<p>I really want to learn a new sport. I was thinking about this girls under-19 recreational league since I've been a "futbol" fan forever, but I'm not sure where to start. Most of these girls have been playing soccer since they were 5 (btw I'm almost 17). What can I do to train to become a decent addition to a team before the spring season starts?</p>
<p>Do you know anyone that plays soccer? They could practice with you.</p>
<p>If you feel that you aren't up to the competition level of the other girls, try a less intense city league or something like that.</p>
<p>Conversely, if you feel that you can handle the stress of playing with people who are better than you, go for the league. You'll learn a lot and become a much better player. But be prepared to practice lots on your own.</p>
<p>To train, you should condition to get in top physical condition. Practices usually last 2 to 3 hours, and you need to be able to keep up.
Also, start juggling a soccerball whenever you can, because it is a fundamental drill that can improve your touch. Begin passing with other people to improve your trapping/receiving and passing.</p>
<p>BTW, I'm not a pro-trainer. These are just the basics to train on your own.</p>
<p>personally i do not get what is so special about soccer. its so hard to keep possession of the ball. its hard (for me lol) to control the ball and its EXTREMELY hard not to trip/tangle legs while trying to get the ball. also isnt soccer supposed to like guarantee knee injuries?</p>
<p>^a very lame opinion about soccer from someone who sucks at it lol(maybe i am just bitter because this really good runner on our XC team is doing Soccer instead of Outdoor Track)</p>
<p>
[quote]
personally i do not get what is so special about soccer. its so hard to keep possession of the ball. its hard (for me lol) to control the ball and its EXTREMELY hard not to trip/tangle legs while trying to get the ball. also isnt soccer supposed to like guarantee knee injuries?
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That's why it's a brilliant game!</p>
<p>First, go for jogs like 4-5 times a week. A thing that coaches don't like is when players just do nothing because they are tired. from too much running.. and they just stand there. and when the ball comes, they just, slowllllly run towards the ball (and then the opponent takes it).</p>
<p>Also, learn how to pass directly to a specific target/area. I hate it when some people accidently pass to the other team because they jsut want to kick the ball away.</p>
<p>Like greencloth said, juggle the ball between your feet 100+ times each day. Just tap from one foot to the other very quickly. Try not to look down while you do this (this may be hard for you if this is the first time..)</p>
<p>And decide what position you want to play. If you are good at passing and kicking and aiming (like very very ACCURATELY), go for striker/midfield.
If you are good at kicking hard, high, far far away (and accurately) go for defence.</p>
<p>Remember, it's important that you pass/kick accurately!!</p>
<p>And when you are at your tryouts, just keep running. If the ball is far away from you, plan out your tactics and jog on the spot - that will impress the coach guy as most beginners are such.. blahs.</p>
<p>Also, tackle. Tackle. Don't nudge the opponent with your elbows (that's a foul), just push with your shoulders. Put all your weight on the opponent. That will give them a surprise. Just bang all the people with your arm/shoulders. And hopefully, they'll fall on the ground and you'll get full possesiion of the ball.</p>
<p>Learn how to pass the ball without looking down. Dribble around without looking down.. dribble in zigzags, circles, straight, etc.. Learn to search for players whilst dribbling. Learn to header (very fun when you get the hang of it). Learn to control your ball without it getting stolen from you - practice that with a person who knows plays. Or try stealing it from someone.</p>
<p>Shout for the ball. A LOT. Try to get free of your opponents and when you are free, scream 'here (name)!!'</p>
<p>When you have mastered most of the above, practice fooling your opponent.. like, making it look like as if you are about to kick (but not kicking), pausing at unexpected times, using your outerfeet to dribble the ball in a zigzag motion, sliding across the ground, etc..</p>
<p>GOod luck with your tryouts and hope you get in!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips. I have another question- I checked out this basic skills video from the library, and they tell you to dribble with the outside of your foot. This seems really unnatural (I feel like dribbling with the inside of my foot to maintain control). Is there some way to keep control of the ball while dribbling with the outer part of your feet?</p>
<p>what how do you dribble a soccerball??</p>
<p>you just have to get the feel for the ball... set up some cones and run around them while keeping the ball as close to your body as possible.. start off the cones far apart(20ft-25ft) and as you get a feel gradually move them closer. After a while you will notice how hard and at what angle you need to kick the ball to keep it under control. Also, you better hit the weight room b/c girls soccer is vicious on pretty much all levels</p>
<p>yeah i know some girls who play soccer for my school, and they may be sweet when theyre off the field, but once they step on that pitch, they're insane. but you shouldn't be deterred by this, because it's really about competetion (or... "fun"). By far the most important thing to work on is teamwork, which obviously only comes from practicing with the team. Its really hard to win a game if you're playing for yourself, even if youre an international star. If you're not so great, a good team system will at least give you confidence while you're working your butt off trying to make some good plays.</p>
<p>Just have fun</p>
<p>Buy a soccer ball. Dribble it around your yard. Practice shooting and passing. You should also start jogging to get your endurance up.</p>
<p>terry great point.. the gym! half the team's practices are held in the gym, lifting weights, on the rowing machine, the treadmill, etc..</p>
<p>Dribbling with the outside of your feet is quite easy when you become acustomed to it. Actually, i find I have so much more control that way then dribbling iwth the inside.</p>
<p>When you practice dribbling in a zigzag pattern, use both feet, inside and outside. When you practice, you'll get it quickly.
Also, I find that when i pass to people much more accurately, with the outside of my feet.. oh and it kinda tricks the opponent if you get it at a strange angle.. you'll soon know what i'm talking about lol</p>
<p>I have played soccer with my friends for quite some time, but never on a team. However, I have seen my school's soccer team train and they are ranked, I beleive in the top ten in California. Everyday, they run 3 miles, with weights on their ankles. After that, they run suicides on the basketball for about an hour. Then they practice passing and using dummies as the opposite teams and maneuvering around them for another hour. Then its shooting and this is where the goalie gets some practice where the soccer team will line up around 10 balls and 10 players line up and have to hit it where the coach tells them to. Basically... the whole point is, if you got speed and ability to work as a team (passing, not hogging), you are pretty much set.</p>
<p>ewe i hate suicides.</p>