5 Ways to improve playing soccer in 2023?

Orange Football Network
7 min readMay 26, 2023

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In the modern era of soccer, the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement has become a shared goal among players and enthusiasts. As we step into the year 2023, the landscape of soccer training and skill development has evolved, offering exciting opportunities for players to enhance their game. In this article, we will explore the 5 most effective strategies and tools to improve playing soccer in 2023. From traditional means such as soccer academies, YouTube channels, soccer camps, and community teams to innovative advancements like soccer training apps, we will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Join us as we delve into the world of soccer education and discover how you can take your skills to new heights.

Means to Consider in Improving Your Game

Soccer Academy:
Soccer academies have long been regarded as a traditional and structured approach to learning the beautiful game. These specialized training centers provide players with expert guidance, comprehensive programs, and a chance to hone their skills in a focused environment. However, there are certain disadvantages to consider.

  1. Limited accessibility:
    Soccer academies are often located in specific regions or cities, making it challenging for individuals who do not have easy access to them.
  2. Time commitment:
    Attending a soccer academy typically requires a significant time commitment, which may not be feasible for individuals with busy schedules or other commitments.
  3. Cost:
    Soccer academies often come with enrollment fees and training expenses, which can be a financial burden for some individuals.
  4. Lack of flexibility:
    The structured nature of soccer academies may limit the ability to customize training programs based on individual needs and goals.

Youtube Channels:
YouTube channels have emerged as a popular source for soccer training content. These channels offer a wide array of tutorials, drills, and tips, providing aspiring players with accessible resources to improve their skills. However, there are certain disadvantages associated with relying solely on YouTube for soccer training.

  1. Lack of personalized guidance:
    While YouTube channels provide a wealth of training content, they do not offer personalized guidance or feedback tailored to an individual’s specific needs.
  2. Inconsistent quality:
    The quality and reliability of the content on YouTube channels can vary, making it challenging to find consistently reliable and accurate information.
  3. Difficulty in tracking progress:
    YouTube channels generally do not offer progress-tracking tools, making it difficult for learners to monitor their development and set measurable goals.

Soccer Camps & Workshops:
Soccer camps and workshops provide intensive training experiences, often conducted by experienced coaches or former professional players. These programs offer players a chance to immerse themselves in a concentrated training environment, learn new techniques, and refine their skills. However, there are certain limitations to consider.

  1. Limited duration:
    Soccer camps or workshops are typically conducted over a short period, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. This limited duration may not provide sustained and long-term training.
  2. Geographic constraints:
    Participating in soccer camps or workshops often requires travel to a specific location, which may be inconvenient or inaccessible for some individuals.
  3. Cost and availability:
    The cost of attending soccer camps or workshops, including registration fees, accommodation, and travel expenses, can be a barrier for individuals with financial constraints. Additionally, these opportunities may not be available in every region or during all seasons.

Joining Local Amateur Leagues or Community Teams:
For many aspiring players, joining local amateur leagues or community teams is a popular way to develop their skills, gain match experience, and be part of a soccer community. These grassroots platforms offer opportunities for players to engage in regular matches and improve their game. However, there are certain limitations to consider.

  1. Skill disparity:
    Local amateur leagues and community teams can consist of players with varying skill levels. Joining such leagues may result in playing against opponents who are either significantly better or less experienced, limiting the opportunity for balanced development.
  2. Lack of structured training:
    While participating in local leagues or community teams offers opportunities for match experience, there may be a lack of structured training and focused skill development.
  3. Limited access to expert guidance:
    Unlike soccer training apps, local leagues or community teams may not have access to experienced coaches who can provide individualized instruction and feedback.

Considering all these limitations, an idea may have popped in your head by now. ‘Then is there any other way to improve soccer skills?’

Soccer Training Apps: An Alternative Approach

In addition to traditional means of learning soccer such as soccer academies, YouTube channels, soccer camps, and community teams, an alternative approach that has gained significant popularity is the use of soccer training apps. These innovative apps provide a convenient, accessible, and personalized way to enhance skills and knowledge of the game. Let’s explore how soccer training apps can address the limitations of traditional methods:

1. Accessibility and Flexibility:
Soccer training apps offer the advantage of being accessible anytime and anywhere. Unlike soccer academies that require physical attendance at specific locations or limited availability of camps and workshops, soccer training apps provide a virtual training platform that can be accessed from the comfort of one’s own home or on the go. This level of accessibility ensures that individuals, regardless of their geographical location or busy schedules, can engage in consistent and structured training.

2. Personalization and Customization:
One of the standout features of soccer training apps is their ability to tailor training programs to the individual needs and goals of each user. Unlike YouTube channels or community teams that provide generic content or training experiences for a broad audience, soccer training apps utilize intelligent algorithms to create personalized training sessions. By understanding users’ skill levels, strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, these apps curate training modules and drills that focus on specific areas for improvement, ensuring a more targeted and efficient learning experience.

Personalized Contents from Orange Football Network
Personalized Contents from Orange Football Network

In Orange Football Network(OFN), hundreds of contents that are curated based on your preferred positions. You can learn to know how to make the best decision and apply the right skills to improve your game.

3. Comprehensive Training Resources:
Soccer training apps provide a comprehensive library of training materials, including video tutorials, interactive drills, tactical insights, and fitness programs. These resources are often developed in collaboration with coaches and experts associated with the app service platforms, ensuring access to expert guidance and insights into the game’s finer nuances. By offering a diverse range of training content, soccer training apps cater to all aspects of the game, from technical skills and tactical awareness to physical conditioning and mental resilience.

4. Progress Tracking and Performance Analysis:
Unlike traditional methods of learning soccer, soccer training apps excel in providing tools for progress tracking and performance analysis. Detailed statistics, performance graphs, and personal records allow users to monitor their development over time, set benchmarks, and identify areas that require further attention. This data-driven approach empowers individuals to track their progress, stay motivated, and refine their training approach for optimal improvement.

Progress Tracking Feature in Techne Futbol

Techne Futbol provides features like a practice log, training calendar, training streak, etc to track your progress and improvements.

5. Engaging Community and Feedback Mechanisms:
While soccer academies, YouTube channels, and community teams offer opportunities for social interaction and camaraderie, soccer training apps incorporate features that foster a sense of community within their virtual platforms. Interactive forums, live chats, and social media integration enable users to connect with fellow enthusiasts, seek advice, share achievements, and participate in friendly competitions. Moreover, some apps facilitate direct feedback from coaches or offer virtual coaching sessions, providing a level of guidance and support that can rival in-person training experiences.

Community Feature in Train Effective

One example of a soccer training app with the community feature is Train Effective. The app provides the community feed feature to see how other players your age are training and improving themselves.

By embracing the advancements in technology and utilizing soccer training apps as an alternative means of learning, individuals can benefit from the flexibility, personalization, comprehensive resources, progress tracking, and community engagement that these apps offer. Combining the convenience of digital platforms with the expertise of top coaches, soccer training apps have revolutionized the way players of all levels can enhance their skills and reach new heights in the game.

Final Words

As the soccer landscape enters 2023, the quest for improvement in the game has never been more dynamic and accessible. Whether through traditional means such as soccer academies, YouTube channels, soccer camps, and community teams or by embracing the technological advancements offered by soccer training apps, players now have an array of options to enhance their soccer abilities. By weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, individuals can make informed choices about how to best invest their time and effort in improving their playing skills. Whether you choose to engage in structured training programs, leverage online resources, participate in immersive workshops, or embrace the convenience of technology-driven learning, the journey to becoming a better soccer player is within reach. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead in 2023 and unlock your true potential on the soccer pitch.

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Orange Football Network

A global sports education content platform that gives youth around the world access to the know-how of Europe's top clubs.