Andre Botelho’s Soccer Coaching Blog

HellOooo!! Today, I will write about how you can improve the dribbling skills of your players…

Since I was a little kid, I always loved dribbling my opponents and leave them behind. Me and the soccer ball, we were inlove

Sometimes my mom had to hide the ball from me in a very secret far far away place (I never found out about), so I could study a little or eat my meals in peace and not runaway before eating desert to go play with my friends outside.

Practice is key for everything you want to achieve in life… you must tell your players that if they want to improve their skills, they must practice… a LOT!

“Practice makes the master”… and here’s a good example of a kid with great skills (I think he’s inlove with that “thing” that we all call ball. I can see that by the way he “treats” it…)

Now, let’s dive into soccer dribbling…

What can be more thrilling in soccer than watching a great dribbler play? Also, there can be nothing more basic in soccer than the ability of a player to dribble a ball efficiently and innovatively. A good player is one who can use all parts of his body to move the ball about, in front of, and behind his or her body.

Players need to build up a variety of techniques such as stops, turns, and fakes for the purpose of taking on and beating the opponents. For this reason, the players need to develop such skills, and work on their confidence levels. In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss a few drills that teach all aspects of ball handling technique. I can guarantee that you’ll find these drills not only enjoyable but extremely effective in building dribbling skills.

Dribbling a soccer ball is a very personal talent and the kids have a tendency to develop their individual styles. This is a good sign and should therefore be encouraged.

Make your kids watch few of the great ball dribblers in action. It could be Pele of Brazil, Diego Maradona of Argentina , or Johan Cruyff of Holland . When you watch them, you’ll notice two main qualities; a close ball call and outstanding balance. These qualities can be learnt by way of;

•  Positioning the body over the ball, and

•  Using all parts of either foot at great speed.

DRILL NO 1: The first drill is called the Dribbling Drill; it involves the entire team, at least one ball for every two players, and is played in a 15 yard circle.

Pair up all the players by numbering them as 1 and 2. All players designated as number 1 take a ball each and dribble around within the circle. The number 2s just sit around outside the circle. The players with the ball should try to keep the ball close to them and avoid running into other players. After a minute or two, repeat the same with players designated as number 2. However, the following points must be followed strictly while performing this drill:

•  The players must use only one side, either outside or inside sole of the foot,

•  They should use only one foot, either left or right,

•  They can use any part of either foot,

•  They should stop immediately when signaled to,

•  They should take a quick turn when instructed,

•  Immediately move away from others and quickly dart into spaces, and

•  They should go very slow, then slow, and then very fast.

Important Note: You must demonstrate the techniques yourself at least a few times before getting your kids to do it. Also, keep reminding them to keep their body over the ball, use the change of pace, use the change of direction, and look beyond the ball.

The same set-up and organization can be used to instill a sense of competition among the players. It begins with the kids designated as number 1. They dribble the ball freely inside the circle. Then the coach will give a command to “tackle”. The players would then try to kick other players’ soccer balls out of circle. When a player’s ball has been kicked out, that player would sit on the edge of the circle. Continue with the game until only 1 player is remaining. Repeat the same with players designated as number 2.

DRILL NO 2: This is the second drill which involves 16 players, 12 balls, 6 cones placed in 4 lines. Cones and markers can also be used to practice ball handling techniques by dribbling the ball around them. Here, the players are divided into 4 groups of 4 players each. The players stand against the set of 6 cones. The first 3 players in line have a ball each at their feet. However, make it clear to the kids before the drill starts that this activity is a skill learning activity and not a race.

The players would start by dribbling in and out of the cones on the way out and return straight back around the outside. This player then gives the ball to the next player in line and joins back the group. The second player will begin when the first player reaches the fourth cone. The kids must follow the requirements as given below:

•  The players must use only one side, either outside or inside sole of the foot,

•  They should use only one foot, either left or right, and

•  Change the alignment or spacing of the cones.

Beating defenders with a dribble: Always make it a point to encourage your players to try new skills and dribbling tricks. This can be done by teaching them some techniques, letting them create their individual skills, or they can also learn form watching more advanced players.

There are a lot of ways that can be applied to beat the opponents with a dribble like body swerves and fakes. But until these body swerves and fakes become instinctive, they won’t happen on the day of the game. Make it possible by showing players some simple moves and create situations where they can practice these skills.

The players can be taught to use the outside of their foot to beat the advancing defender. It is one of the most effective techniques in beating the defenders with a dribble. The dribbler throws his/her weight onto the left leg and then drives off onto the other leg, dragging the ball away with the outside of the right foot.

Another successful technique is to fake a kick and then drag the ball back with the inside of the foot. It works well when in situations when an opponent rushes in recklessly to make a tackle. The dribbler may be able to push the ball around or through the legs of the defender.

Receiving and Turning on the ball: The skill to receive an oncoming ball, controlling it on the turn, and either passing it or dribbling through the field is a talent that is frequently required in soccer, especially by the attacking and the midfield players. There are many techniques that can be used to achieve this, but the most simple is the “pivot turn”. It is important for the players to learn this because the team is always in a better position to score more when facing the opposition rather than with their backs towards them.

However, on defense, you should make sure that the opponent cannot turn with the ball and run at you. So, make your players practice these drills as these drills give them a chance to use balance and touch to take on and best the opponent players.

Note: Hey, I know I’m not Picasso, but you got the point…

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Yours in soccer,

Andre Botelho

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