"Teach our players how to master the ball with good dribbling basics"
What is the best way to begin teaching dribbling basics? The kids should be introduced to the following skills.
- Inside of the foot - foundation touches.
- Outside of the foot - changing direction and tight spaces.
- Laces - dribbling into space at speed.
- Sole of the foot - changes of direction and tight spaces.
These basicswill help the kids build a good foundation for 1 on 1 soccer moves to take players on or shield the soccer ball.
Foundation touches
The player starts working on foundation touches...
- Using the inside of the feet, tap the ball back and forth.
- Keep the ankle locked and toe slightly up.
- The knees should be bent.
- Arms out for balance.
Coaching point: Practice in place and then have the kids practice on the move.
Foundation touches promote a good base to help soccer players develop good soccer dribbling habits. This base also helps the players when learning to dribble the soccer ball in tight spaces or learning more complicated soccer moves.
Using the outside of the foot
Players use the...
- Outside of the foot for changing direction or turning to keep control of the ball in tight spaces.
- The outside of the foot technique is toe up slightly and ankle locked.
- The player touches the side of the ball with the outside of the foot.
Exercise: Have the players dribble a figure eight using the outside of the right and left foot to increase dribbling basics.
This is a great for teaching soccer turns to players once they have mastered the basics.
The speed dribble
The players use the...
- laces for speed dribbles...getting into spaces fast.
- The technique is toe down and ankle locked, taking small touches with the laces.
Exercise: Once players have used the inside or outside of the foot to keep the ball, the player can then accelerate into space.
Learn the sole role
The players use the sole role to...
- Change direction.
- Roll the ball away from the defender.
- Shield the soccer ball.
- Can even be used as a pass.
Exercise:
An easy exercise for the players to practice are toe taps. If the players can do toe taps in one place try moving toe taps,forward, backward and sideways.
Variation:
Use the right or left foot only...
This is a great way for the players to keep their foot on the ball and move the ball away from defenders.
Dribbling basics soccer practice
Get the players warmed up...
Use any part of the foot - no restrictions except, not the toe, encourage the players to try and use all four parts of the foot and develop good dribbling basics.
- I always ask the players what are the four parts of the foot they can use? Let them answer!
- The next question I ask is what do we look for when we dribble? Let them answer, space!
Basic dribbling - 4 parts of the foot!
- Foundation touches - stationary - if the players are proficient get them moving with foundation touches.
- Outside foot - right foot first, then left foot...if they are doing well try both feet.
- Laces - An easy way to teach this is have the players dribble with laces taking small touches using the laces.
- Sole - The coach just has the players doing toe taps.
Ask the players if they can look up and see what is going on around them, but maintain control of the soccer ball while looking up. Once the kids have mastered the basics the coach can teach more advanced dribbling moves and techniques.
Fun dribbling game
Play a basic soccer dribbling concentration game...the soccer coach assigns numbers to each soccer skill...
- = toe taps on the soccer ball
- = outside of the foot dribble
- = foundation touches
- = laces dribble
The soccer coach calls out a number and the players have to perform the specific basic soccer dribbling move. These #'s games get the kids thinking about how to use the soccer move and provide lots of repetition.
Play 3v3 or 4v4 games so the kids can try out their new soccer dribbling skills. Small sided soccer games are important because the kids need a chance to try out their basic dribbling skills and apply them to the soccer game.