Soccer⚽ is a sport that demands a combination of skills, athleticism, and strategic thinking. One of the most captivating skills that can set a player apart is the ability to dribble effectively. Dribbling is not just about flashy moves but also about maintaining control, speed, and creativity on the field.
This week, Blayze soccer coach Zoe Morse will take you through what you need to become better at dribbling.
Develop Your Touch
The foundation of successful dribbling lies in having close ball ⚽control. Work on developing a soft and delicate touch that allows you to manipulate the ball effortlessly. Practice juggling the ball with different parts of your feet to improve your overall touch and feel for the ball.
Try to get comfortable manipulating the ball with different surfaces of your feet👣 at different speeds and in different directions. Once you feel more comfortable with the ball, make sure you are also focusing on getting your head and eyes up to scan the field.
Dribbling while seeing the field will allow you to make better split-second decisions during games. Make sure you are picking the correct times to dribble versus passing to a teammate or shooting the ball.🥅
Enhance Your Speed and Agility
A quick and agile🏃🏼♀️ player can navigate through defenders with ease. Incorporate speed and agility drills into your training routine. Cone drills, ladder exercises, and shuttle runs can help improve your footwork and acceleration.
Many soccer players want to become faster when they dribble the ball.⚽ Players need to be able to dribble at all different speeds and in all different directions. Think of it as a 360-degree ability.
Keep your training simple when focusing on improving your dribbling. Start on an open field and get comfortable moving in every direction while keeping the ball close to your body.
Develop Both Feet Equally
Being a versatile dribbler requires proficiency with both feet. 👣Train consistently with your weaker foot to ensure you can maneuver the ball effectively in any situation. This will make you less predictable and more challenging for opponents to defend against.
Improve Decision-Making Skills
Dribbling is not just about beating opponents with skill; it's also about making the right decisions.🧠 Develop your soccer IQ by practicing situational awareness. Understand when to take on defenders, when to pass, and when to protect the ball. This will make you a smarter and more effective dribbler.
Consistent Practice
Improvement comes with consistent and focused practice. Dedicate time to dribbling drills during your training sessions. Repetition will help build muscle💪 memory, enhancing your ability to execute moves effortlessly during a game.
If you have cones or markers available, you can place those on the ground and work on avoiding them by switching the direction of your dribble. Try stopping the ball first, then try to move past the cone(s) or markers without stopping.🛑
If you have a friend to train with, make them try to win the ball off you defensively while you dribble. Work on keeping the ball close to your body but also away from the defenders’ feet. Or you can try taking turns dribbling and passing to each other or dribbling and shooting on goal.
Dribbling should always be fun!😎
Article of the Week: 3 Drills to Improve Your 1v1 Dribbling Skills
To become an effective and dangerous dribbler, a player must first understand when they should dribble. The simplest understanding of this is knowing where there is time and space on the field.
