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If you’ve ever wondered how to get better at soccer, you’re not alone. Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, and players of all ages are constantly looking for ways to sharpen their skills, boost their performance, and stand out on the field. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an advanced player aiming to dominate your matches, this guide provides the step-by-step strategies, drills, and techniques you need to elevate your game.
"Greatness in soccer isn’t built in the spotlight,” says Simon Collins, Director of Soccer at IMG Academy. “It’s earned in the quiet moments when no one’s watching. Every touch, every sprint, every repetition is a step closer to being the player you want to become. Talent sets the baseline, but dedication decides the outcome. Stay present, stay humble, and keep showing up, because the work always finds its way to the field."
Mastering the Fundamentals
Before diving into advanced tactics, it’s crucial to build a strong foundation. Soccer success starts with consistent practice and an understanding of the basics.
Ball Control and Dribbling
Ball control is the backbone of every great soccer player. The more comfortable you are with the ball at your feet, the more confident you’ll be under pressure. Try these drills from IMG Academy’s George Sasvari:
Dribbling Drills to Improve Touch:
- 4 Corners Drill: Place four cones in a square. Dribble around each cone using both the inside and outside of your feet. This sharpens close control and agility. As you become more comfortable with your technique, level up by having a teammate defend you.
- Shielding & Protecting the Ball: Practice holding off a defender by positioning your body between them and the ball, using your arms and hips for balance.
- Footwork for Escaping Pressure: Work on quick side steps, pivots, and roll-overs to create space against aggressive defenders.
- Daily Dribbling Routine: Consistent dribbling practice not only improves your skill but also builds muscle memory so you can react instinctively in game situations. Developing a daily routine like the one Sasvari demonstrates in the video above helps ball control become instinctive.
Passing and Receiving
Accurate passing keeps your team’s rhythm flowing. Work on both short passes and long diagonal balls. A great drill is the triangle passing drill, where you and two teammates pass and move continuously, emphasizing first touch and accuracy.
Defense
When players ask “how do I get better at defending in soccer?”, the answer always comes back to three fundamentals: pressing smartly, closing space quickly, and holding proper defensive positioning. These drills, Press & Cue, Closing Speed, and Defensive Positioning, are designed to help defenders win more one-on-one battles, shut down attackers, and build confidence on the field.
Follow along with IMG Academy soccer coach, Mel Mahler, and several student-athletes as they guide you through three soccer drills that will help you become a better defender.
Press & Cue Drill
What It Is
The Press & Cue drill teaches defenders how to pressure attackers at the right moment, using body language and tactical cues to force mistakes.
How to Do It
- Set Up: Create a small 10-yard grid with one attacker and one defender.
- Pressure: As soon as the attacker receives the ball, the defender should close down on the attacker quickly, decelerating to maintain body control and positioning as they approach the ball-handler.
- Cue Recognition: As the ball-handler dribbles back and forth along the base of the grid, the defender should put enough pressure on the ball to be within an arm’s length of the attacker. Once the defender can tap the ball-handler’s shoulder, the defender retreats to their starting position and the players switch roles.
- Objective: The defender’s goal is not just to win the ball but to force the attacker into predictable decisions, like passing backward or moving wide.
Why It Works
This drill sharpens defensive awareness, helping players understand when to apply pressure and how to angle their body to limit the attacker’s options.
Closing Speed Drill
What It Is
Closing Speed focuses on the defender’s ability to cover ground quickly and arrive in control to challenge the attacker without over-committing.
How to Do It
- Set Up: Place an attacker 15–20 yards from the goal with a ball. The defender starts further back, about 10 yards away.
- Trigger: The coach or another teammate passes to the attacker.
- Sprint & Slow: The defender sprints at top speed to close space, then decelerates 2 to 3 yards away to regain balance.
- Engage: Once under control, the defender gets into a low stance, ready to contain or tackle.
Why It Works
Defenders often get beat because they either arrive too slowly or rush in recklessly. This drill trains the perfect balance: fast acceleration with controlled deceleration.
Defensive Positioning Drill
What It Is
Defensive Positioning trains players to angle their body and maintain proper spacing so attackers have limited options. This drill trains one-on-one defense in a two-on-two.
How to Do It
- Set Up: Use cones to mark a square of about 10-yard per side. Place attackers at two corners, with defenders facing them at the other two corners.
- Body Shape: When the drill starts, the on-ball defender should close quickly on the ball-handler, positioning themselves slightly side-on, knees bent, and angled to guide the attacker toward the sideline or away from goal. The attacker should try to move the ball forward or complete a pass to their teammate.
- Spacing: Stay an arm’s length away — close enough to pressure but far enough to react.
- Live Play: The attacking team’s goal is to advance the ball;; the defender’s goal is to delay, contain, and eventually force a mistake or win the ball.
Why It Works
Great defenders don’t just chase the ball, they use angles, distance, and anticipation to neutralize threats. This drill builds the instincts needed to control 1v1 situations and prevent dangerous plays.
Building Soccer IQ
Skill alone won’t make you unstoppable. Smart players with high soccer IQ understand how to read the game.
Positioning and Awareness
- Always Scan the Field: Keep your head up before receiving the ball so you know your next move in advance.
- Anticipate Play: Watch your teammates and opponents closely to predict their movements.
- Learn Multiple Roles: Even if you’re a striker, practicing as a defender or midfielder helps you understand team dynamics.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Train yourself to make quick, smart decisions by playing small-sided games. With fewer players on the field, you’ll have less time and space, forcing you to think faster and play sharper.
Get a head start on the mental side of soccer with IMG Academy+. Learn more here.
Developing Physical Fitness
Even with perfect technique, you won’t succeed if you can’t keep up physically.
Stamina and Conditioning Drills for Soccer
Soccer challenges athletes to maintain high-intensity performance over an extended period of time. These exercises will help you develop endurance, agility and explosiveness:
- Interval Runs: Sprint for 20 seconds, jog for 40, repeat for 15 minutes. This mimics the pace of a real match.
- Agility Ladder Drills: Improve your foot speed, balance, and coordination.
- Strength Training: Focus on bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups to build power without sacrificing mobility.
IMG Academy camps can help you improve all around
IMG Academy soccer camps offer holistic training for soccer players 10-18 with a proven methodology and expert coaches. Campers can learn skills to help at every stage of development, whether you’re trying to get recruited to play in college or just make the junior varsity team. Choose a camp below to learn even more about how to improve your game with the experts at IMG Academy.
Final Takeaway
If you want to get better at soccer, do one thing: commit to daily technical repetition. Find a wall, set a timer, and put in the reps. Pair that with the ball mastery drills from these training videos, and you’ll see results faster than you think.
Show up. Put in the touches. And trust that the work you do when no one’s watching will shine when the game begins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Getting Better at Soccer
How long does it take to improve at soccer?
It depends on how often you train. With consistent practice (3–4 times per week), noticeable improvements can be seen in as little as 6–8 weeks.
What’s the best age to get serious about soccer?
While many pros start young, it’s never too late. With dedication, players can improve significantly at any age.
What drills help improve dribbling the fastest?
The 4 Corners drill, cone weaves, and 1v1 shielding exercises are excellent for building close ball control and agility.
How can I get better at soccer if I don’t have a team?
Work on solo drills like juggling, wall passes, shooting practice, and conditioning. Joining pickup games is also a great way to gain experience.
How do I stay motivated when progress feels slow?
Track your goals, celebrate small wins, and remember that improvement comes from consistent, focused practice.
