Women’s football has come a long way. This year was the summer of women’s football in England, as the national team proved that women can be as professional as men are, and even better considering they are usually more disciplined and sometimes more hard working.
The popularity of female teams around the globe has increased considerably, so women who are passionate about football can now turn their hobby into a career. I’ve always been an advocate for motivating girls to play football, and seeing how the England national women’s football team has gone from strength to strength this year, many girls would be motivated to pursue a career in sports.
But before diving in, I would be good to read this short guide to know what to expect.
First off, as in any other sport, if you want to be successful, you need to work hard and train. This means you will have to dedicate a lot of time to training sessions and actual matches. And if you are new to the sport, read about the rules, strategies, training methods and different styles of play. Then practice passing, shooting, crossing, and dribbling through the basic techniques.
Secondly, you need to remember that football is a team sport so you need to learn to work as a team. Look out for your other players, defend for them and watch for the space when a member of your team has the ball. Being a good sport is the best thing you can do on the field, and it makes the game more fun for everyone.
When it comes to the actual game, there are some tips that could help you improve your performance on the field. As such, it is important to always chase after the ball, try your best to make the best passes with it and take it the furthest towards score. And don’t worry if you make mistakes, keep chasing after the ball and the more you practice, the better you’ll get.
The easiest way to improve your game is to start small. Practice short passes at first and then practice your long passes. Additionally, when preparing to shoot for goal, shoot wide and low because it’s harder for the keeper to block this way.
Keep in mind that juggling is great for improving ball control, while running helps you improve your stamina.
When you get the ball, concentrate on what you have to do with it, try to avoid running towards places where there are a lot of other places. If you see no escape, pass the ball to a team member quickly. That way you show your team spirit and you’ll avoid losing the ball to the other team.
Last but not least, remember to stay positive, get involved and learn to support your team members.
As for the equipment you need to play football, our advice is to buy a pair of long lasting football boots and a pair of good and sturdy shin pads. Wearing a good sports bra is also important for women.