Dribbling

New soccer coaches usually make a critical mistake with dribbling. They assume it’s just one skill, when it actually comes in three varieties: Dribbling past defenders, Dribbling for possession
and Dribbling through open space.

Skill with one variety doesn't guarantee skill with the others, so they each must be practiced regularly. Cover one or two varieties in your practice, and get to the other next time.

To what degree is expert instruction required? If you can teach specific moves, that's certainly a plus. But even if you can't, have your players compete at the activities. Eventually, they'll begin copying the moves of their peers, inventing their own moves, and combining the three varieties in new and creative ways.

For some great practice activities, click on the dribbling variety that interests you.

Dribbling Warmup

If you have time, start the dribbling with a three-minute warmup. Each player has a ball inside the circle, oval, or square. All the players dribble at the same time, using different foot surfaces, changing directions, and glancing about. For the first minute, either foot may be used. For the second, only the weaker foot may be used. And during the last minute, both feet should be used at a faster pace.

Warmup dribbling becomes a great fitness activity when more minutes are added. Why have players just jog when they could be jogging with soccer balls through an enclosed space?