Seven Habits of Highly Effective Offensive Players

Are you ready to lead your soccer offense to victory? Whether you are a player, a coach, or a concerned parent, the first step to a great offensive game is to understand what traits and behaviors make the difference between an average forward and a superior one. Here are the seven key qualities of the very best offensive players and a few lessons you can learn from them.

1. They pay attention to the big picture. A good soccer player knows what's going on in every section of the field, not just their third, and nowhere is this more important than offense. Most scores are made opportunistically--that is, the player who made the goal was simply taking advantage of an opportunity. If they hadn't seen the opportunity, they wouldn't have been able to benefit from it.
2. They support their teammates. No one can be the hero all the time, which is why great forwards always position themselves to maximize their teammates' chances of scoring. They give their teammates options and help create a bubble between the ball and the opposing team's defense. You will notice on the field that the better players are not necessarily the ball hogs.
3. They think ahead. You'll see it in that quick glance around before making or collecting a pass. Great offensive players know what they are going to do with the ball before it even comes their way.
4. They are aggressive. When a great offensive player has the ball, they keep their elbows out and use their entire body to protect their space. They scare away the opposition by dribbling right toward them. There is no room for meekness in the game of soccer, especially not in the offense. Don't confuse this spirit with flat out violence, however; a would-be good player is useless if they are out of the game due to a red card.
5. They keep it simple. A good offensive player is not the one with the most complicated moves and fakes, but the one who can consistently get the ball past the goal keeper or assist another player in doing so. Leave the fancy footwork to "Dancing With The Stars".
6. They know when to hold back a little. When a great forward is surrounded, they will play the ball back until help arrives. After all, if you have a whole team of great players, help is just a few seconds away. If the odds are clearly against you, there is nothing to gain from taking unnecessarily gutsy moves, and there is a lot to lose from this recklessness. 
7. They always show up to practice on time. A good forward is not always the player with the most inborn skill, but they are usually the one who is consistent and dogged in their practices. An effective offensive player has the confidence and capability that only practice and drilling can produce.

As you can see, the qualities of a successful forward are all skills that can be taught by good coaches and learned by dedicated players. Although coaches think they want the team with skill and experience, the team that will always win is the one with a great attitude and a mindset that leads them to success. You too can be a highly effective offensive player if you are willing to take your game to the next level.