3 Golden Rules of Soccer
One of the most hotly debated topics in the soccer world is the difference between a good player and a great player. We wish there was just one answer. But the truth is, great players are distinguished by several behaviors, and the way they approach the game in general.
We call these behaviors “Golden Rules” because following them is a surefire path to elite status. This is what college coaches look for in potential recruits, largely because mastering the Golden Rules isn’t easy.
Without further ado, here are three of the Golden Rules of Soccer:
1. Play Fast, Think Faster
A tell-tale sign of an elite player is a faster speed of play. They’re constantly moving and taking action, instead of pausing and contemplating their next move.
How do elite players play so fast? By using their soccer IQ to anticipate what’s about to happen. They instantly know what is about to happen based on the last time they were in a similar situation (or saw a similar situation in a game they watched) and put themselves in an advantageous position based on the previous outcome.
This allows the player to predict where the ball will most likely end up, how the other team will most likely react, etc. The quicker you can tap into your experience to anticipate what will most likely unfold next, the faster you’ll play.
2. React First
In our previous rule, we established that elite players are constantly taking action. What many young players forget is, it’s ok if it is not the perfectly right action.
Reacting quickly - instead of waiting around - is so important in soccer that it’s best to get used to it as soon as possible, even if you make a few mistakes along the way. In other words, it’s better to react quickly and potentially make a mistake than to react slowly, because that’s already a mistake in itself.
And we’re not just talking about when you have the ball. Elite players are always moving - even when they’re nowhere near the ball - because they’re making educated guesses as to what’s about to happen next and acting on these predictions (a.k.a. reacting). When your reactions are based on previous experiences (thanks to your high soccer IQ), you’ll find yourself guessing right more often than not.
3. Win Your Matchups
Whether you’re an attacking or defending player, there’s a pretty easy way to tell if you’re good at your position: it’s your ability to dominate 1v1s.
If you can consistently achieve a favorable outcome in this situation, you are an incredibly valuable asset to your team. You could even say it turns you into your team’s “secret weapon.”
As an attacking player, the ability to dominate 1v1s means you can maintain control of the ball in critical moments and penetrate the defense.
As a defending player, it means you can prevent attacking players from carrying the ball into advantageous spots on the field and force them to either drop the ball back or take a shot that’ll be easy for your keeper to clean up.
When your team knows you can do your job, they play with a lot more confidence, and rightfully so. Put simply, your team is much less likely to lose when you can dominate 1v1s.
Have You Seen These Golden Rules in Action?
Understanding these Golden Rules is much easier when you’ve seen them in action. That’s why we created BGTV, a massive library of professional footage organized by position with analysis from professional players. These clips feature high-level players making smart decisions - like anticipating where the ball is about to end up - with breakdowns explaining how the player knew what to do in this situation.
When you find yourself in a similar situation in your next match, you’ll remember the footage you watched, rather than hesitating and wondering what to do. Coaches will also be very impressed by your decision-making and heightened soccer IQ.
Ready to check out BGTV? Use code FREEMONTH1 to get the first month free.
