by: Justin RandolphPosted on:

Soccer Tips for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide (25 Tips!)

Table of Contents

Welcome to our ultimate guide, introducing 25 soccer tips for beginners!

Soccer is a game for the masses, enjoyed by more than one billion people around the world. And if you’re planning to start playing soccer for the first time, you’ve come to the right place!

At Soccer Knowledge Hub, our goal is to provide soccer fans and players with accurate, in-depth information about the various aspects of the beautiful game.

Therefore, we’ve decided to put together this ultimate guide that offers 25 soccer tips for beginners. By the end of this piece, you will have all the information that you need to get started as a soccer player, so be sure to read through to the end!

Ready to dive in? Let’s go.

 *Our published content contains affiliate links that may lead to a small commission. Full disclosure here.

Tip 1: Start watching soccer

If you’re keen to start playing soccer as a beginner, then I assume that you’ve already watched a few live games on TV or in person! But our first soccer tip for beginners is to start watching soccer regularly. 

You can tune into global leagues on TV, including MLS, the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and several others, to watch elite soccer every week. This is important because it helps you study the game while learning about the rules and positions that feature within soccer. 

Alternatively, you could start watching little league or amateur soccer in your area if you don’t want to pay for coverage of soccer online or via the TV. This can also be a great way to get involved in a soccer club in your local area and will help you with the other tips listed in this article. 

But before you start playing soccer, it’s really important to watch a few games first so you get a decent understanding of how things work and how the game flows. As a result, watching soccer will serve as the foundation upon which you can build to improve your soccer knowledge!

Tip 2: Understand the basic rules

While soccer is relatively simple to understand in many respects, some of the rules of the game can take a little bit of getting used to. The offside and handball rules, for instance, are far from straightforward for beginners to understand! 

Of course, you don’t need to know 100% of the rules before taking to a soccer pitch for the first time, but you do need to understand the basic rules of soccer and how they affect the outcome of a match.

The best way to do this is to tune into soccer games, as you will be able to learn the rules as you go. This is preferable to sitting at home reading the soccer rule book, as you will quickly lose motivation and inspiration by doing so. 

Our writers author in-depth, jargon-free soccer rule explanations (written by qualified referees) that will help you learn about the rules of soccer. You can reach out in the comments section of any of our published posts if you have any questions about the rules that we explain!

Tip 3: Pick a team to support and follow

When you’re just getting started as a soccer player or supporter, one of the easiest ways to engage with the sport is to pick a team to support and follow throughout the season. This could be a team that is local to you or a team that dominates European soccer, for instance. 

When picking a soccer team to follow, it’s helpful to think about geography first and foremost. For instance, I support Orlando City as I live on the outskirts of the City, and I can regularly watch my team in action.

I also enjoy watching the EPL, and I loosely support Manchester United. By support, I mean that I follow their results and tune into their games when they’re broadcast live. I don’t have the same passion for Manchester United as I do for Orlando City, but picking a team in each league keeps me motivated to watch games throughout the year. 

Choosing a soccer team to support can be challenging, so you might find our recent article helpful, where we go into detail about what you need to consider before picking a soccer team to cheer on.

Tip 4: Work on your fitness levels

Assuming that you want to play soccer as a beginner, a good way to prepare is to work on your fitness levels. Soccer is a physically demanding sport and requires high levels of fitness and intensity for success out on the field. 

While you certainly don’t need to be as fit as a professional soccer player, being able to get up and down the soccer pitch will significantly enhance your enjoyment of the game and, just as importantly, will reduce your likelihood of succumbing to injury. 

You don’t need to join a gym or start an expensive fitness regime to get in shape for soccer, either. You can improve your fitness levels by going for runs around your local area and working on your strength and conditioning.

If you really want to get into great shape, high-intensity workouts work well for soccer, as they reflect the on-field intensity that is unique to the sport. Whether you perform these workouts alone or at the gym, they will prepare you for the physical demands of playing soccer for the first time!

Tip 5: Join a local team

Now that you’ve started watching soccer and have worked on your fitness levels, it’s time to think about joining a local team! There are lots of ways to go about this, but the best way is to search for local amateur soccer teams in your area via a Google search.

Conversely, you can use platforms like Facebook and Meetup to discover local soccer teams that are currently looking for players and reach out to the organizers to find out how to join. 

While it might seem daunting at first, you will find that most soccer clubs are open to new players who wish to join and have no issues with welcoming beginner players to their ranks. Although you might not land a starting position on the field right away, you can start training with the team, working on your skills in the process.

We put together this helpful article that explains how to find a soccer league near you, and it will serve you well as you take your first steps toward joining a local soccer team.

Tip 6: Practice often

You’ve heard the saying ‘practice makes perfect,’ right? It’s applicable to everything in life, and the more you practice something, the better you will become at it. The same is true of soccer, and while natural ability does help, most of the skills that soccer coaches value can be taught. 

As a beginner, you should focus on your first touch and passing, as they are extremely important skills for all aspects of soccer. You need to have a good first touch when attacking and defending, and being able to hit an accurate pass can make a huge difference.

You can practice your touch and passing against a brick wall at home or by recruiting a friend or family member to pass the ball to. You don’t need complicated drills or sessions to work on your touch, and it’s something that you can do in your own time. 

So, alongside your training sessions, make sure that you practice soccer often in your spare time, and you will see the rewards when you take to the field with your teammates.

Tip 7: Consider your position

One of the biggest decisions you need to make when playing soccer for the first time is what position you will play on the field. Do you fancy yourself as a fullback or a center forward, for instance?

A helpful way to consider your position is to think about your attributes. If you’re tall and strong, you would be well suited to a central defensive position. Conversely, if you’re slight and quick, you might excel as a winger. 

The reason why it’s important to consider your position is that you will need to work on the correct aspects of your game, depending on the position that you opt to play. For example, if you want to be a goalkeeper, there’s little point in working on your shooting! 

Helpfully, your coach will be able to offer advice on a suitable position for your current skills and attributes. But you will also find our guide to the easiest soccer positions helpful, as we introduce some of the best positions for beginner players to try.

Tip 8: Read up on soccer

You might have heard some of the best coaches and players in the world referred to as ‘students of the game.’ This is more than a cliche and refers to the fact that they study the game away from the field. 

Having a resource like Soccer Knowledge Hub close at hand is important, as it provides you with lots of beginner tips and explanations regarding some of the most crucial aspects of the beautiful game of soccer. 

But you should also read up more widely about soccer. You can follow news stories on your favorite apps and read newspaper coverage of your chosen team to broaden your knowledge of soccer.

There are also lots of excellent books out there, written by legends of the game, that you might find insightful and inspiring. We put together this list of the best soccer books to read right now, which could be a great starting point for your in-depth study of the game.

Tip 9: Ask for advice

When you’re new to anything, it’s really important to improve by seeking advice from those willing to give it. As a beginner soccer player, your coach is the perfect person to advise you, so it’s important that you’re receptive to their feedback. 

Your coach might offer advice on your positioning or things that you can work on, but it’s also important that you take responsibility and ask directly for guidance and feedback, as your coach might not always be forthcoming. 

As soon as you have identified areas for potential improvement, it’s a good idea to incorporate specific drills and routines into your training schedule to ensure that you can show your coach significant improvements as the season progresses.

If a family member or friend is a keen soccer fan or player, you can always ask them for advice on how to improve your performance, and it can be a great way to supplement the information provided by the coach.

Tip 10: Make connections within soccer

As a beginner soccer player, you might not currently know other people who watch or play the sport. This isn’t anything to worry about, but it is really important that you start making connections within soccer to ensure that you stay motivated. 

Of course, you can connect with your teammates and coaches, but there are other ways to build your network within the game. Look to social media groups on Facebook to find like-minded soccer players and fans in your area, as they can be great people to connect with.

We’ve mentioned it already, but MeetUp is another great place to connect with potential soccer players in your area. I joined a 6v6 league that was advertised on MeetUp in Florida, and I now have a group of connections in soccer as a result while playing soccer every week.

Ultimately, the more people that you connect with in soccer, the more opportunities that will arise, providing you with the best possible experience as you play the beautiful game for the first time.

Tip 11: Take notes

When you’re learning a new skill, it’s really helpful to take notes about your experiences, so you can reflect on them as you progress. While you learn soccer through experience, it’s still helpful to take notes in between training sessions and games. 

Journalling is a tactic that people use in a whole host of disciplines, and there’s no reason why it can’t help you as you seek to master soccer. You can take notes regarding rules, experiences, matches, and what you would like to improve.

You can then keep your journal close at hand for reference throughout the season, charting your journey as you look to improve as a soccer player. 

Something I enjoyed doing when I played competitive soccer as a youth player was keeping notes about my goals and assists. I love looking back on it now and reflecting on some of the games that I played when I was younger!

Tip 12: Join a fantasy soccer league

Fantasy soccer is exceptionally popular and is a really fun and engaging way to boost your knowledge and interest in the sport. If you’re not familiar with the concept, fantasy soccer invites you to pick a team each game week, with every player in your squad acquiring points that accumulate to a grand total. 

You can join leagues to compete against your family and friends, but you can also join international leagues where you go up against soccer supporters from different parts of the world. 

There are lots of different soccer fantasy leagues to join, but one of the best is Fantasy Premier League – the official game of the EPL.

It’s completely free to join and play and is a great way to learn more about soccer while having fun at the same time.

Tip 13: Play soccer video games

If Fantasy Premier League isn’t your thing, you can try your hand at the various soccer games that are available on iOS and Android. There are dozens of free and paid games that you can download on your phone – too many to list here! 

Of course, one of the best soccer video games to play is FIFA 23, the latest in the popular franchise that is always one of the most widely played games on any console. It’s essentially soccer’s version of Madden, offering gamers the chance to play as so many different teams. 

If you fancy something a little more in-depth than the FIFA series, you can opt for a legendary game called Football Manager. Available on PC and handheld, Football Manager puts you in the dugout as you try and guide your team to soccer glory.

The reason that it’s so good for beginners is that it provides you with a huge database of soccer teams and players to explore, as well as different tactics that you can use for your teams. It’s fun, but it’s actually a really good learning experience for beginner soccer players!

Tip 14: Get the right equipment

One of the reasons why I love soccer is that you can get started without investing huge amounts of money in equipment, as is the case with some sports like golf. 

To play soccer, you need a pair of cleats, some shinguards, and some sporty attire, and you’re all set, enabling you to get started for anywhere between $50 and $100. 

Of course, lots of people spend considerably more than this, but the cost of soccer equipment shouldn’t be a barrier to entry to the beautiful game, and there’s absolutely no need to buy the latest and most expensive equipment to enjoy soccer as a beginner.

Our writers author helpful pieces about soccer equipment for beginners on Soccer Knowledge Hub, providing you with some recommendations based on our own experiences in the game. You can use it as a helpful guide when you’re looking for the necessary soccer equipment to buy when you’re just getting started.

Tip 15: Attend live soccer matches

The very first soccer tip for beginners in this article suggests that you should start watching soccer matches. But we want to take it further by suggesting that you should try and attend some matches live and in person when you’re learning all about the game. 

When you take your seat in a stadium, you get to soak up the atmosphere while cheering on your favorite team. This in itself is motivation enough to buy a ticket for a live soccer match, and you will find that it’s a super enjoyable experience. 

But attending live soccer matches also provides you with a unique outlook on soccer in real-time. As a beginner, you can watch from the stands as two teams battle it out against each other. Specifically, watching soccer live can help with your positioning, as you can model your performance on professional players.

Once you’ve picked a soccer team to follow, be sure to reserve a ticket for an upcoming match and set about studying their approach from the bleachers.

Tip 16: Play small-sided soccer

Although lots of players are attracted to 11-a-side soccer, the reality is that small-sided games can be equally (if not more) enjoyable. Joining a 5v5 or 6v6 league is a great way to play soccer casually, and it provides you with more touches of the ball throughout the game.

Small-sided soccer is also usually played in better spirits than full-sided matches, offering beginners ample opportunity to adapt to the gameplay and hone their skills from the outset.

I played 11-a-side soccer until I was 18, but I made the switch to sevens when I went to university. I found the small-sided games much more enjoyable than 11-a-side matches, and I continue playing small-sided soccer to this day. 

As a beginner, you can even choose to play full-size and small-sided soccer, as playing both simultaneously can help you develop your skills more quickly than if you play just one version of the beautiful game.

Tip 17: Involve your friends and family

Learning a new hobby can certainly be challenging, particularly if you go it alone. Therefore, it’s undoubtedly helpful to involve your friends and family in your soccer journey, no matter how you go about it. 

If you have a close friend or sibling who might also be interested in playing soccer as a beginner, invite them to tryouts or an initial training session. This is a great way to deal with some of the nerves you might be feeling about playing for the first time.

However, if there’s nobody in your immediate circle that might be interested in playing soccer, there’s no reason not to ask them to come and watch you as you start playing for the first time. 

Having a familiar face on the side of the pitch can make a huge difference to your performance levels and will motivate you to go the extra distance to impress your coach and fellow players.

Tip 18: Consider taking a referee course

Even if you don’t want to become a referee, you can take a referees course in order to boost your understanding of the rules associated with soccer. This is a path that many soccer players take when they decide that they no longer want to play. 

As a beginner, you will have to study hard and take in a lot of new information, but completing a referee course can be an excellent way to bolster your soccer knowledge as a beginner.

I took a referee course in 2013, and I have been officiating little league soccer, and grassroots matches ever since. The course has provided me with an excellent grasp of the minutiae of the game I love, and I’m so grateful for it. 

But even if refereeing a soccer match is the last thing that’s on your mind, signing up for a match officials course is a great way to boost your understanding of the game.

Tip 19: Attend organised training sessions

You can certainly work on your skills in your own time, but to truly progress as a soccer player, it’s important to attend organized training sessions by coaches. Of course, if you’ve joined a soccer team, training is a big part of your contribution to the team. 

However, if you’re not part of a team, you can look to holiday camps that run during breaks in work and school schedules. Many soccer camps are intensive and focus on specific aspects of the game, helping you to refine your skills in a short space of time. 

Many are open to beginners and afford you the opportunity to connect with other soccer players in your area, making them ideal for anyone who is just getting started in soccer.

If you attend school, college, or university, you can look for soccer camps that are arranged by your school, or you can enquire for more information from your student’s union or the institution’s sports body.

Tip 20: Learn from your teammates

An important piece of advice for beginner soccer players is to learn as much as you can from your teammates. When you’re fortunate to play alongside people who have played soccer for a long time, you can learn so much about their attitude, skills, and general approach to the game.

Everyone likes offering guidance and advice to other people, so ask your teammates directly for help with specific aspects of your game. 

You can also learn from your teammates through observation. Consider everything from their pre-game preparations to their on-field positioning, as your teammates are excellent potential role models for your soccer development.

Tip 21: Practice with a small soccer ball

An excellent soccer tip for beginners is to practice with a small soccer ball. While adults typically play with a size 5 ball, you can invest in a mini ball or a size 3 to improve your first touch and various skills. 

For instance, juggling with a mini ball requires a lot of skill and attention to detail, and when you practice with a small soccer ball, it makes things much easier when the match comes around, and you return to a full-size soccer ball. 

No matter your age, you can practice with a small soccer ball out on the training field, and you will almost certainly see improvements when it comes to your first touch and control.

In a recent article, we explained everything you need to know about soccer ball sizes, so you can easily identify a small soccer ball that will help to improve your skills.

Tip 22: Don’t be too hard on yourself

I don’t know about you, but when I try something for the first time, I have a tendency to expect perfection. As a result, I berate myself when things don’t go according to plan, which can be incredibly demotivating. 

Therefore, when you’re enjoying soccer as a beginner, don’t be too hard on yourself. If you make a mistake that leads to a goal or get your positioning wrong out on the field, reflect on why things didn’t work out as you planned and resolve to go again.

Everyone makes mistakes in soccer, even the very best players on the planet. So, as a beginner soccer player, it’s completely unreasonable to expect perfection from your performance! 

Instead, recognize that mistakes happen and move on. If you’re too hard on yourself, you will struggle to enjoy soccer going forward, which is the whole point of getting involved in the first place!

Tip 23: Follow soccer players on social media

Following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe on social media is a great way to remain inspired throughout the season. Even if you don’t harbor ambitions to make it as a professional player, it’s never a bad idea to keep up to date with those at the pinnacle of the game. 

You can also follow players from the teams that you support, providing you with insight into what goes on behind the scenes and on the training field, which can further add to your motivation levels.

What’s more, following pro soccer players online also provides you with more tips that you can use throughout the season as you look to improve out on the field. 

At the same time, you should look to follow the clubs that you support on social media, so you can receive all of the latest information related to their performances!

Tip 24: Focus on the basics

As I bring this article to a close, I want to encourage you to focus on the basics of soccer above all else when you’re just starting out. Mastering the basics is much better than trying a whole host of different things that might not necessarily help your performance. 

The basics of soccer include passing, shooting, dribbling, and tackling. If you can do all four of these things competently, you can enjoy soccer as a beginner.

You don’t need to be an expert in one area or another. Simply having the fundamental skill to execute these basics will enhance your experience out on the soccer field. 

Then, of course, you can work on the specific areas of your game associated with your position before mastering the basics and transitioning from a beginner to an intermediate player.

Tip 25: Enjoy yourself!

And my final tip for all you soccer newbies out there? Enjoy yourself! 

Soccer is known as the beautiful game, and I think it’s such a good way to keep fit and enjoy the great outdoors. 

But it can also get competitive, which is also healthy. As a player, you need to make sure you maintain a balance between healthy competition and enjoyment to ensure you get the absolute most out of soccer as a beginner.

Recap: The best soccer tips for beginners

Playing soccer for the first time can be daunting, but following the 25 tips listed above can undoubtedly help you as you enjoy the most popular sport in the world! 

If you have anything to add to this guide or have any questions about getting started in soccer, drop me a line in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you!

Other than that, I wish you all the best as you start your journey as a beginner soccer player!

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