How To Dive In Soccer

When considering how to dive in soccer, it is important to understand that diving can be a useful part of any match. Though fans the world over commonly moan about how diving ruins the game, it is a critical tool. Whether seeking to draw the referee’s attention to a particularly aggressive opponent, stopping the flow of the game against quicker opposition, or to disrupt play after your team has taken the lead, learning how to dive in soccer can serve a team well.

1. Don’t act badly. Unless you spent years at Julliard, your acting skills are critically laughable. Instead, pay attention--whether on or off the field--at how people react during an injury to better understand how to dive in soccer. Don’t act like players in the Serie A who commonly roll around as if possessed. A person who is seriously injured doesn’t move much because they are focusing their attention on managing their pain. A good rule of thumb is to decide what you will do before the game if struck in the leg, face, back and so forth.
2. Pay attention to where the referees are at all times. Including the sideline refs. When learning how to dive in soccer, you must remember that if you fake your injury right in front of the ref, you’re going to receive a yellow card. Red if in the box.
3. There does not need to be full contact for you to dive. Learning how to dive in soccer means using any measure of obstruction from an opponent to your advantage.
4. Reach for where contact was made. Learning how to dive in soccer means not reaching for your face when it was your leg that was struck. Anyone who has watched the game for awhile has seen this before. Instead, while flying through the air on your way to the ground, ask yourself what part of your body you're going to grab to feint injury.
5. Start the dive from the point of contact. Remember that the actual dive is nothing more than a fall to the ground. Where you're struck determines how you fall. If struck in the face, reach both hands to the area of impact, drop to your knees and fall to your side. When an opponent tugs your jersey while in pursuit, suddenly stop mid-run and fall landing on your back as if someone was yanking you backwards vigorously. If you are pushed, embellish the shove by jumping with a little more zeal in the direction you have been pushed. Whip your neck back towards the opponent as you do so. If you're side-by-side with an opponent and jostling for the ball, fall so your head is away from the opponent and use your arms or legs to take them down with you in case the foul is not called--especially near your own box. If struck from the front below the knees, leap/fall over the tackler and immediately reach for the area struck. Yelling in pain is also appropriate as you are hit.
6. Don't stare at the referee. Nothing says your a complete faker more than the player who stares at the referee immediately after a fall or, even worse, while still in the air. Do keep an eye on the game if possible. If a dangerous play is about to be made by the other team and you are nearby to stop it, you may need to suddenly heal.