The basics of winning in any sport are the same. It requires skill, practice and the will to win. You also need to keep an open mind and keep learning and adapting. Here are some new things to help you become a better player and asset to your team.

This may seem intuitive, but remember to always maintain eye contact with the ball. Football is a fast-paced game and if you get distracted for a moment, you can lose sight of the ball. If you lose the ball, you risk giving your opponent a chance to score.

When teaching your kids to play soccer, make sure they learn how to dribble. Many people learn by simply kicking the ball forward and chasing, but this does not provide control and allows the opponent to steal it. Have them run slowly and use different parts of their legs to keep the ball in front of them. Teach them to stop it in one place by gently tapping the top of the ball while dribbling to prepare it for passing.

Make sure you don’t use your fingers when shooting. Use laces when shooting. To successfully kick the ball, point your toes and hit the ball against the laces of your kicking foot. Make sure your toes are pointing down but not touching the ground.

Now that you have the knowledge of new tricks to try, get out there and practice. Take some time to learn these new skills. Share them with your teammates and practice new skills together. When soccer season arrives, you’ll be ready to take on the toughest opponents and win.