How to Develop Dribbling Skills in Youth Soccer Players

Dribbling - maintaining control of the ball while running - is one of the first soccer skills taught at the beginning level. You can help your player develop dribbling skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer Balls
  • Soccer balls
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be patient. Although dribbling is a skill initially taught to beginners, they will not have mastered it.

    • 2

      Use small touches. That helps keep the ball close to the player.

    • 3

      Use different surfaces of the foot. Once a beginning player is comfortable with the inside of the foot, try other areas - the laces, the outside of the foot, the sole.

    • 4

      Keep the head up. Try to enforce not looking down at the ball.

    • 5

      Use proper posture. Keep low, with knees slightly bent.

    • 6

      Use progressive defending (guarding). Start with no pressure, then graduate to light pressure. Use full pressure with advanced players, and seek to take the ball.

    • 7

      Practice using drills and games. To help players keep their heads up and looking where they're going, hold up different numbers of fingers while the kids are dribbling around the field. The first one to spot the new number wins a point.