The Techne Blog

You may have been told by a soccer coach that you need to “work on your first touch,” or maybe that you “have a good first touch.” But what exactly does this mean? And how can you improve your first touch, or keep it sharp? Your first touch is your ability to bring the ball under control, no matter how it comes to you.

We offer a lot of content, which is amazing for players who are very familiar with how to manage an individual training plan. But for those players who are new to training on their own or not quite as sure what to work on, it’s helpful to pick a specific focus and to spend a full month working to improve just one area.

Dribbling is one of the first and most important skills to master in soccer. It’s crucial to be able to move with the ball and change direction at any time. There are a number of different qualities that can make a soccer player a great dribbler. Recognizing when and where to dribble is key. Improve your game by mastering these dribbling skills.

There are 7 different types of quickness you want as a soccer player, and many ways to become faster in each. Being a fast soccer player doesn't just mean running fast. It means being one step ahead of your opponent in a variety of ways. Fast players think fast, act fast, and move fast with and without the ball.

Whether you play(ed) soccer yourself, are completely new to it, or fall somewhere in between, there are many ways you can help your player have a great experience through the sport. Here’s a basic guide to help get you going along the path of support.

As a soccer player, if your training and performance matters to you, so should your recovery. That means and maintaining a balance between physical effort and recovery--for both training and competition. Recovery can be active or passive and it should be regularly planned.

If you’re an elite soccer player, you might be wondering: What are the best soccer recovery methods? How much recovery is enough? When do I need to recover? Playing and training a lot is great, but recovery is when you allow the work you’ve done to “sink in” and for your body to absorb it in order to get to the next level. A good recovery strategy is crucial for improvement and performance. Here are 3 tips for your soccer recovery:

How much does it cost to hire a private soccer trainer? What are some alternatives to hiring a private soccer coach? We explore the pros and cons of various at-home training solutions and offer recommendations on some FREE soccer training resources for you or your player.

Whether you already watch a lot of soccer or are planning to start watching more, here are the benefits that come along with cheering on your favorite teams and players.

The three pro players on our Techne Team often get asked, “How much did you train on your own growing up?” The answer for the three of us is “a lot.” But that can mean something different for everyone. Here are some guiding thought processes to help you know how much extra training you want to consider doing, depending on your age, level, and goals as a player.

A player’s relationship with the game is what will keep them playing for many years, continue on through obstacles and disappointments, and/or continue on to coach, support teams, or work in the soccer world in other capacities. This can only be achieved through that individual relationship and love that comes from their personal investment.

Winter can be a challenge to figuring out how to get into the game. That’s why we have come up with simple and creative ways to meet that challenge. See below for some Techne Tips, and remember that above all, keep it fun!

Have you considered the larger impact that soccer has on your life, or the life of your players? With everything you are able to develop in the game, it’s also good to examine the wonderful “life lessons” it provides.

At Techne, a major theme is to take ownership over your own development. We call it being intentional, or deliberate. Taking ownership over your nutrition is a crucial part of that. The purpose of this blog is not to dispense comprehensive nutritional advice, but to encourage intentional (deliberate) nutrition and share sample daily eating habits of two Professional Players.

A Q&A about having and building confidence with Techne Futbol Success Manager and current Pro Player, Hunter Gorskie.

There are many resources to guide one in the college soccer search, many aspects of the process to understand, and key steps to take. Coaches, the Internet and word of mouth are all helpful in the player’s college process. Below, however, are the key things that players, their coaches and families might not know.

To realize their soccer potential, players need to combine a variety of training scenarios. While group training is at the core of being part of a team, it isn’t everything. A player must have an arsenal of individual skills and abilities available to contribute to the team. So, individual training is vital to player development. However, as a coach (or parent), it isn’t enough just to tell your players to improve by saying, “Make sure to train on your own.

Check out any soccer “how to” article and you’ll see a list of the best ways to evaluate and choose a club team. Many, if not most of the tips, are helpful and include sound advice, depending on your goals. While it is certainly important to pick the best soccer team, that should also mean it is right for you in other than the most obvious reasons. To that end, assessing your goals and what you want to get out of your experience is the first step. You may check all the obvious boxes (e.g. top competition; successful coach; playing time), but there’s more to that check list than you may have considered.