The Techne Blog

Soccer demands a unique blend of skill, speed, agility, and endurance. With these physical demands -- as well as the coordination and strength necessary to perform technical actions, all while incurring physical contact from opponents -- comes the risk of injury.Injuries can sideline players, disrupt careers, and have long-term consequences. That's why injury prevention is paramount at every level of the sport.

A solid first touch can be the difference between winning the game for your team or a turnover that allows the opponent an opportunity. In soccer, controlling the ball upon receiving it – your "first touch" – is a fundamental skill that separates good players from great ones. But how do you truly master it? Let’s break down the essential techniques and show you how the Techne training app can accelerate your progress.

Whether you want to take an amazing shot on goal, deliver a perfect cross into the box, or execute a set piece that sets up a teammate for success, you need to hone your striking power. Before power comes technique. Refining, mastering, and perfecting your connection with the ball and shooting form is the first step toward a powerful and dangerous strike. Let's talk about how you can master the technique and build power!

At Techne, we’re here to help you improve every part of your game. Self-training is key, but adding futsal and small-sided games to your routine can take things to the next level. On a smaller, faster court, you’ll get way more touches and chances to make quick decisions. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills, boost confidence, and play with more creativity!

Are you ready to train to improve your field vision? Take on an exercise that you can do at the wall with a training partner, parent or friend.

Discover the secrets to faster, stronger low dives with pro GK Nicole Barnhart of the Washington Spirit! Learn tips for mastering reaction speed, refining set shape, dropping the hip for maximum range, and loading the leg for powerful dives. This guide provides drills, expert tips, and a mini session to help perfect low-diving techniques for crucial saves.

Passing and receiving are fundamental skills in soccer, enabling effective ball movement and teamwork on the field. Understanding when and where to pass, and how to receive the ball under various conditions, is crucial. The more you watch and play soccer, the better you’ll become at recognizing these key moments.

After a soccer game or training session, it's time to help your body and mind recover! You've put in a lot of work. You can create a great cooldown with both dynamic and static movements to recover your body and mind. Before you hit that ice cream shop, take some time to properly cool down and provide the nourishment your body needs.

If you're looking to keep your skills sharp this summer and stay connected to what's going on in the soccer community, join us for Techne Soccer Camp! It's in your own space, at your own pace, so really, it's "Camp" Techne.

How do you warm up for a training session or game? If you're warming up on your own for an individual training session, you have the freedom to choose how you warm up. We asked three pro players what their warmups look like and saw some similarities in each that you can add to your routine!

Explore essential questions parents have about sport psychology and mental strength for youth athletes. Find insights on performance enhancement, stress management, resilience building, and more to support your player's mental well-being and success on the field.

"Soccer shape" encompasses a combination of skills that sets soccer players apart from athletes in many other sports. At Techne, we design our training programs to contribute to the mastery of total soccer fitness. Soccer demands a unique level of fitness, combining endurance and stamina, but also strength and explosiveness.You can find all of these areas covered in the Techne App.

It can be so hard to measure your progress. Here are 5 Skill Tests you can use to check in with your development. Bonus: While you are practicing them, you'll be improving!

As the final whistle blows and the echoes of cheers fill the air, the end of a soccer season is a valuable opportunity for self-reflection. Assessing your performance at the end of a season is crucial for your growth and development as a soccer player. Let's talk about some of the key areas to evaluate, and how this process can be a stepping stone for continuous improvement.

As a coach, how you speak to your players after a game is so important. You're in an influential position to help motivate them and foster their development. Some great techniques to keep in mind are speaking to effort, keeping it succinct, using compliments, engaging the players, and being in touch with the vibe.

Why train your breath as a soccer player? Reduce stress, improve your focus, regulate your emotions, and enhance your athletic performance. Just like other skills in soccer, breathing techniques require practice and repetition to be available for you to take advantage of on the field.

Having a conversation with your player after a game, good or bad, can be challenging! Every player has a different personality, so of course there isn't a "one size fits all" approach, but we can help share some scenarios you might encounter and how to handle them. After a game you may have a chat about their performance, discuss a big win or a loss, or talk about how much time they had on the field. Regardless, you're here to support them and let them lead the way.

Improve your touch, balance and coordination as a soccer player with 5 essential soccer drills that players all around the world have shown us are the most popular in the Techne App. Juggling, classic dribbling, wall passing, and bringing the ball cleanly to the ground are critical skills to practice and these drills cover them in ways that you can practice and repeat until you've mastered the skill and it's second nature on the field.