Soccer Dribbling

Soccer dribbling can be done in many different ways. There is no set way to dribble. Any move that takes you past an opponent while keeping possession of the ball comes under the dribbling banner.

Players tend to develop highly individual methods of beating a player, though there are some common features which can be observed again and again.

Dribbling is a risky business. It can be very difficult when against a tough opponent. Even for the best dribblers, it is not garauntee that they will always come out on top.

That is why it is best to take on one player then put in a good pass to an open team-mate then try to take on 3 defenders and lose the ball.

Because of the risks involved, soccer dribbling is best confined to the attacking third of the pitch, particularly when defenders are back in numbers and everyone is tightly marked.

In such circumstances, going past one defender will force another to come and challenge you for the ball. The defender might well leave a team-mate unmarked and space to exploit.

Dribbling in midfield, defence or in the penalty area can be very dangerous! If you lose possession of the ball in these areas, it can sometimes be very fatal.

Even your team-mates may not be able to recover the ball if the opponents are close to your goal, in this case, a goal is near certain for the opposition. In tight situations, it might be best to gaurd the ball to prevent losing possession.

Keep the ball under close control
if you kick the ball too far ahead of you, you will only make the defenders job easy for them.

Keep your head up
it is important to be aware of where your team-mates and opponents are at all times.

Attack with pace
A striker running at pace with the ball under control is a defenders worst nightmare. You don't have to be the fastest player to be a threat. Change of pace, when used properly, can be equally as effective.

Change direction.
Constant twisting and turning is a sure way to keep a defender on his toes. The more often he has to adjust his stride pattern, the more chance you have of putting him off balance.

Shield the ball.
Always try to keep your body between the defender and the ball. This will make it far more difficult for your opponent to tackle you without committing a foul.

feints and dummies
This is a big subject all by itself. In short, you pretend to do one thing and do another. This covers any movement which sends your opponent in one direction while you speed off in another.

Use both feet to play the ball
Most players have a stronger leg, and tend to use this more than the weaker leg. This makes it easier for defenders to anticipate where your next move will be. Keep the defender guessing by switching foot. This will increase your chances of getting past the defender.

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