If you are looking to find out more about soccer, you're in the best place. Your desire to become a better player has led you to this article, and you're going to learn some great advice. Keep reading jilard for the information that will take your game to the next level.

When you get the ball in soccer, make sure to play it quickly. You need to get and give the ball quickly in just a couple touches. If you hold on to it too long, you increase your chances of losing it. Even if you don't lose it, holding it too long can destroy an attack and provide an opportunity for the other team to get back on defense.

Recognize that how you pass the ball to someone else has meaning. For example, a hard pass indicates a sense of urgency, and it may tell the player that someone is coming up on them. A soft pass often indicates that you want the player to retreat toward you a little. There is much you can say on the field, even without words.

Be aware that the ball can come to you at any point in time. That means that you have to be ready to receive it, or you risk having possession of the ball transferred to the other team. If you are constantly on the move, and filled with energy, the other team will have to step up their game to match your enthusiasm.

Shielding is an important soccer skill. Practice with another person, and try dribbling the ball around in a square. Encourage the other person to try and take the ball away. To be successful, make sure that your body stays between your opponent and the ball. The more you practice, the better you will be in the game.

If you're down midfield then you need to look to what's going on in both sides of the field. You need to be prepared to get the ball at one place and get it to another in good time. It is essential to know where open and defense players are all the time.

Before each soccer match, make sure you take the time to do some pregame warm-ups and stretching. By following this pregame ritual, you will decrease your chances of sustaining a connective tissue injury. By providing additional blood flow to your muscles, tendons and ligaments, warm-ups and stretching increases your body's flexibility. Your lower body should be the focus of your stretching exercises.

It is important to practice playing soccer at home in your free-time, not just during practices. Doing drills and practicing handling the ball will help you when it is time for games. Putting a net in your yard to practice shooting goals can be very helpful to perfect that tricky shot.

If you are a goalie, you must learn to stay low. By learning to stay low and balanced, you will be able to block most shots. Be ready to lunge toward either side of the goal. This is best accomplished by spreading your legs approximately shoulder width apart and then lunging toward the ball when it is kicked.

One thing you should always avoid when playing soccer is being a ball hog. When you act this  way, it makes it less likely that your teammates will pass you the ball in the future. In turn, the coach may keep you on the bench for the majority of the season.

Do you now feel about your soccer knowledge? Will it be useful as you work on your soccer skills? Now is the time to get casino-token going! Get out there and give your new skills a try. There is so much more you can learn, so remember always to keep an open mind and keep practicing!