Knowing how to dribble a soccer ball is the basic technique you should master to become a professional soccer player. Good dribbling skills help you carry and change the ball direction using quick foot touches.
However, you need a lot of preparation to master the dribbling technique, such as leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating nutritious food, drinking enough water, and practicing soccer regularly.
If you want to practice your dribbling, let's first understand the types of dribbling below, along with tips on how to do it correctly!
Purposes of Dribbling
Dribbling has several purposes, including:
- Passing opponents.
- Avoiding tackles.
- Opening up space for other players to take a favorable position.
- Breaking the opponent's concentration.
- Approaching the opponent's goal post and opening opportunities to score goals.
Dribbling Techniques in Soccer
There are three dribbling techniques, namely dribbling with the inside foot, outside foot, and instep. Here are the steps:
1. Dribbling Technique with the Back of the Foot
Learn how to dribble a soccer ball with the instep as follows:
- First, position the body standing, facing the direction of the intended movement.
- Relax both hands beside the body.
- Focus your gaze towards the front.
- Push the ball using one instep.
- Position the toe of the foot to touch the ball by facing towards the ground.
- Dribble or move the ball forward on the ground.
- If you want to stop, use the sole by stepping on the top of the ball.
- The other foot serves to support the weight.
- Make sure your eyes are always focused forward.
2. Dribbling Technique with the Inner Foot
You can dribble a soccer ball with the inside of your foot by following the steps below:
- First, position the body standing, facing the direction of the intended movement.
- Relax both hands beside the body.
- Focus your gaze towards the front.
- Turn one of the ankles used to dribble the ball outward.
- Then, dribble or push the ball using the inside foot while stepping forward, following the ball's direction.
- Repeat the movement to continue dribbling.
- If you want to stop, use the sole by stepping on the top of the ball.
- The other foot acts as a weight support.
- Make sure your eyes always focus forward.
3. Dribbling Technique with the Outside Foot
Dribbling a soccer ball with the outside foot can be done by the following steps:
- First, position the body standing, facing the direction of the intended movement.
- Relax both hands beside the body.
- Focus your gaze forward.
- Turn one of the ankles used to dribble the ball inward.
- Then, dribble or push the ball using the outside foot while stepping forward, following the ball's direction.
- Repeat the movement to continue dribbling.
- If you want to stop, use your sole by stepping on the top of the ball.
- The other foot can serve as a weight support.
- Make sure your eyes always focus forward.
Tips for Effective Dribbling
In soccer, proper dribbling technique can make it easier to pass the ball to other players or even pass various shots. In addition, a good dribbling technique will help you control the ball.
A proper dribbling technique can help you maintain movement and balance during the game as well.
Because of its importance, every player needs to master basic dribbling techniques. Hence, here are some tips for a good dribbling technique:
1. Make Gentle Touches with the Ball
By making soft touches, you will make more contact with the ball.
At first, the soft touch will slow down the acceleration during dribbling. However, if you get used to this technique, you can dribble faster.
2. Use the Forefoot
When dribbling the ball down the field, use the front foot. This way, you can keep the ball close to the foot while maximizing balance and dribbling speed.
3. Pay Attention to the Surroundings
When practicing dribbling or playing in a match, novice players tend to focus all their eyes on the ball. However, you should not only focus on the ball but also on the surroundings.
This makes it easier to keep your eyes on the field while seeing the gaps between the opponent's defense, the position of other players, scoring positions, and the like.
4. Set the Pace
Moving forward predictably can allow your opponent to stop or move your step.
Practice changing your speed while dribbling. This way, you'll have more freedom to change speeds unpredictably, making it difficult for your opponent to anticipate your movements.
5. Protect the Ball with Both Feet
Always keep your knees bent when passing back and forth with the inside of your feet. Put your body between the opposing player and the ball. Change direction quickly to make it difficult for the opposing player to grab the ball.
6. Protect the Ball with the Body
Apart from protecting the ball with both feet, another technique you can try is keeping the ball close to the body when the opposing player wants to approach and grab the ball.
You can use your whole body to protect the ball. For example, use arms, legs, and shoulders to keep opposing players away from the ball. You can try to protect the ball with the foot furthest from the opposing player.
Those are the steps you can learn and apply to master the dribbling technique properly. Additionally, you can practice dribbling with your friend. Your skills will improve faster if you practice with others than alone.
During the training, don't forget #AQUADULU to avoid dehydration that risks reducing your body's performance. Since sports activities prompt you to lose quite a lot of fluids, drink healthy mineral water sufficiently to fulfill these fluid needs.
So, have you drunk AQUA today?
