What Are the Fundamental Skills in Soccer?

Professional soccer teams playing a championship game use the same fundamental skills as young children learning to play for the first time. Most skills require players to understand basic ball controlling techniques, whether using foot, knee or head. Goalkeepers must also learn to control the ball with their hands.

  1. Kicking

    • A player's ability to kick determines that player's ability with other skills, including dribbling, receiving, passing and shooting. The supporting foot has as much importance as the kicking foot, as you need proper balance for both ground kicks and volleys.

    Heading

    • Players who head a ball incorrectly risk injury to the neck. A standard header requires the player to arch his back. A diving header requires the player to propel his entire body toward the ball. A flick header uses the back of the player's head to strike the ball.

    Dribbling

    • Successful dribbling prevents the ball from being stolen by the other team. The player must kick the ball from one foot to the other, often while moving slightly. Most dribbling uses an instep, but skilled players also know how to dribble with the outside of their feet.

    Tackling

    • A defender uses tackling to prevent his opponent from moving freely or having a simple route to the goal. The moment a dribbler kicks the ball far enough in front, a defender tackles the ball by kicking it away.

    Goalkeeping

    • The goalkeeper uses any means necessary to block the ball from getting into the goal. The goalkeeper either catches the ball, usually with his hands, or clears the ball by redirecting it as it approaches.

    Receiving

    • Receiving the ball requires an ability to trap it using effective eye-hand coordination. First touch occurs when a player first has the opportunity to stop the ball at his feet. Trapping occurs when a player stops the ball and quickly gets it under his control.

    Passing

    • Successful passing requires a player to stop and quickly kick the ball to a teammate. Players should face the direction they wish to pass in, pause with one foot planted on the ground and kick the ball to their teammates using the inside of the foot for maximum control.

    Shielding

    • Shielding the ball prevents an opposing player from stealing it away. The player maintains a steady balance and uses his body as a wall, keeping the opposing player at his back, incapable of pushing him away to get at the ball.

    Shooting

    • Shooting refers to the action of kicking the ball into the goal. To shoot the ball, a player must plant his weak foot next to the ball and kick with his strong foot, either focusing on power, accuracy or a combination of both.

    Juggling

    • Juggling rarely appears within the average soccer game, but a player who knows how to juggle the ball has an advantage. Players juggle the ball by keeping it in the air using various parts of the body, including the feet, knee, thigh and head.