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Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills With These Easy Steps

Dribbling is an important skill in soccer. It helps you keep control of the ball, beat players, and create space for yourself or your teammates. Dribbling is not a new skill in soccer, but it has evolved over time as new equipment and rules have been introduced.

Author:David Mitchell
Reviewer:Henrik Schmidt
Jun 04, 2023508 Shares169.4K Views
Dribbling is an important skill in soccer. It helps you keep control of the ball, beat players, and create space for yourself or your teammates. Dribbling is not a new skill in soccer, but it has evolved over time as new equipment and rules have been introduced. To keep control of the ball, beat an opponent, or create space for themselves, players must be able to master this skill. Yes, not just learn, master it!
In this article, I'll show you how to improve your soccer dribbling skillswith easy steps. But first, what exactly does dribbling mean, and what is the point of this?

What Is Soccer Dribbling?

Three players in red soccer uniform practice their dribbling skills with yellow cones
Three players in red soccer uniform practice their dribbling skills with yellow cones
Dribbling is a type of soccer skill in which the player controls the ball by bouncing it off the ground and moving it around an opponent. The ability to dribble with both feet, as well as change direction, speed, or pace, allows players to easily get past opponents or beat them in a one-on-one situation.
Dribbling is the trickery of a ball by one player while moving in a specific direction, avoiding defenders' attempts to intercept the ball in sports. A successful dribble will legally get the ball past defenders and create a chance to score.
Dribbling makes it easier to accomplish the game's goal of scoring a goal. Because, in the end, the only thing standing in your way of scoring goals is the opponent. The game becomes that much easier if you can negate the opponent with fancy dribbling footwork.

Types Of Dribbling

The cut- When coming face to face with an opposing player, most soccer playersuse the cut to move the soccer ball to the side, allowing them to get away and either continue dribbling, pass to a teammate, or shoot on goal.
Fake Kick- The Fake Kick skill is one of the most popular soccer skills. This skill is demonstrated by a soccer player dribbling the ball close to the goal and acting as if they are about to take a shot, causing the defender or goalkeeper to attempt to block it.
Scissors- When used on the goalie, this skill can tempt them to try blocking the ball in the area they thought it was being kicked, leaving other areas of the goal wide open.
Lunge- When a soccer player is facing a defender, they will frequently use their body to fool the defender. The player with the ball wants the defender to believe they are going in one direction when they are actually going in the opposite direction.

How To Improve Your Soccer Dribbles - Drills

Closed-Space Dribbling Drill

  • Place three cones in a triangle or line ground, two feet apart.
  • Dribble the ball between the cones, making use of all of your foot surfaces.
  • Quick touches are used to guide the ball around the cones in a controlled pattern.

Cone Drill

  • Set up six to ten cones 5 yards apart.
  • Dribble the ball with the inside of your feer as you weave through the cones.
  • Repeat the drill, circling right and then left around each cone, alternating between the inside and outside of your feet.

Wall Drill (Or With Partner)

  • Toss a ball into the air or bounce it off a wall with a partner.
  • Pass your foot back and forth 10-20 times with the inside of your foot.
  • Repeat with the opposite foot.
  • Pass the laces back and forth 10-20 times.
  • Repeat with the opposite foot.

Confined Dribbling Drill

  • Set up four cones 5 yards apart in a box.
  • Place yourself in the box with a ball and a partner.
  • Dribble for the amount of time specified while your partner tries to steal the ball.
  • Switch roles if your partner steals the ball.

Doggies/25’s Dribbling Drill

  • Set up five cones 5 yards apart in a straight line 20 yards long.
  • Sprint with the ball from cone 1 to cone 2.
  • Turn and sprint back to cone 1, then to cone 3, then back to cone 1, and so on.
  • When you've completed all four cones and are back at cone 1, take a 55-second break before beginning the next set.
  • Repeat until you have completed 10 sets (five each with your right and left foot).
  • Most players should be able to complete a set without the ball in 35 seconds. With the ball, it will most likely take you a little longer.

Dribbling Tips

The Art of Dribbling

When dribbling down the field, soccer playersshould continue to tap the ball with each step. Inexperienced players frequently dribble the soccer ball too far ahead of their bodies, increasing their chances of losing control of the ball.
Soccer playersshould be able to dribble with their entire foot. Some dribbling techniques make use of specific areas of the foot, such as the inside or outside. Soccer playersshould keep their heads up while dribbling the ball in order to scan for opposing players or potential teammates to pass to. This means that a player must be extremely comfortable dribbling the ball in order to be successful while in control of it. Soccer playersmust constantly look down.

How Many Hours A Day Should You Practice?

Some argue that practicing for hours on end is the most effective way to improve your skills. Others believe that 2-3 hours per day is sufficient. So, how many hours should you practice per day?
The answer is determined by what you want to improve. If you want to become an expert at something, especially soccer, you should practice for at least three hours per day. If all you want to do is improve your skills, one hour per day is sufficient.

Conclusion - Helpful Tips To Improve Your Soccer Skills

Soccer is one of the world's most popular sports. It is played in over 200 countries and is an Olympic sport. Soccer playersare frequently regarded as some of the world's fittest athletes. This article concludes that soccer can be a physically demanding sport, but it also requires a great deal of mental toughness and dedication. There are numerous ways to improve your soccer skills, especially dribbling. But they all take time and practice to master.
In order to improve your soccer dribbling skills, you have to follow these steps and make sure that you are doing it on a daily basis.
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David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Author
David Mitchell, a UCLA Sports Journalism graduate, crafts compelling narratives that vividly portray the world of athletics. With a knack for capturing the essence of sporting events and athletes, his writing exudes passion and insight. David's articles, known for their vivid imagery and fresh perspective, resonate with sports enthusiasts worldwide. When not writing, he can be found cheering for his favorite teams or staying active in the gym, believing in the unifying power of sports to inspire and transcend boundaries.
Henrik Schmidt

Henrik Schmidt

Reviewer
Henrik Schmidt, a European sports journalist from the University of Manchester, specializes in soccer, golf, tennis, and the Olympics. With keen analysis and engaging storytelling, his articles offer unique insights into these sports. Beyond writing, Henrik immerses himself in Europe's vibrant sports culture, finding inspiration in the athleticism and competitive spirit that define the games he covers.
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