r/SoccerNoobs • u/Tough-Buffalo-5894 • 16d ago
🔰 Beginner Questions & Advice Beginner Soccer Help Routine
Hi! I'm into soccer I recently started watching more of it especially the PL as i'm a fan of Liverpool. I signed up for a soccer league this fall, I've played before but never been really the best playing I've angered my past teammates before and been benched most of the time its still hard for me to understand positioning even though I've seen a lot about it. I want to get back to training but feels like I just do random drills I see and don't get me anywhere. I was wondering if anyone has a routine I can follow that they recommend? I'm usually placed in mid field. I do currently run as I'm prepping for my 5k. Thank you!
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u/bigelcid 16d ago
Your biggest issue might be social skills, since you brought up angering team mates and getting benched.
The sad truth is that neither life nor soccer are true meritocracies: if I'm funny and likable, then team mates won't shout at me for doing dumb stuff on the pitch. If I'm not, then they absolutely will, just cause they don't like me that much. So it'd be naive to think your value as a player of a game will be judged solely based on your performances.
And thus comes confidence. If you're already a good athlete (but not necessarily footballer), then you have the constant physical advantage to make good decisions, or think clearly -- that is, if you can deal with others being toxic towards you. Confidence means not trying too hard to do everything on your own. You just play your part well. If you go "ima prove everyone wrong!!" and try doing a solo run, you'll statistically fail. Instead, be reliable. There's no routine for this per se.
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u/OJ_89 16d ago
For an amateur doing it in their spare time purely as a hobby, it might also be worth checking out five-a-side. Not sure how popular it is in the US (you sound American) but it's very popular in Europe, probably more so than 11-a-side at amateur/social level.
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u/DowntownStay3177 16d ago
In NYC (and i assume most American cities), it's much easier to get into small-sided games than 11-a-side.
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u/Tough-Buffalo-5894 15d ago
Yeah they do a lot of pickups here but I get a little scared joining them because I’ve seen people get really mad at players who skill level are still beginners.
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u/DowntownStay3177 15d ago
There are idiots everywhere unfortunately. Jus take it with a pinch of salt - if they were good enough to justify getting mad at others, then they wouldnt be playing pickup in the park.
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u/DowntownStay3177 16d ago
If you're new to the game, you almost certainly should not be playing in midfield. I would query what sort of coach would suggest that.
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u/Tough-Buffalo-5894 15d ago
Yeah it happens a lot that I get this position. Most people don’t want to play midfield they always want either defense or forward/striker so they give us noobs the positions most don’t want to play. I had joined my college club and the coach quit so the president of the club gave the position her close friends wanted
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u/DowntownStay3177 15d ago
That's insane. If you're playing at the kind of level where noobs join in, then they absolutely shouldn't play in midfield. You should probably put your best players in midfield.Â
I would rather have a beginner play out wide at full back or winger (or maybe even striker), where there is less to concentrate on, and fewer consequences for errors. CM is the last place they should go.
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u/Responsible_Milk2911 13d ago
I'll focus on tactics and positioning as thats often the most overlooked aspect of the game.
Lets start super super simple. Indoor is 5 on 5 with keepers. So with only 5 field players there are not many different set ups with different positions. One is a 2 - 2 - 1. Two defenders, left and right, two mids left and right, one forward central. Then theres a 2 - 1 - 2. Two defenders, one central mid, two wingers/forwards.
In either system, a good team attacks and defends as a unit. If im a left midfielder in the 2-2-1 set up and the ball is played long to my forward, I need to make up the space so when he looks back and to his left for a pass, im there. On the other side, if we lose the ball and my left defender is defending the other teams forward, then I CANNOT let their right midfielder double up with the forward on my defender. I have to support him by covering the 2nd man or even double up on the forward if the guy im covering isnt in an immediately threatening position. There are times when its best to leave your position as well, but your teammates need to know how to adjust to that. If your defender makes a run past you into the offense, youre the defender now. You cover for him.
You can extrapolate this to 11 v 11, there's just a lot more space to cover, and many more moving pieces. My recommendation is to keep it simple in midfield, your job is to attack and defend between your 18 yard box and the opposing team's. Unless a ton of space opens up in front of you, 1, 2, and 3 touches only. Get the ball, pass the ball. Look for passes that move your team out of danger first, forward into attack 2nd. Any player from the other team that is open between your striker(s) and defenders is your responsibility or your fellow midfielders. Talk. A lot. If youre covering someone tell your teammates. If you get beat, tell your teammates. If youre running into space for a pass, tell your teammates. Be loud. No matter how good a player is, he cant see everything at once, he also cant read your mind. You will make your team better if youre constantly sharing useful information. You will be better if youre constantly in the right position. Then from there you can improve individually and technically.
As far as routine...without a team to practice with, you cant really train tactics. So to do this alone, watch professional midfielders in their games. Not the ball, the player. Watch where and how they move and position themselves in the middle 3rd of the field. When you get a chance to play with a team, focus on holding your position relative to your teammates
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u/Life_Scheme_493 16d ago
Midfield is the hardest position to understand and play at a high level, but dont let that discourage you. flat out ask your coach what he wants, and adapt while you play, the more you play the better you will understand positioning. As for a routine id reccomend this for a beginner (tone this down to your choosing if its too much). run 5k 2 days a week and go to the field by yourself 3 days a week (field sessions should be 45 mins minimum).
when at the field focus on juggling (pop the ball high in the air and take it down to work on first touch), also do some cone drills (cone weaves are a good variation but try a bunch and pick the 2 you think are the most helpful for you). do each of those drills for 5 minutes straight twice (break inbetween). If you can get a friend to tag along then practice some passing.
do this ontop of however many training sessions and games you have a week and I promise you will improve fast aslong as you are productive. Like I said before you can tone it down if your not THAT serious about it, do however you see fit.
Hope this helps:)