How to Teach Dribbling to 8-Year-Old Soccer Players

Dribbling is one of the most fundamental skills to teach soccer players. It involves moving the ball into space, or past defenders, in order to attack or maintain possession. Teaching these skills to younger players is important, as the earlier they learn the better they will become.

Things You'll Need

  • Players
  • Balls
  • Cones
  • Pennies
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin with no pressure. Players must learn to manipulate the ball naturally. Have players moving freely in a grid, pushing the ball with the laces part of their cleats, left foot and right foot. Get them to use the outside and inside of their feet to change directions left and right. Then work on using the sole of the foot to stop the ball, and roll it backwards.

    • 2

      Use cones to create light pressure. Have players dribble the ball through a series of cone courses, from straight slalom courses to zig-zags. This creates an element of pressure that doesn't involve actual players. Have the gaps between cones start at 5 yards, and reduce the spaces the better the players become. Introduce skill moves at the cones, such as the inside cut, the pull-back and the outside cut.

    • 3

      Play games of 1v1. This will develop a player's ability to dribble past an attacker, or keep possession. Have players change direction under pressure, dribble against oncoming defenders, and dribble when defenders are running alongside them. This helps to develop situational awareness in 1v1 situations. Add a goal to score on in order to develop shooting off the dribble.

    • 4

      Play games of 4v4 to develop dribbling in a team framework. 4v4 is a good medium for 8-year-olds to learn to improve their dribbling skills. Play games of line soccer, where points are scored for dribbling over an endline, in order to maintain the focus on dribbling. There is no need at this age to expand beyond 4v4, so try to vary the games with conditions such as man-marking, attackers must beat one player before they can shoot or pass, and no forward passes allowed, to develop the skill.

    • 5

      Coach players in the mechanics of dribbling. These include small touches, one touch with every step, appropriate surface of the foot on the ball, head up to see the field, moving to space, and using feints and tricks to deceive defenders.