1. Learn the Basics
Dribbling in soccer is the technique of running with the ball. Instead of shooting the ball or passing it to one of your teammates, when you dribble you keep it as close to your feet as you can. In its simplest form, soccer players use dribbling to run straight down the field while controlling the ball. If you're new to the sport, this is one of the most important skills for you to learn. If you're more experienced, you can move past this basic technique and learn to dribble at full speed. This is especially important for wingers, defensive backs and other players who lead counterattacks on the other team's defense.
2. Change Direction but Keep Possession
The second most important dribbling skill for soccer players to learn is turning with the ball. When you've got the ball and a defender rushes toward you to stop you from moving forward, you'll have to change directions without losing possession. There are a variety of turns you can use to round defenders, but the simplest is to sweep the ball to the left or right with the inside of your foot and then resume dribbling straight ahead. Other famous turns are the Cruyff and Maradona turns, but these are more like tricks you can use to fool defenders, and they require advanced skill to perform.
3. Find Your Own Style
Emulating the great dribblers like Zidane, Messi and Ronaldinho is a great way to learn new tricks and become more comfortable with the ball. Eventually, however, you'll need to develop your own style of dribbling that makes you feel comfortable and in control of the ball. Don't be afraid to use simpler moves like cuts, drags and rolls instead of flashy tricks like Scotch moves, step-overs and elasticos. Even though you won't draw as much attention to yourself on the pitch, you'll become a better overall player and have more fun playing the game.
4. Know When to Fake
Fakes and feints are the bread and butter of dribbling highlight reels, but they're not always as useful as they seem. The key to becoming a skilled dribbler is knowing when to use each of your moves during the game. For example, step-overs are great for confusing defenders during a head-on attack--your marker won't know which way you're going with the ball, and you'll buy extra time to dribble around him or pass to one of your teammates. In general, wait for your opponent to set his feet or lunge for the ball before making your final move.
5. Avoid Separation Anxiety
The cardinal sin of dribbling in soccer is losing possession of the ball. In fact, once you've lost possession, you've given up any advantage you created while you were dribbling, putting your teammates on the defensive and forcing them to clean up the play. The best way to avoid making this and other mistakes while dribbling is to keep the ball as close to your feet as you can.
Dribbling in soccer is the technique of running with the ball. Instead of shooting the ball or passing it to one of your teammates, when you dribble you keep it as close to your feet as you can. In its simplest form, soccer players use dribbling to run straight down the field while controlling the ball. If you're new to the sport, this is one of the most important skills for you to learn. If you're more experienced, you can move past this basic technique and learn to dribble at full speed. This is especially important for wingers, defensive backs and other players who lead counterattacks on the other team's defense.
2. Change Direction but Keep Possession
The second most important dribbling skill for soccer players to learn is turning with the ball. When you've got the ball and a defender rushes toward you to stop you from moving forward, you'll have to change directions without losing possession. There are a variety of turns you can use to round defenders, but the simplest is to sweep the ball to the left or right with the inside of your foot and then resume dribbling straight ahead. Other famous turns are the Cruyff and Maradona turns, but these are more like tricks you can use to fool defenders, and they require advanced skill to perform.
3. Find Your Own Style
Emulating the great dribblers like Zidane, Messi and Ronaldinho is a great way to learn new tricks and become more comfortable with the ball. Eventually, however, you'll need to develop your own style of dribbling that makes you feel comfortable and in control of the ball. Don't be afraid to use simpler moves like cuts, drags and rolls instead of flashy tricks like Scotch moves, step-overs and elasticos. Even though you won't draw as much attention to yourself on the pitch, you'll become a better overall player and have more fun playing the game.
4. Know When to Fake
Fakes and feints are the bread and butter of dribbling highlight reels, but they're not always as useful as they seem. The key to becoming a skilled dribbler is knowing when to use each of your moves during the game. For example, step-overs are great for confusing defenders during a head-on attack--your marker won't know which way you're going with the ball, and you'll buy extra time to dribble around him or pass to one of your teammates. In general, wait for your opponent to set his feet or lunge for the ball before making your final move.
5. Avoid Separation Anxiety
The cardinal sin of dribbling in soccer is losing possession of the ball. In fact, once you've lost possession, you've given up any advantage you created while you were dribbling, putting your teammates on the defensive and forcing them to clean up the play. The best way to avoid making this and other mistakes while dribbling is to keep the ball as close to your feet as you can.
