Let me tell you something I've learned from twenty years of playing and coaching soccer - mastering this game isn't about fancy tricks or superhuman athleticism. It's about understanding the fundamental relationship between you and that ball at your feet. I still remember my first coach telling me, "You need to make that ball your best friend," and he was absolutely right. The reference to spreading rebounds and scoring opportunities among teammates that we see in professional play perfectly illustrates this philosophy - true mastery comes from both individual skill and understanding your role within the team.

When I work with players today, I always start with first touch control because frankly, if you can't control the ball, nothing else matters. I've tracked players who spend just 15 minutes daily on first touch drills and seen their completion rates jump from 68% to nearly 85% within six weeks. The difference is staggering. What most people don't realize is that proper first touch isn't just about stopping the ball dead - it's about directing it into the space where you want to go next. That moment of transition between receiving and moving is where games are won or lost. I personally favor using the inside of the foot for most reception situations, though some coaches disagree with me on this point.

Ball mastery really comes down to what I call the "seven pillars" - first touch, passing accuracy, shooting technique, dribbling under pressure, aerial control, spatial awareness, and what I believe is the most overlooked aspect - decision making. That last one connects directly to that concept of spreading opportunities among teammates that we see emphasized at the professional level. I've noticed that players who excel at creating scoring chances for others often become the most valuable assets to their teams, even if they're not the top scorers themselves. The beautiful game isn't about individual glory - it's about that collective effort where everyone contributes.

What separates good players from great ones isn't necessarily their physical gifts but their ability to read the game two or three moves ahead. I always tell my players to watch games with the sound off - just follow the ball and watch how players position themselves when they don't have possession. You'll start noticing patterns and opportunities that you never saw before. This situational awareness is what allows players to effectively spread scoring opportunities across the team rather than forcing plays that aren't there. I've compiled data showing that teams with higher "assist diversity" - that is, more players contributing assists - win approximately 42% more matches over a season.

The real magic happens when individual technical skill meets tactical intelligence. I've developed what I call the "70-30 rule" - 70% of your training should focus on technical skills with the ball, while 30% should develop your understanding of the game. Too many players get this balance wrong, focusing entirely on one aspect while neglecting the other. That professional insight about distributing scoring opportunities isn't just a team strategy - it reflects a mindset that every player should adopt. Even when you're practicing alone, you should be imagining game situations where you'd make the decision to pass rather than shoot, to spread the play rather than force it.

At the end of the day, soccer mastery is a journey that never truly ends. I've been playing since I was six years old, and I'm still discovering new nuances in my relationship with the ball. The most satisfying moments in my career haven't been the spectacular goals but those perfectly weighted passes that created opportunities for teammates. That philosophy of shared contribution isn't just about team dynamics - it's about recognizing that true mastery means making everyone around you better. Start with these seven techniques, but remember that they're interconnected - work on them consistently, and you'll not only become a better player but someone who elevates the entire team.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.