Fundamental skills to become a good football player.

In this article, we break down the most important soccer skills to become a good football player, Here are some fundamental skills.

Fundamental skills to become a good football player.

To become a great soccer player, you’ll also need game intelligence, physical fitness, and the proper mindset. 

Soccer is a sport unlike almost all others, as the feet are needed for technical skills more than the hands.

A number of fundamental skills are needed to play soccer, with advanced players able to build on the fundamental skills for more complex and precise dribbling, passing and shooting.

The skills of a soccer player also vary from one position to another, with a goalkeeper needing much different skills than a field player.

Fundamental skills :

1. Controlling : To control the ball is to master it. Properly controlling the ball means that a move will be successful.

The control move-ments to focus on are directed control and gathering the ball while moving these will introduce speed into the play. 

2. Passing : This is the action of giving the ball to a team-mate. It is an essential part of team play. As the core of the game,  passing allows a team to : 

• (a) Keep possession of the ball; 
• (b) Set up attacks; 
• (c) Change the direction of play; 
• (d) Counter-attack; 
• (e) Provide a decisive or final pass. 

3. Shooting : This is an action with the objective of dispatching the ball into the opponent’s goal. It is the logical conclusion, the culmination of an attack. It is what football is all about. Shooting requires technical qualities (striking the ball well, accuracy), physical qualities (power, coordination, balance) and mental qualities (determination, audacity, self-confidence). 

4. Dribbling : This is how an individual moves with the ball when faced by opponents or obstacles.  Dribbling allows the player in possession of the ball to eliminate one or more opponents by : 

• (a) Making a manoeuvre and taking individual risks; 
• (b) Setting up a team move; 
• (c) Gaining time to allow support from team-mates; 
• (d) Deceiving an opponent (the concept of the feint). 

5. Headers : Headers can be associated with mastery of the ball (juggling and control) and passing or shooting the ball. Heading is an essential skill for defending and marking.

6. Goalkeeping

The goalkeeper is the last line of defense, in charge of doing whatever possible to keep the ball out of the net.

As goalie, you can use your entire body, including your hands and arms, to stop the ball. The best way for a goalie to catch the ball is to form a “W” with your thumbs and index fingers, with your hands open and palms facing away from you.

This will help you catch a ball traveling at a high speed without it going through your hands. The other fundamental skill for goalies is punting, which is how you distribute the ball upfield after making a save.

Hold the ball over your dominant foot, and then drop the ball as you swing your foot, making contact and sending the ball through the air. Land on your “shooting” foot on your follow through like you are taking a shot.