The best part about playing soccer is playing in the games. Practice and all the rest of it are cool, but all the preparation is for the Game. With that being said, if you aren’t a starter on your team and not getting the minutes you want, you better start doing something to change that. We at Perfect Soccer want you to know that all it takes is you to get to where you want to be! I’ll repeat it. All it takes is YOU to get to where you want to be.

 Let’s get you to that point. Let’s get you to the point where you are confident, technical gifted, tactically savvy, and physically strong. Are you ready?

Here are the four tips to getting to be a starter on your team.

1. Extra Work ( Outworking everyone)

You have to do something differently if you want to see change. What you’ve been doing isn’t working, and that’s ok. Once you can come to this realization, you’ll begin to be on the right path. The work has to be put in every day. If you aren’t working, there is a good chance other players are. You have to take all the necessary steps that put you in the best position to succeed. You have to place a high priority on working on your technical ability. Every day you need to get touches on the ball. Doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, it can be as easy as juggling the ball or hitting the ball against the wall. No substitute for this kind of work, it’s that simple. When I was a kid, Anytime I was early to practice, I would grab my ball and practice my juggling, or my dribbling. Practice ends, and I’d work on my shooting, corner kicks, or crossing the ball.

2. Talk with your coaches

Your coaches are there to teach you the game and to give you feedback on areas where you need to improve, and also remind you of the things you do well. You and your coach need to be on the same page, and if you're not, it will make for a difficult time. If your coach thinks you need to get better in a particular area, and you feel you need to get better in a different area, signals are crossed. You have to go up to your coach and ask to speak with them. Be honest and let your coach know you want to earn more playing time and need to know what that will take. That shows initiative, and that you care, coaches will like that!  

3. Making the most of your minutes.

Whether you play 5 minutes, 2 minutes, or 15, you have to play hard and play to the best of your ability. If you are mad about the minutes you get, don't go out on the field and jog around and not be enthusiastic about the opportunity. In the moment it is tough, I've been there before and have played 30 seconds in a game. In those 30 seconds, I made the most of it! Don't take things for granted, and relish the opportunity. You never know if you'll ever get another chance at it!

4. Be A Good Teammate 

It is easy not to be a good teammate when you're not playing. It is easy not to let your teammates know they're playing well or to cheer on the teammate when you're not playing. Don't be that teammate, because they'll be a day when the roles are reversed, and you won't want your teammates to talk smack and be supportive.