To score a goal, the ball has to get past a lot of opposing players. Dribbling is one of many ways that helps in moving forward toward the target. It is, therefore, a fundamental skill that needs to be mastered by the whole team that wants to play soccer. To take on defenders one-on-one, dribbling is definitely a key attribute. Training your players to dribble better will not only lead to individual stars but will help the team build a better ball control.
Here are some soccer drills to hone the ball control of your players and their dribbling ability:
Cutting
Take a soccer ball onto a level field (surface). Create a 4- or 5-yard-long line for your drill, then dribble the ball from side to side using a variety of moves, stopping quickly at the edge of your practice area, then moving in the opposite direction. If you wish to strengthen dribbling with the insides of your foot, for example, dribble sideways along the line, moving the ball with the insides of your foot in both directions. Go up and down 10 times. While doing the drill, keep your head up – facing forward – rather than looking down at the ball.
Change of Direction
Set up cones, or similar markers, in a line about 2 or 3 feet apart. Now set up a parallel line of markers, one foot apart from the first line, and stagger the other line so each cone is midway between the nearest two other cones in the first line. Start at one end and lead the ball between the cones, moving between the first cone on each side. Then dribble diagonally between the first cone on one side and the second cone on the other. Commence weaving through the cones until you reach the finish line, then turn and dribble back through obstacles in the counter direction. Beginners should dribble through the markers using only one foot, but can also involve the other if feeling competent. Some may wish to use one foot to move forward in one direction and the other one to come back. There is also the possibility to use both feet in both directions. Make players return to the beginning if they hit a cone to make the practice more competitive. Also, you can analyze which player on each team can complete perfect repetitions, then award that team with a point.
Breakout
Enter a confined area (such as the center circle of a soccer field). Set one marker for each player onto the circle, spaced evenly. Now, give each player a ball and make them dribble within the circle at random while avoiding other players. Encourage the practicing of a variety of moves. After a minute of dribbling, yell “breakout!” Each player has then to dribble around a marker and return to the middle of the circle.
Alternating Technique
Create a dribbling zone with enough space for multiple players. Now, give each player a ball and make them dribble within the zone. Not only must they avoid other players and stay within the boundaries, but each player has to do something different each time the ball has been touched. The player can change the direction, for instance. Players can also substitute feet, or dribble the ball with the inside of one foot followed by the outside of another foot.
