How to Dribble a Soccer Ball

Soccer, popularly known as football in many parts of the world, is a game that unites many people. It is basically the most popular game in the world, with a following in nearly all the countries of the world. A game that has existed for hundreds of years, football is still evolving today. It originated in England and is a sport that has a strong following for both its male and female versions.

The game is played with a soccer ball by 22 players, 11 on each side. There are 10 outfield players and a goalkeeper; the goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their hands during gameplay, albeit within the confines of their own penalty box.

Usually, a soccer team has a coach who is tasked with setting up the team to perform in the best possible way. The coach is the one who decides the formation and instructs the players on how they are supposed to play.

Basic Soccer Skills

There are a number of basic technical skills that soccer players must possess before they can be deemed to be professional players. Some of the basic skills include an ability to play accurate passes, receiving (keeping the ball in control), shooting, running off the ball, heading, and trapping/ball control.

These skills are required by any player who will be successful as a footballer. A player must perfect these skills on their dominant foot and they should attempt to be able to carry them out to a reasonable point on their weaker left foot or right foot.

For a player to carry out a skill successfully in an actual game, it is important that they have practiced them repeatedly on the training ground. The skilled players are the players who have practiced the most. In training, players work hard to ensure that they are in the proper conditioning for games; training also helps players build endurance so that they can play for an entire game, which is usually an arduous task. 

In this article, we will discuss one of the most basic yet essential skills for players to possess, dribbling. Dribbling is arguably the most artistic and aesthetic part of football. In layman’s terms, it is the ability to get the ball past an opponent in order to attempt to score a goal, create a chance for a teammate, or get out of a tight spot. Dribbling is a very good and important attribute for players to possess, even though it is now much reduced in the modern game due to more regimented systems of play and the more fast-paced game. 

Dribbling

Let’s start by describing what dribbling is not. Dribbling is not the ability to perform cool tricks with the ball; to be honest, there is no point in practicing a trick if it cannot be used in a real game situation. Dribbling is the skill that enables you to get past your opponent successfully. If you have poor dribbling skills, there are very slim chances that you will be able to get the ball past your opponent.

Dribbling involves different variables like close ball control, the ability to perform relevant tricks, being able to control the ball at lightning speed, and knowing how to correctly apply body weight. A player who knows how to keep the ball under control will most likely be an excellent dribbler. The truth about dribbling is that it is easier if you have mastered having close control of the ball, enabling you to carry out fancy footwork easily.

A players’ dribbling ability is proportional to the degree of their close control. The best way to dribble is by pushing the ball forward with the laces of your boot from a stationary position while using the instep or outstep is the most effective if you’re in rapid motion. As long as you can retain possession while moving with the ball, you are dribbling. An explosive player has tons of dribbling speed in addition to their dribbling ability; this will make them a very dangerous player to defend against. 

How To Dribble

There isn’t exactly one perfect dribbling technique; different players employ different methods to get the ball past their opponents and retain possession. Some players rely on tricks and flicks, and some are more adept with their body movement and feints. Some rely solely on their close ball control to get past their opponents, and some use a combination of all to perfect their dribbling.

The art of dribbling requires much practice because being a good dribbler is a combination of various factors. A player may possess the basic dribbling technique, but if they can execute advanced dribbling moves, they will need to take time to practice them. The most popular way dribbling skills are developed is by using an arranged bunch of cones on the training pitch and getting the soccer ball past them repetitively. This helps the player build close control, and with consistency, speed increases. 

Deception is key to the art of dribbling. A player gets his opponent to think he wants to do X but goes ahead to do Y, and all of this has to happen within a few seconds, or else the player gets dispossessed by the opponent. There are varying dribbling styles; a player can use a quick change of pace to get past the opponent. Step-overs are another common dribbling style (this style was made popular by Brazilian players). The nutmeg is a skill that requires putting the ball in between the opponent’s legs. 

Some soccer dribbling tips include:

1. Always have it in the back of your mind that the key component in dribbling is speed.

2. Do not slow down after getting past your opponent; break away quickly to avoid losing the ball.

The art of dribbling is one of the factors that makes football such an enjoyable game to watch. It may require a lot of dribbling drills and practice, but in the end, it is always worth it for both the players and the fans.