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25 IMPORTANT THINGS PLAYERS SHOULD KNOW |
1 |
A good soccer player must have skills, conditioning, and tactical knowledge. You must work on all three to be the best you can be.
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2 |
When your team has the ball, everyone is on offense; when your opponents have the ball, everyone is on defense.
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3 |
A soccer team does not have backs, midfielders or strikers -- only soccer players. No matter what position you may start the game in, you will still have to head, pass, receive, shoot, make space, etc., as any player would do regardless of position.
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4 |
If you can't pass and receive a soccer ball, you can't play soccer. Practice passing to a man or to a space with proper pace and receiving ground and air balls.
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5 |
Do not just kick the ball unless it is in a dangerous position in front of your goal. Instead, take a "picture" of the situation before you get the ball. In this way you can perceive the situation, determine the best solution, and act accordingly when the ball arrives.
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6 |
Don't run forward when your team has the ball unless you run back when the other team has the ball.
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7 |
Your team is limited only by the effort of each team member.
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8 |
In most sports you need to be balanced on both feet. In soccer, you must also have superior balance (to shoot, pass, receive, etc.) on one foot. The best way to develop and improve balance on one foot is by juggling.
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9 |
If you lose the ball, you should be the first person on defense. Giving immediate chase is the first rule of defense.
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10 |
When changing from offense to defense, sprint to get between your man and the goal you are defending.
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11 |
Beat your opponent to the ball. It is more difficult for your opponent to score a goal if he doesn't have the ball.
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12 |
If your opponent has the ball and his back is to you, do not let him turn with the ball or he can pass or dribble forward or shoot.
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13 |
After a goal, always thank your teammate for the assist. Often that player has made the tougher play.
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14 |
Never criticize the goalie after a goal. Before the ball got by him, ten players also let the ball get by them.
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15 |
In a soccer game, only one team plays soccer. The other team chases. What would you rather do? Maintain possession of the ball!
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16 |
Good dribblers give up the ball before they are in trouble, not after they are in trouble.
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17 |
Losing possession of the ball is acceptable in three situations: after a goal, after a shot, or in the offensive third of the field.
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18 |
Do not say anything to the referees. They will sometimes make mistakes, just as we all do. If your team made as few mistakes as the referees, it would be undefeated every season.
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19 |
Never harass or criticize a teammate. If they make a mistake, work with them so they don't make the same mistake again.
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20 |
Never argue or talk back to the coaches. They want to help you to become a better player. Listen and learn from them.
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21 |
An effort of 99 percent or less will not win championships or ball games against good competition.
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22 |
The world is full of potentially good soccer players, but lacking in players that reach that potential.
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23 |
Potential means that you haven't done anything yet.
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24 |
Players should not say "I can't" or give excuses. "I'll try" will be accepted.
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25 |
Win, lose, or tie, if you have given 100% when you walk off the field, you have nothing to be ashamed of and should not have any regrets. |