Sports IQ Presents:
Soccer
Known as football in the rest of the world, this is the most popular sport on earth!
Adult Sports:
Soccer
The beautiful game! Soccer is a classic sport, one of the sports that you can say is like a chess match! It’s a game of pressure, timing, and perfect touches.
How Does the Game Work?
Soccer is a scoring game between two teams. The goal of the game (pun not intended) is to score more goals than your opponent before time is up. It can be played indoors or outdoors, with as few as 3 people per side, or a full team of 11 people per side. No one can touch the ball with their hands other than the goalkeeper, who can pick the ball up if it’s within their lines.
What Do I Need To Play?
One of the reasons for soccer’s popularity around the world is that you only really need a soccer ball to play. A soccer net helps, but you can also set up a wide range of objects that can stand in for a net. A pair of cleats can help you keep traction if you’re playing on the grass.
How Can I Learn As An Adult?
Read more below!
Soccer can be taken up at any age. It’s a sport that can be easily practiced at home or alone, and makes for great exercise no matter how old or young you are!
Gear you’ll need
Required
Soccer Ball
There are a few types, with some being more suitable for indoor play (gymnasium type balls), and some that are made of higher quality materials for longer life. Check out all your options:
Soccer Net
Like with soccer balls, nets come in different configurations based on the intended use.
There are indoor, outdoor, and other specialty types.
Cleats
Cleats come in all different shapes and sizes.
These days, you can get some really cool art and colors on your shoes!
Optional
Jerseys
Represent your favorite teams and players while you’re on the pitch!
https://www.fanatics.com/soccer-gear/x-381605+z-94277330-4058512167
Shin Guards
With all that kicking, you want to make sure your shins are protected!
Get yourself some shin guards, and don’t forget a couple of pairs of soccer socks:
Basic Concepts
How to play
Soccer has gameplay that is similar to hockey or basketball, in that you’re trying to put the ball into the opponent’s net (to score) more times than they do.
Soccer has some specific rules, such as offside, as well as throw-ins from an out of bounds ball, goal keeper kicks, and free kicks/penalty shots. We will get into those below.
The general idea is to control the ball for as much time as possible, and get past defenders for a shot on goal.
A soft touch with your feet, keeping your head up while you run/dribble the ball, and perceiving where the ball will end up are skills that will help you immensely as you improve at soccer.
Basic Concepts: How to Play
Basic Concepts: Positions
Common Mistakes
core movements
Core Movements:
There are three important movements in soccer.
You have running, kicking the ball, and controlling the ball.
Further to these, you’ll need to learn how to dribble the ball, make passing decisions, and use your head when required.
Basic Concepts: How to Play
Basic Concepts: Dribbling
Key Takeaways:
Basic Concepts: Passing and Shooting
Key Takeaways:
Bend your knees!
Get in front of the ball!
Take the ball early if you can, don’t wait for it to come to you!
Basic Concepts: Receiving A Pass (Trap the Ball)
Key Takeaways:
Bend your knees!
Get under the ball!
Watch the ball all the way until it’s in your glove!
Basic Concepts: Heading the Ball
Key Takeaways:
Bend your knees!
Get under the ball!
Watch the ball all the way until it’s in your glove!
Exercises
At Home Practice:
Practicing at home is the quickest way to gain skills at any sport!
When possible, grab a partner to pass the ball back and forth with, or have one person play goalkeeper for ten shots then alternate.
Cones can be very helpful for dribbling work in soccer practice, and having a net to hang behind the goal will mean you don’t have to chase down the ball after you hit the target.
Soccer has a lot of skills that you can practice solo, from running drills, to juggling the ball, to using your head and other body parts.
At Home Practice: Basic Drills
At Home Practice: Ball Skills
At Home Practice: Learn to Juggle
At Home Practice: Ten Minute Drills
How to Warm Up for Soccer:
Warming up properly helps avoid injuries.
Soccer can be fast-paced, with quick turns, jumps, and potential contact with defenders.
Use these exercises to warm up before a game, and don’t forget to stretch when you get home!
Warm Ups: Basic Warm Up
Warm Ups: Intermediate Dynamic Warm Up
Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic Stretching is an important post-game routine that will help your body recover faster from the game.
Fitness and Strength for Soccer:
Soccer involves a lot of motions, but primarily it’s all about running.
In order to excel at soccer, you’ve got to get faster, fitter, and quicker on your feet.
While practicing ball control is very important, don’t forget to work on your fitness, strength, and stamina.
After all, you want to make sure you’ve got the energy at the end of the game to make that final push!
Exercises: Conditioning
Exercises: More Conditioning!
Inspiration
Get Inspired!
Epic videos to inspire you at your next game!
Maradona’s incredible ball control!
Amazing Goals!