How to Dribble a Soccer Ball
Phenomenal dribblers are like escape artists: They get out of impossible binds and pull off amazing stunts that leave onlookers floored. Before the fancy tricks, though, you’ll need to ground yourself in the basics of ball control.
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You Will Need
- Soccer ball
- Grassy area
- Soccer cleats
- Cones or other dribbling obstacles
Steps
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Step 1
Place ball in front of you
Place the ball on the grass in front of you. Bear in mind that dribbling is simply the ability to move the ball at a reasonable pace while keeping it close and under control.
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Step 2
Tap ball with inside of foot
Square the inside of your foot to the direction you want to move, and tap the ball lightly with the inside of your foot in that direction.
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Step 3
Follow and tap again
Follow the ball closely, and again tap it lightly ahead of you.
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Maintain a low center of gravity and keep the ball close so you can change direction, stop quickly, or change pace.
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Step 4
Continue to tap & follow
Continue tapping and following the ball down the field.
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Step 5
Try using other foot
Try using your other foot, too, remembering to square the inside of the dribbling foot in the direction you want the ball to move.
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Look up, not at the ball, so you can see the field, your opponents, and your passing options.
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Step 6
Practice ball control
Practice your ball control by running a little faster and tapping the ball a little farther in front of you. Over time, you’ll become familiar with how hard you can tap the ball at varying speeds while still maintaining control.
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Step 7
Set up obstacles
If you have cones or other obstacles you can set up in the grass, try dribbling around them to simulate a game situation with opponents.
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Step 8
Find opponent
Look around for a flesh-and-blood opponent to try out your new skills on.
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Major League Soccer debuted in 1993 but didn’t see mainstream appreciation until the 2002 season.
