Start to condition. Although dribbling and kicking are important soccer skills, you will also have to be in good shape to be an effective team player. Before practice starts, it is a good idea to try to improve your physical fitness. Running is a good way to train to be a great soccer player. You can work on longer endurance runs (like a mile or two) or concentrate on sprints. Both are useful skills to have during games when you’re trying to beat an opponent to the ball.