #4 Follow a Proven System

Would you go to the gym each day and do random exercises? 

The key to improving your soccer skills is to practice consistently. The best way to do this is by finding a comprehensive step-by-step program that also keeps you accountable.

Related:
The Five Pillars of Ball Mastery

Anytime Soccer Training provides a wide range of programs that focus on a variety of skills. Use our follow-along videos to take the guesswork out of soccer training so you can start seeing your skills improve.