3 Efficient Soccer Dribbling Drills

Soccer dribbling drills are very popular among players as they allow them to perform various and cool moves. One thing you should keep in mind is that you need to make your players aware of that they should always try to pass the ball on the first touch (during the games). With other words, they should only dribble when they have no other passing options.

Soccer Dribbling Drills - 1vs1 With Finish at The Goal



Purpose
The purpose of this drill is to improve your players abilities to beat their opponents in 1 vs 1 situations and to improve their finishing skills as well.

Drill Set Up
Place your defenders at the left side of the penalty box and your attackers one yard outside the half circle (see image). Each of your attackers should have a ball at their feet.

Execution of The Drill
One of your defenders at the left starts the drill by jogging into the area between the two cones. Once defender is on the place, the first standing attacker should start to dribble the ball forward. When the attacker passes the line between the 2 cones and enters the 18 yard box he should start to challenge his defender by performing different moves. Once he manages to get around his defender, the attacker should directly finish at the goal.

Equipment Needed
Balls, practice vests, 2 cones

Variants
A variant on this drill is to instruct your defenders to act passive which means that they should not necessarily clear the ball (even if they have the chance).

Summary
This drill is one of my top three dribbling drills. As I said before; it is great for improving your player’s ability to beat their opponents in 1vs1 duels while practicing on their finishing skills as well.


Soccer Dribbling Drills - 1vs1 With Cones and Finish



Purpose
This drill is aimed to improve your players speed with the ball, their dribbling skills in 1 vs 1 situations and ability to finish efficiently. It is pretty similar to the drill above but in this case I have added an extra moment.

Drill Set Up
Your defenders should be standing in a line at the right side (grey) of the penalty box while the attackers (red) should be at the left and in a line as well (see image above). Place 5 cones in the front of your attacking line with a half yard space between every cone.

Execution of The Drill
The first standing attacker starts the drill by performing a quick run between the cones while keeping the ball under control. When he is at the third cone, one of your defenders should perform a quick run into the penalty box and place himself on the same way like on the image above. When the attacker enters the 18 yard box, he should try dribble his defender and finish at the goal.

Equipment Needed
5 cones, practice vests, balls

Variants
Possible variations on this drills is to exclude your defenders and replace them with a cone.

Summary
This drill is similar to the 1vs1 With Finish at The Goal drill but will beside improving your players dribbling and finishing skills also increase their ability to control the ball under run.


Soccer Dribbling Drills - 1vs1 Race



Purpose
Practicing on your player’s ability to perform several different moves in a row while maintaining the control of the ball

Drill Set Up
Place the cones on the same way like on the image above. The space between the cones should be one yard or so. Separate your players into 2 equal lines. Create also a finish line at the end of the last cone.

Execution of The Drill
Two of the first standing players intakes a starting position just like on the image above. Once your blow the whistle they should perform an optional move at the first cone, quickly run with the ball to the second cone, perform an optional move again and continue to do so until they pass the finish line. When both players are over the finish line two new player’s intakes their positions and the drill starts over again. The team with highest amount of won races is the winner.

Equipment Needed
Balls, 16 cones

Variants
You can starts the drillvary this drill in several different ways. One thing you can do is to force your players to perform a different move at each cone. For example, if they perform scissors at the second cone they are not allowed to use it again. You may also increase the space between the cones to three yards (or more) depending on the age of your players.

Summary
This drill will force your player to take quick decisions during high tempo which is a crucial skill when facing practiced opponents. Your players will also compete against themselves which is a great way to increase the quality of your practice.

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