How to dribble a soccer ball
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In our soccer unit I would typically start with the basics for all grades and gradually increase difficulty when needed. More advanced players would receive more challenging drills while beginners focused on fundamentals. Start with "Tiny Touches" keeping the ball close to you. Initially players will want to look the ball so slowly encourage your player to keep their head up. Practicing on grass or on carpet will help beginners because the friction from the surface will keep the speed of the ball down. The idea is to gradually improve skills. When teaching my students it is important to remember that because it seems easy to me, it does not mean it is easy for them. Be patient and try your best.
Below are several dribbling drills. Prior to attempting any of the drills allow time for exploration. This will provide the player with an opportunity to experiment with manipulating the ball, starting, stopping, changing directions, etc. From here proceed to the drills below. |
Grade Level Expectations:
Young 5 - Dribble the ball under control from one point to another using 1 foot. Kg-2nd grade - Dribble the ball under control from one point to another using both feet. 3rd - 5th grade - Dribble the ball under control around objects using both feet and the instep and outside of the foot. |
worksheets and assessments
![]() Soccer Drawing/Writing Prompt. Click here to access. Fun alternate activity for Lower elementary students.
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![]() Soccer self assessment
Click on image to enlarge or print soccer self assessment. It is located on pg 72. |
Soccer dribbling drills
Dribbling skills are extremely important for maintaining ball possession, especially in crowded areas on the pitch like in the center of the field, near your own goal, or near the opposing goal. A player with good dribbling skills can move the ball in different directions at different speeds with both feet. They can successfully maneuver through opponents without losing possession of the ball.
These soccer dribbling drills were designed to improve your dribbling skills in crowded areas, your dribbling speed for breakaways and less crowded areas, and your ability to change direction with the ball.
Dribbling skills are extremely important for maintaining ball possession, especially in crowded areas on the pitch like in the center of the field, near your own goal, or near the opposing goal. A player with good dribbling skills can move the ball in different directions at different speeds with both feet. They can successfully maneuver through opponents without losing possession of the ball.
These soccer dribbling drills were designed to improve your dribbling skills in crowded areas, your dribbling speed for breakaways and less crowded areas, and your ability to change direction with the ball.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/published/soccer-cone-drill.png?1587579358)
Cone drill
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 10 or more cones
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Line up at least 10 cones 1.5 – 2 meters apart
Exercise: Players practice dribbling through the cones with the inside of both feet, outside of both feet; inside and outside of the right foot; inside and outside of the left foot; practice roll-overs, scissor kicks, etc.
Purpose: Practice ball control and touch
*Optional modification – Add a final cone 20 meters away from the other cones. When finished dribbling through the cones, sprint to the final cone with the ball at your feet for extra practice breaking away from defenders while maintaining control.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 10 or more cones
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Line up at least 10 cones 1.5 – 2 meters apart
Exercise: Players practice dribbling through the cones with the inside of both feet, outside of both feet; inside and outside of the right foot; inside and outside of the left foot; practice roll-overs, scissor kicks, etc.
Purpose: Practice ball control and touch
*Optional modification – Add a final cone 20 meters away from the other cones. When finished dribbling through the cones, sprint to the final cone with the ball at your feet for extra practice breaking away from defenders while maintaining control.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/published/soccer-suicide-drill.png?1587579705)
Suicide dribbling
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 5 or more cones
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Line up at least 5 cones 5 meters apart
Exercise: Starting at Cone 1, sprint with the ball to Cone 2. Turn and sprint back to Cone 1. Turn and sprint to Cone 3, back to Cone 1, and so on. Once you have reached all four cones and are back at Cone 1, take a 30 second rest before starting the next set.
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; improve physical fitness; practice turns and changing direction.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 5 or more cones
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Line up at least 5 cones 5 meters apart
Exercise: Starting at Cone 1, sprint with the ball to Cone 2. Turn and sprint back to Cone 1. Turn and sprint to Cone 3, back to Cone 1, and so on. Once you have reached all four cones and are back at Cone 1, take a 30 second rest before starting the next set.
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; improve physical fitness; practice turns and changing direction.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/soccer-1-drill_orig.png)
1 v 1 controlled scoring
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Set up a 30m by 20m pitch using cones to mark the corners. Make two 5m goals at each end line.
Exercise: Players start in the middle of the pitch. (Decide who starts with the ball). Players can only score by stopping the ball on the imaginary line between the goal cones. After a player scores, the other player starts with the ball from their own end line (where the other player scored).
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; practice 1v1 offense and defense; improve physical fitness.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Set up a 30m by 20m pitch using cones to mark the corners. Make two 5m goals at each end line.
Exercise: Players start in the middle of the pitch. (Decide who starts with the ball). Players can only score by stopping the ball on the imaginary line between the goal cones. After a player scores, the other player starts with the ball from their own end line (where the other player scored).
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; practice 1v1 offense and defense; improve physical fitness.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/published/soccer-1v1.png?1587580353)
Test your dribble speed
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Set up a 30m by 20m pitch using cones to mark the corners. Make two 5m goals at each end line.
Exercise: Players start in the middle of the pitch. (Decide who starts with the ball). Players can only score by stopping the ball on the imaginary line between the goal cones. After a player scores, the other player starts with the ball from their own end line (where the other player scored).
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; practice 1v1 offense and defense; improve physical fitness.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Set up a 30m by 20m pitch using cones to mark the corners. Make two 5m goals at each end line.
Exercise: Players start in the middle of the pitch. (Decide who starts with the ball). Players can only score by stopping the ball on the imaginary line between the goal cones. After a player scores, the other player starts with the ball from their own end line (where the other player scored).
Purpose: With this soccer dribbling drill, practice dribbling with speed and control; practice 1v1 offense and defense; improve physical fitness.