Dribbling
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in soccer. Dribbling is how one player moves the ball up and down the field. To dribble, the player moves the ball back and forth from one foot to the other. This is done by shoving, pushing, tapping, or nudging the ball with the inside, outside, or sole of the foot.

Passing
Passing is another important skill in soccer. Passing is how a team moves the ball down the field, from one player to another. There are several different types of passes. The most common pass is called the push pass. This pass is used the most in soccer because it is the most accurate of all passes. To execute a push, pass you should use the inside of the foot, strike the ball in the middle, plant the nonkicking foot alongside of the ball and follow through with the kicking foot in the direction that you want the ball to go. As in every sport, you should keep your eyes on the ball as you make the pass.

Another type of pass is the long pass. The long pass is executed when you want to pass the ball to a teammate who is far away. To execute a successful long pass, approach the ball at a slight angle, keep the nonkicking foot to the side and slightly behind the ball, strike the ball low, with the instep, and follow through with a full swing. Again the foot should follow through in the direction in which the pass is made.

A backward pass is sometimes executed by players. This involves striking the ball with the heel or the sole of the kicking foot. To execute the backward pass, plant the nonkicking foot to the side, and in front of the ball, swing your kicking foot backwards, striking the ball with your heel or rolling the ball back with the sole of your shoe.

Another type of pass is the chip pass. This type of pass will loft the ball into the air. The player should strike the bottom of the ball with his toe with the nonkicking foot planted to the side of the ball. The kicking foot should not have a follow through, which should lift the ball into the air and impart backspin on it.

A final way to make a pass is to use the head.

Shooting
Shooting is an important skill, because this is the skill used to score. All players love to score a goal. To shoot, the kicking leg should be flexed at the knee and the hip with the non-kicking foot planted beside the ball. Kick the ball - forcefully - with the instep or laces of your kicking foot and follow the kick through completely, aiming for the corners.

Trapping
Trapping is how to stop a moving soccer ball, so you can gain control of it. Trapping can be done with the feet, thigh, chest, or head by getting in front of the ball and moving the part of the body that is doing the trapping in the same direction that the ball is moving. This will 'cushion' the ball, helping it to stop close to the body. Remember to relax and cushion the ball.

Throw-in
The throw-in is executed when the ball has gone out of play crossing over one of the touch lines on either side. You must throw the ball back into play by delivering the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous motion.

Heading
Heading is striking the ball with your head to shoot or pass. To successfully execute a header, keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Strike the ball with the forehead, directly below the hairline, aiming your head in the direction in which you want the ball to go. To practice headers it is a good idea to use an under-inflated ball.

Tackling
In soccer, the ball is tackled, not the player as in American football. Tackling is an important defensive skill. There are two basic types of tackles. Front Block Tackle -- approach the offensive player head to head, maintaining good balance. Place your weight on the nonkicking foot and strike the ball with the inside of the foot, locking the ankle. Strike the ball in the center using a short powerful kick and following through with the kicking foot. Sliding Tackle -- this tackle should only be used to stop a breakaway or to kick the ball out of play. You should slide towards the ground with your down leg folded under. Use the outstretched leg to kick the ball and the arm closest to the ground for support.

Goalkeeping
The goal keeper or goalie is probably the most important position in soccer. The goalie is the only player on the team allowed to touch the ball with his hands. The goalie is the most important defensive player, and the last player to try to prevent a goal from being scored. The goalie can also start an offensive attack once he or she has controlled the shot, by distributing the ball to his teammates.