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
Quick Transition Game
This soccer drill is an excellent way to focus on attacking and defending and is ideal for teaching the basic principals of soccer. The game can be modified to illustrate many aspects of the game.
Soccer End Zone Game
The soccer end zone game is a great soccer drill that will help coaches focus on all aspects of attacking and defending in soccer. With incorporating end zones into the game, it gives players a chance to learn to attack space behind the defense and allows defenders to learn how to deny space behind them.
Finding the Target Player
The Finding the Target Player possession passing drill is designed to encourage midfield and defensive players to look up the field to find the "Target Player" and play into that Target player.
Dribbling at the Cone
The Dribbling at the Cone youth soccer dribbling drill is a good soccer dribbling drill for young soccer players to learn to dribble without opposition. It is a fabulous drill to introduce different fakes and faints to gain an edge on the defender.
Dribbling to Beat a Defender
The Dribbling to Beat a Defender soccer dribbling drill is wonderful when teaching young players when and where to dribble, and how to beat the defenders on the dribble. This dribbling drill is best for U8-U12 Soccer Players. The emphasis is on allowing the dribbling player to unbalance the defender while approaching unchallenged.
Angle of Support Soccer Possession Drill
The Angle of Support Soccer Possession Drill is a soccer passing drill for teaching young players angle of support and spacing.
Split the Defenders Passing Game
The split the defenders passing game, soccer passing drill is excellent for a little more advanced player from 10 years old to 14 years and focuses on passing to split two defenders.
Four Corners Passing Game
The Four Corners Passing Game is a great soccer passing drill to focus on changing the point of the attack, and timing of runs and passes.
Guard the Castle
The Guard the Castle drill is a great small-sided game that focuses on passing in numbers up situations. This soccer passing game is a fun drill the kids will love it!
1 on 1 (1v1) Soccer Progression
This one-on-one (1v1)progression will focus on required dribbling skills, body feints, and the required burst of speed to beat a defender.
