Bouncing off the walls
Believe it or not, there are many differences between an outdoor and an indoor game. Indoor games generally have fewer people playing on each team, with the sizes ranging from five per side to seven per side — at a generally fast and aggressive pace. If you’re desiring to play soccer year round and are looking for a pitch without snow, indoor might be a winner for you. However, it’s important to know that the two kinds have some really subtile differences — know them and master them so you can be an indoor start! Take these tips from CoachUp with you to improve your indoor skills.
Cleats
First, and most importantly, make sure proper gear is being used! Never use regular cleats in an indoor soccer game. This is a mistake many players make, and it often leads to injury. Because the surface for indoor soccer is hard-top, regular cleats will hurt your game. In fact, most indoor leagues won’t even allow cleats in any context. If you can’t play, you can’t succeed, simple as that.
Offside
Take advantage of many league’s no-offside rule. We don’t endorse cherry-picking or lazy defensive tactics, but remember that if you think you have to hold your run or can’t move into open space. Penalty Kicks – One difference between indoor soccer and with outdoor soccer is the way a penalty shot is taken. Indoor soccer rules state that penalties have to be taken as a shootout. This means that a player can dribble and then face the goalkeeper.
A great strategy that can be used to score a penalty shot is to face the goalie, try and hit the wall next to the goal, then run up behind the goalie and just tap in your rebound. This own-pass strategy will confuse the goalie. If applied right this play could prove extremely helpful. Conditioning – Another useful indoor soccer tip is to always have fresh legs on the field. Be sure that your team has at least one person on the bench. Indoor Soccer is a much faster paced game because of the size of the field and the amount of players per team therefore it is easier to get tired.
Evading Opponents – A final tip is, when in possession of the ball and facing an opponent close to a wall, bounce the ball off the wall and go around your opponent. This move will help you get around defenders easily. The main difference I noticed between indoor soccer and regular outdoor soccer is that skilled players seem to be better indoor soccer players. Since the field is smaller, you need good foot skills to take on opponents. In regular outdoor soccer there is more field to work with, so fast players can use their speed as an advantage to beat an opponent. In indoor soccer, skill and tactical play (passing, strategy, etc.) is much more important than speed. To learn all the skills needed to dominate your indoor soccer league, sign up for private coaching sessions at CoachUp to take your game to another level.
