There is no doubt, that professional football is a competitive business. To live up to a shot, you have to have an edge over the competition and be the best of the best. But how is it done? In this article, we explore some tips for becoming a footballer.
1. PLAY THE GAME
Devotion to the game is what will set you apart from others.
To become a professional soccer player, you have to live and breathe the game. The journey won’t be smooth sailing, but your passion will help you get through the bad and tough times.
If you want to be a professional athlete in today’s market, you have to be 100% committed. Every fiber of your being needs determination to make it through; without this, you will fall behind the competition.
2. LEARN THE SPORT INSIDE AND OUT
Learn as much as you can about football.
Watch games, read books, and talk to pro players whenever you can. Ask them for advice on tactics and how to climb the leaderboards.
To help you progress in your career, gain a solid understanding of what famous players have done to be successful.
3. EXERCISE REGULARLY
While this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how often this point gets sidelined.
To become a soccer player, training once a week isn’t going to cut it. To be better than the competition, training regularly is essential. If your club offers training or summer camps, use those as well.
Not only will you learn new skills, but you will feed off the competitiveness and enthusiasm of other players.
Boot camps are designed to teach you many new skills in a short period. If possible, also participate in matches organized outside your club. Look to participate in tournaments that represent your school, state, or county at the youth level.
4. RUN EVERY DAY
Running a few miles each day is a great cardiovascular workout and will keep your body in peak fitness. If possible, try to incorporate some hills into your route.
For even better results, find a steep hill and run up about 100 feet and then back down. Repeat this exercise ten times before finishing the run.
Doing this every day will help you get fitter and stronger, allowing you to play your best game for longer.
5. DO EXERCISES TO INCREASE YOUR SPEED
Find a barrel or other sturdy object about 150cm tall. Stand on the object and jump off, landing on both feet in a squatting position.
Once you hit the ground, get to your feet as quickly as possible. This exercise will strengthen your leg muscles to improve your speed. It’s also a great way to improve your reflexes. To avoid injury, make sure you are warmed up and relaxed before practicing this exercise.
6. LEARN TO PLAY WITH BOTH FEET
While most soccer players play better with one foot than the other, it’s important to know how to use both. Instead of improving your touch with your dominant foot, focus on your weaker foot for a quick win.
Being able to play well with both feet is something that will set you apart from the crowd and attract the attention of talent scouts. You can improve your weaker foot by using it to kick a ball against a block.
Another great way is to play a scratch game during training where everyone uses their weaker foot. This doesn’t require much effort and you will notice the results after just a few games.
7. LEARN FROM THE PROS
To become a professional soccer player, learn from those who have already done it. See how footballers play in the Premier League and copy their moves and tactics.
It may seem obvious, but you’d be amazed how many players ignore it! For best results, pick a player playing in your position and watch him closely. Pay attention to his positions when on and off the ball and follow suit.
8. GO THROUGH THE DEGREE LEVELS
If you don’t already belong to a club, join now. Whether you choose a school team, a district team, or a local club, attend training sessions and games regularly.
From there, keep an eye out for recruiting academies. Known for turning young players into pros, academies are well worth the competitive entry process.
If you don’t get into an academy, don’t panic. Keep developing your skills and move up to more competitive and selective teams every year. Eventually, progress from your youth team to a collegiate team or semi-pro club. Keep improving every year and leveling up gradually.
9. EVALUATE YOURSELF AS A PLAYER
Once you have some experience under your belt, evaluate yourself as a player. Take a look at your skills and find out which position you are best suited for. To understand this, don’t just think about yourself.
Consider how your strengths benefit your teammates and how your skills fit into the game as a whole. Since the sport is so competitive, you must be extraordinary at what you do.
To do this, choose your location and perfect your skills. Seek your coach’s honest opinion about your talents and strengths. Heed this advice and identify ways to enhance your natural talent.
10. KNOW WHAT A SCOUT IS LOOKING FOR
To be selected for a professional tryout, you’ll need to impress the scout. Trained by the PFSA, a scout can appear at any time to check on your team. With that in mind, it’s important to play your best in every match.
To impress a scout, you need to know what they’re looking for. In addition to your ballplay, a scout will evaluate your entire attitude. Your character will be watched as much as your talent, so he shows your team ethos by helping your teammates. While competitiveness and ambition are important, he plays fair and stick to the rules.
IN SUMMARY
Becoming a professional soccer player is not easy, but the above tips can bring you one step closer to your goals. To stay ahead of the competition, play the game, practice regularly, and hone your skills. In every game you play, give 100% and keep calm. You never know who might be watching.