When you look at the best soccer players in the world, you might notice that many of them are excellent dribblers. It’s no sweat for them to control the ball, even when going full-speed with defenders at their heels. Skill in dribbling can also give a player the ability to turn out more creative plays due to the extra time and space they command.
Of course, as with anything else, practice is needed to excel. The more often you practice, the better your technique will be. With that in mind, here are some drills to make you the best dribbler on your team.
Simple Cone Drill
For this drill you are going to need six to 10 soccer practice cones. Line them up about five yards apart. The idea here is to improve your ability to trap the ball on the outside or inside of your foot and keep it far from defenders. The drill involves weaving through the cones you set up, dribbling with the outside of your feet. After you complete a circuit, you switch to the inside of your feet.
Closed Dribbling Drill
When you’re playing a soccer game, a large portion of your time is spent in a tight space where you need to use problem solving skills to get out. This dribbling drill works with that in mind. You’ll want three cones this time, which are arranged into a triangle at about two feet apart. The idea here is to dribble the ball between the cones using different surfaces of your foot.
Partner Drill
If you have a friend or teammate who would like to practice with you, this drill is perfect. You won’t even need to pull out the soccer practice cones. You will have your partner toss a soccer ball up into the air first. Then you will pass it back and forth using the inside of your foot ten to twenty times. Next you do the same with other foot. After that, you will do the same passing but with the laces of your shoe on one foot and then the other.
Confined Dribble
If you want extra help avoiding a defender while dribbling in a tight space, start by setting up four cones around five yards apart. Next, you and a partner will stand in the box. Your partner will attempt to steal the ball from you as you dribble, then you will switch roles.
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