How to Teach Kids to Dribble a Soccer Ball
Dribbling a soccer ball is the most important skill a soccer player can use. Professional soccer players practice this skill more than any other skill. Coaches stress the need to dribble not only to get the ball up the field, but also in the attaching 1/3 of the field to create scoring opportunities. If dribbling skills are mastered and used while on the attack a team will produce several scoring opportunities throughout the game. Everyone wants to shoot and score, but if a player can not dribble the ball into position to score there will be little chance of scoring a goal.
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Instructions
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Teaching Kids How to Dribble a Soccer Ball
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1
Begin by allowing the kids to get the feel for the surface that they are playing on. Allow them to dribble the ball wherever they want with no restrictions. Allow them to get the feel for the ball, the field and the pace.
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2
Set up cones in various formations. Instruct the kids to dribble the ball in a specific pattern around the cones. Have them focus on controlling the ball within the area that the cones lay out. This will force the kids to move with the ball and enhance their ability to think while moving throughout the field of play.
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3
Set up games for the kids to focus on situations they will face in a game situation. Games that place stress factors on the kids to react to game type situations, will force them to keep their eyes on the action on the field and not on the ball at their feet. This skill is most difficult for a player to master.
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4
Have the players challenge one another one on one. Have them take turns being the attacker and the defender. A drill like this will simulate an individual match up in game situations.
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5
Lay out a small field area with cones and have the kids create teams of 2 or 4 player per side for game like situations. Have one team of kids on the attack and the other team of kids on defense. Have them focus on dribbling around players and looking for the player that is not covered by a defender. This will help the kids learn to watch the filed of play and begin to make dribbling more of a natural movement.
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6
Have the kids work on movement and quick changes of direction. This will throw off defensive players. Deception and quick movement is the key to maintaining control of the ball through your dribble.
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Tips & Warnings
Every player's natural skill level is different. Some players move through these steps more quickly than others. Some players also may be much better at one type of dribbling skill than another.
References
- Photo Credit soccer dribbling image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com
