Great soccer players are aware of the game and the different parts of it.

It may sound simple but great soccer players look around a lot, away from the ball and their target. However this doesn’t mean they get distracted.
While playing they try to understand what is happening at every moment. They study the movements of their team, their competitors and the ball.

Use your vision to predict the movements of the game and seek out weaknesses that you can use to your advantage.

Don’t React, Respond.

When placed in a high intensity soccer game inexperienced players often mindlessly react to situations. For example, some defenders when placed under pressure, blast the ball away from their opposition at any opportunity that they get. This decision often times leads to the other team getting the ball back to attack again.

A more effective strategy is to respond to the situation. Study the player’s movements and their different options. Ask yourself which players do they have available to pass to and to what direction do they have the most space to run to? By putting yourself in the shoes of your opposition you gain insight on what their next decision may be. Use this knowledge to contain the player and wait for the best time to make your attack.

Metaphorically think about it as if you are in the eye of a hurricane. A hurricane can be blowing everything around with powerful winds, but in the center there is an eye that is clear and still. That’s where we want to be. That’s the difference between reacting, being thrown around by the hurricane and responding, being centered and grounded in the middle of the storm.

Practicing this strategy over time will allow you to have a more effective response-ability. You can choose your response rather than mindlessly reacting all of the time.