With the world's biggest soccer tournament underway, there's no better to sharpen your athletic skills. Maintaining fluidity and control are the hardest skills for players to master. Beachside Soccer Club, a youth soccer program in Southern Connecticut, shares a few common mistakes and advice to correct them:

4 Common Soccer Ball-Handling Errors

1. Lack of Control While Running 

Many younger players run faster than they can dribble the ball, and thus lose contact. To rectify this, players should practice walking while dribbling and gradually increase their speed to a light jog. Over time, they'll handle the ball deftly at higher speeds. 

2. Letting the Ball Get Away

Another challenge is knowing how far ahead to kick the ball without losing possession. Inexperienced players often kick it way too far, allowing the other team to steal the ball or sending it out of bounds. Players should learn to kick softly while traveling at higher speeds. 

3. Problems Turning 

Even after youth soccer players get more experienced at dribbling, they must learn how to make sharp turns with the ball. This skill is difficult to master, but drills such as a slalom through cones can hone their abilities. 

4. Excessive Dribbling

Every child on the field should handle the ball at some point, so no one player should dribble for too long. Soccer is all about movement, and players should learn to possess the ball just long enough to make a strong, decisive pass or take a shot at the goal.

For youth soccer players interested in sharpening their dribbling, passing, and goal-scoring skills, Beachside Soccer Club is the premier soccer program in Fairfield County. Featuring highly experienced coaches and world-class training techniques, Beachside Soccer Club teaches budding athletes between the ages of 5 and 13 all the essentials to becoming better, more versatile players. Visit the soccer training program's website to learn more about its philosophy, or call directly at (203) 852-6969.