When you’re new to any sport, it can take a while to get used to how it all works! After all, sports are complex and there are so many rules, regulations, and various aspects to the games that seem pretty alien to the uninitiated!
But helpfully, soccer isn’t too difficult to pick up, particularly when compared with American football. Or at least we don’t think so.
If you’re new to the beautiful game, then this blog post is going to help you learn as much as you can about soccer, so you’re ready to enjoy it with your friends in no time at all.
Let’s begin with the basics!
Is soccer easy to learn?
The short answer is yes, we think soccer is easy to learn. This is mainly because the premise of the game is so simple and you can watch and play the sport all around the world. You can tune into sports channels, watch YouTube videos, and play soccer video games to learn how to play and watch the sport. To help you learn how to play soccer, we introduce you to some of our top tips below.
Start by watching some short videos on YouTube
YouTube is full of awesome soccer content, and you can find a whole range of exciting videos on the platform that you will find interesting and insightful. Tune into old World Cup matches or watch clips of the most famous soccer players to get you started.
As you will quickly learn, soccer is all about putting the ball in the back of the net! After spending a little time on the Internet satisfying your curiosity, it’s time to crank things up a notch.
Tune into a live game
One of the greatest things about soccer is that there are so many televised fixtures shown live on various platforms. In the US, the likes of Fox and ESPN show live matches domestically and from abroad, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long to tune into an upcoming game.
What’s more, Apple has recently announced a huge deal to claim exclusive rights for showing the MLS going forward, which will help the game to grow.
When you’re watching the match, listen to the commentary and start to familiarize yourself with some of the terms that they use. It might also be helpful to invite a friend over to watch the match with you, so you can ask them some questions if you get a little confused by what’s happening on the screen.
Look for a local MeetUp group
Are you now ready to take to the field, inspired by the events you have just watched?! If so, we salute you! You’re now ready to look for soccer opportunities in your area. One of the best ways to do this is to research soccer MeetUps in your locale.
Most groups welcome players of all abilities, even if you’ve never played the game before! Some actually stipulate their level, so you could always look for beginner groups to join if you’re feeling a little anxious about getting started.
The beauty of MeetUp groups is that they’re particularly social, and most people are concerned with having a good time rather than winning every match they play! While it’s a great entry route into soccer, it’s also an awesome way to make new friends.
Looking for further advice on how to join a soccer group or league? Read our post on how to find soccer leagues near you!
Pick up the right gear
In preparation for your first soccer outing, you need to make sure you’ve got the right gear. We’re absolutely not saying that you need to go and spend hundreds of bucks on the latest soccer equipment, however!
Head to your local Dick’s Sporting Goods or any other outlet and grab a pair of suitable soccer cleats and shinguards. If the group you’re joining plays on grass, you will need cleats, but if it’s an indoor group, normal trainers should be fine.
Other than that, you will just need a long pair of socks to cover your shinguards, and you can get started by playing in your gym gear.
Choose a team to support and cheer them on
Finally, the perfect way to learn football as you go is to support a team.
Whether you pick an MLS team from your state or want to support one of the big European clubs, it’s entirely up to you.
Actively cheering on a team and tuning into their matches is an excellent way of learning the rules of the game as you go, and it’s super fun at the same time!
Actively cheering on a team and tuning into their matches is an excellent way of learning the rules of the game as you go, and it’s super fun at the same time! In no time at all, you will have developed sufficient knowledge to at least know the basics, and you can continue attending your local MeetUp group as you hone your soccer skills!
The verdict: Learning how to play soccer
As we’ve explained, learning how to play soccer isn’t too taxing. While there are lots of rules associated with the sport, don’t get too hung up on them in the early days.
Rather, tune into matches and get out onto the field as soon as you can. You will pick the basics up in no time, and you will soon find that you’re falling in love with the beautiful game!
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