Ever wonder how players like Messi and Ronaldo got so good? Or how the best player on your college or club team got to where he or she is? Well, hopefully I can shed some light on how they reached that elite level of play so quickly. These five steps are simple and easy ways to better your chances at becoming a better player and joining that elite level sooner rather than later.

Step #1: Join an Elite Club

The first thing you want to do in your journey to become an elite player is to join the best club possible. Whether or not you are on the A or B team does not matter, what matter is that you are getting trained by a top level coach. For the most part you will find these elite coaches at the elite clubs in your area and usually at the premier level opposed to a select or recreational level.

Another reason that joining an elite club is a must when trying to become an elite player is that you will be playing against the best competition possible. By doing this, you have to step up your game and bring your best every time you play otherwise you will be replaced by other players who are looking to take your spot. It also gives you the opportunity to get better and show yourself for colleges or professional coaches who come and watch games as you get older.

If you are serious about becoming an elite player then it is on you to find a club big enough and with an elite reputation so that you get the most out of its coaches and top opposition.

Step #2: Surround Yourself with the Best Players Around you

Whether you are just hanging out at practice or going to each other’s houses during your free time, it is essential that you always put yourself in positions to get better and succeed. Whenever you are training and you split into groups, make sure to join the group that has the better players. This will force you to elevate your game and you will begin to get into the mind set of believing that you belong with the best.

Step #3: Train Everyday

Just because you train 3-4 times a week with a game every weekend for your club does not mean that that is enough. If you truly want to be elite you will be willing to put the work in every day. No matter what, get touches on a ball everyday whether its at a park our in your back yard by yourself this is key. It is also important to be in the gym at least three days a week. This will help a lot with strength and injury prevention on the field, I know that This made a huge difference for me because even though I did not add a ton of weight, I got stronger and never missed a game.

Step #4: Have a Strong Connection with your Coach

This is one of the most important steps you can take in your career. Establishing a relationship with your head coach will help you take that next step to becoming elite. It is crucial that you are able to approach him at practice and ask him for his opinion on your play or how you can get better. He might say some things that hurt your feelings but take it as constructive criticism instead of an insult and focus on bettering the things he tells you in practice and even in games. This will better you as a player and will allow you to grow in your coaches eyes too and shows him that you care about getting better and working hard.

Step #5: Don’t Try to do to Much

The worst thing you can do is do too much in games and in practice. This will do a number of things that will not help you in your quest to be elite. If you try and do too much in games, it will lead to you gaining a bad reputation and less ball and field time. It will also frustrate other players which means that the only way to please them is to do your job and play simple then pick and choose your moments to dribble and do more. It is also not your job to always be the hero. Just because you are in the mind set of being an elite player, does not mean you are one yet and need to still play within your abilities and share the spotlight.

These steps are the five main things that helped me get to where I am today as a soccer player and I continue to do them everyday with my coach. However, these should not be the only things you do. You have to work hard everyday and can’t just expect that if you do this you will immediately see results. It takes time and even with these steps you may not be considered elite for years. It is all up to you and how much dedication you put into your training and life when it comes to soccer.