Any advice for a late bloomer in the sport?

[18yardboxterror25]

I'm 16 yrs old and i've just completed my first year of high school soccer. I'm a well-rounded athlete, I play lacrosse, I used to play high school football for two years and i'm currently on the Wrestling team. Aside from all of that I have a deep passion for the sport and I carry my ball everywhere I go. I know there are no guarantees for me going to the next level but I feel that my physical attributes will take me that far. Speed comes natural to me, so does nifty footwork. During the past season, I made the starting eleven based on my work ethic and determination to be successful in the sport. The Coach switched me at both full-back spots in defense. I was more comfortable at Right-Back spot because i'm right footed. So now that i'm in the off-season, what should I do to develop my overall skills?


I'm also optimistic to try-out for as a Striker next time around, any tips? Thanks!

[GreenDay]

Play. Every. Day.

[RevdUp]

quoted by Greenday...

Play. Every. Day.
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True... the best advice given!
There is nothing like repetition to hard-wire the brain... and given time, make the activity seem second nature to you.

[Ictar]

Just take the advice you've already been given. Get friends and kick it around, and if you're by yourself (which I have to do all the time) find a wall, preferrably with grass at the bottom, and kick it at that.

[fidlerre]

yep...

play. play indoor. play outdoor.

play with yourself. play with friends.

if you are comfortable with right, and not your left.

stop using your right and always use your left foot.

the ability to use both feet equally well is very important.

[GreenDay]

Originally posted by fidlerre

play with yourself. I'm not sure that'll help yuo that much! ;)

But yeah, you said you're right-footed. You need to be both-footed! Whatever you do do it equally with both feet. A good way to start developing left foot control is juggling from foot to foot. I can't understand guys who practice shots with only one foot - to me it's like going to the gym and only pumping the right bicep.

[Jc18star]

Try and play in small sided games to develop your ball skills and over all comfort with the ball at your feet.

If you do play an indoor game try futsal if you can find it in your area, for a developing player and someone who is a bit older and needs to catch up quick this sport will help you because:

1) there is no wall to rely on and you must use your own mind and skill to beat the player in fron of you

2) the ball is smaller and heavier so you can't just boot it away in the air you have to get a little classy and savy with your clearences and distribution from the back

3) you can play almost positionless soccer this way not limiting yourself to a strict attacking or defending role and helping to balence your game and develop a wide range of skills

And I know everyone else has said this too but the opposite foot thing is so vital as well, most players can't play with both feet and if you can that's a one up for you there already.

Just remember that your left foot and leg is not any weaker than your right it's just the use and proper ball striking skills are not burnt in to your muscle memory for that leg yet, for like a month go to a wall and do 50 inside of the foot passes, 50 outside of the foot passes and 50 light instep drives with your left and that should get your comfort level with that foot more up to par with some of the better two footed players you will face.

Good luck man and even if you don't get to play for your college team after highschool there is always a club team at your school that is a little less demanding in terms of travel and practice times and many many leagues for adult players(a couple I play in are have better teams and players than college teams I have played against in tournments). So no matter what don't stop playing and always enjoy the game

[rymannryan]

Originally posted by Jc18star
So no matter what don't stop playing and always enjoy the game


I think this is the best way to look at it. I too am a bit of a late bloomer. Although my situation is a little different than yours.

couple YMCA soccer camps between ages of 8-10.
Rec league between ages of 11-14. After that I've completed to Club level seasons and two high school JV seasons. I'm now 16 and approaching a time where I need to be very good if I ever want a chance to take it to the next level. I'll be trying out for varsity this spring. But with me, unlike you, I don't have speed. I'm not really really slow but I still need to be faster. The way I'm going to look at it is - I'm going to work my ass off to make it to the next level, and if I don't, at least I know I gave it my all.

[Wolves_67]

Be sure theirs a ball at your feet when you are just doing normal conditioning runs. Laps around the field can double their purpose.
It will help the ball become an extension of your body and movement with the ball will be "hard wired" faster.
If it's feasible and they exist, attend a few camps (some as short as a few hours) run by pros or former pros, in your area, in the off season.

[usagoal]

Originally posted by fidlerre
yep...



play with yourself.

You'll go blind and that wont help with your soccer :D

[Wolves_67]

Originally posted by usagoal
You'll go blind and that wont help with your soccer :D
And you'll get called for handballs a lot..

[ONE]

tackle hard and often.

[American40]

Play, play, and play. Oh, wait, that's been said already. Well, then, watch, watch, and watch. Watch the highest qaulity soccer you can. Watch and learn. Learn movement without the ball, positioning, responsiblities of each position.

And when your not watching, play.

[G Enriquez]

Get Fox Sports World.

[18yardboxterror25]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure the advice given will do wonders for my game.

I have another question. American40 mentioned when you're not playing, you should be watching the highest quality of soccer. Studying off ball movement by attacking minded players would require watching classic player highlight films right?

[18yardboxterror25]

Originally posted by G Enriquez
Get Fox Sports World.

Got it and i'm hooked, when i'm not out playing, i'm usually watching a late night (sometimes early morning) repeat of their featured EPL or SPL matches.

[hambone]

Just playing is not the best way to develop your skills IMO.
Playing is a very good way of getting better, obviously, but you also need to practice specific skills.
If you notice a certain part of your game that is not going well focus on that for one week. For example, if you play, and notice that the ball is bouncing off you and being controlled for the other team a lot. Work on your control and your tight one touch cuts.

If you notice you are missing your team mates. or your passes are being intercepted work on passing accuracy drills and make sure you are getting a good pace and are confident with your passing for the next week, then move on.

I suggest doing a short practise on each skill each day also though.
Try getting a friend to throw you the ball as you run towards him to practice your control.
Practise shooting.
Practise passing.
Practise heading.

If you want to improve your first touch (which everyone does) learn to juggle well and do lots of control drills.

Basically, what I am trying to say is you should play, but also do at least a little bit of skill work. You get a lot more touches in five minutes of 1-touch passing with a partner than you get in a full game.

[MarioKempes]

Small sided games, juggling on your own, practice dribbling moves in your backyard, get the Coerver "New Era" videos and do some of the routines on there. Watch high level soccer on TV.

But most of all, play play play.

[ynwaquakes]

"play with yourself"
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I hope you mean juggling with the ball or kicking against the wall????

[JoeW]

1. Technical ability. Yes, play as much soccer as you can. But the reason the small-sided games are so valuable is you get more touches of the ball.

2. Don't move too far up in level of play all the time. In fact, try playing with some local kids who are a lot younger than you (middle school)--may by assisting a local rec team. Why? Because you want to build your confidence on the ball. If you spend all your time playing kids your age and older who have more skills, you'll run and tackle well but when the ball comes to you, you'll just pass it back (or worse, treat it like a hot potatoe and kick it away!). You want to build some confidence to play with the ball and possess it while also recognizing what else is going on with play (runs teammates are making).

3. The videos approach (especially Coerver) is smart. Look at your local libraries and see if they carry those tapes. Or local soccer clubs (they may have a coaching library).

Good luck!