Youth Soccer Dribbling Drills

Soccer dribbling drills are critical to mastering the art of dribbling. Dribbling is one of the essential skills in soccer and is useful in taking on defenders, maintaining possession, or reducing pressure.

Dribbling is one of the first skills coaches should teach players at an early age.

Purpose of Dribbling in Soccer

Players can dribble to space to maintain possession.
Players can take on defenders to advance the ball towards the opponent's goal.
Players can dribble to releave pressure by creting time and space.

Soccer Dribbling Requires

Good footwork
Command of the ball at all times
Ability to change direction
Good with all parts of the foot (inside, outside, bottom, top, shoelaces, etc.)
Good with both feet
Proper touch (not too hard, not too soft)

Youth Youth Soccer Dribbling Drills Coaching Points and Techniques

Here are a few coaching points to focus on when coaching dribbling drills:

Low center of gravity.
Keep arms up and out for balance.
Keep the head and eyes up. The eyes should not be on the ball.
Scan the field as you are dribbling. This will improve your vison and awareness.
Dribble with the shoelaces when dribbling.
Keep the ball close in pressure and away from you in space.
Dribble with confidence.
When taking players on, get to the space behind the defender.
Use your body to protect the ball.
Change of speed and change of pace to lose the defender.
Accelerate once you have beat the defender.
Don't do too many moves, or attempt to beat the same defender multiple times.

Browse the Latest Soccer Dribbling Drills

Circle Passing Overlap Combination

The circle passing overlap combination drill will focus on passing, combination play, overlapping, playing with speed, and playing to feet. This combination drill is an excellent passing warm-up drill that can be a great start to a passing practice that incorporates overlapping.

3.22 (78) 142,569 Views

Circle Passing Combination Drill

The circle passing combination drill will focus on passing, communication, playing with speed, and playing to feet. This soccer passing drill is an excellent passing warm-up drill that can be a great start to a passing practice.

3.58 (59) 124,884 Views

2v2 Quick Attacking Soccer Drill

This 2v2 soccer drill is a great game to work on quick attacking and defending skills. It is a very fast paced and dynamic soccer game that the kids will love.

3.72 (157) 349,442 Views

2v2+4 Passing, Possession, Combination

This 2v2+4 soccer drill will focus on passing, possession, and combination play. This is a great small-sided soccer game when you want to perfect composure of players in tight spaces.

3.89 (104) 188,022 Views

Pirate Treasure Dribbling Game

This soccer dribbling game is designed for young players ages 3-8. The Pirate Treasure Dribbling Game will focus on young players dribbling skills and is great fun for the kids.

3.92 (168) 336,847 Views

Triangle Goal Game

The Triangle Goal Soccer Game will focus on all aspects of the game such as passing, moving, and finishing. The players will have to work together as a team to quickly off-balance the defender and catch the goalkeeper off guard.

3.97 (180) 350,218 Views

1v1 Defending the Dribble with Teammate

The purpose of this drill is to isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble while working with a teammate. This teaches young soccer players to work together with your teammate to shut down the attacker.

3.8 (120) 204,319 Views

1v1 Dribble Attack with Shot

The purpose of this 1v1 drill is to focus on dribbling to beat a defender and finishing with a shot. This drill can also be used to focus on defensive players defending the dribble.

3.92 (130) 194,869 Views

1v1 Defending the Dribble

The purpose of this drill is to isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble. This drills focus can be modified to focus on the first attacker taking on the defender.

3.81 (108) 223,963 Views