catch the ball high
High passes happen and as a receiver you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Here are some simple steps to making a high catch: First and foremost, extend your arms and hold your hands together in a diamond shape to catch the ball. Never catch or try to catch a ball with your body, especially a high ball. Once you have your hands around the ball, don’t take your eyes off the ball, follow it straight into your crease. If you look away for any reason, you’ll lose focus and have a higher chance of missing the pass or, worse yet, turning the ball over.
Water inside and outside the field
Drinking plenty of water is all that is needed to prevent dehydration and therefore should be an important part of soccer practice. Each athlete must bring or have a water bottle, and they must use it frequently. Water should never be used as a motivational or reward type base. When players are hydrated and energized, they will practice more and learn more.
Build your muscles and endurance through weightlifting
Let’s not forget weightlifting. It is one of the essential elements that will help you improve your game. The benefits of lifting weights are in the added strength, but more importantly, it will increase your maximum power. Peak power should be the goal of your training, as it involves muscle strength and muscle movement during play. This effort will help you as a soccer player to execute your skills on the field with speed and strength. We highly recommend working with a personal trainer when lifting weights to make sure you’re doing it correctly and to help you design a program that fits his position.
Strength and Conditioning: Up Downs
The popular conditioning exercise known as “up downs” is a very effective way to increase cardiovascular activity and endurance. This drill involves having players run in place as fast and hard as they can. Then, at random, a coach will yell, “down” or blow a whistle in which players must drop to the ground, do a push-up, and then run back in place. Since ups and downs require stamina and strength, players are advised to start with short, slow bursts and work up to longer, more intense sessions.