How To Dribble A Soccer Ball – Complete Guide (2025)
If you want to learn how to dribble a soccer ball – this is for you.
Dribbling a soccer ball is a fundamental skill that every player should master. It allows you to move past opponents and create scoring opportunities for yourself and your teammates.
In this blog post, we’ll go through the basics of how to dribble a soccer ball, as well as some tips for improving your dribbling skills (more confidence, speed, and creativity).
How To Dribble A Soccer Ball
Learning how to dribble a soccer ball is an essential skill for any soccer player. It allows you to move past opponents, create scoring opportunities, and make the game more exciting for yourself and your teammates.
Here are some benefits of learning how to dribble a soccer ball:
- Confidence: Being able to control the ball and move past opponents will give you confidence on the field. It will make you feel more comfortable in possession of the ball and more willing to take on opponents.
- Creativity: Dribbling allows you to be creative on the field. You can use different moves and techniques to beat opponents and create scoring opportunities for yourself and your teammates.
- Better decision making: Dribbling also help you to make better decisions on the field. When you have the ball at your feet, you have more options and can make better decisions about where to pass the ball or when to shoot.
- Standout with your play: Dribbling is a fun and exciting aspect of soccer. It adds an element of flair and creativity to the game, which makes it more enjoyable for players and spectators alike.
How To Dribble A Soccer Ball Step By Step
Step 1: Positioning the Ball
Before you start dribbling, it’s important to make sure the ball is in the right position. The ball should be slightly to the side of your standing foot, with your non-kicking foot next to it. This will give you the most control over the ball.
Step 2: Body Position
Your body position is also important when dribbling. Keep your head up and your shoulders square to the field. This will give you a better view of the field and help you anticipate your opponents’ moves.
Step 3: Basic Dribble
The basic dribble is done by pushing the ball forward with the inside of your foot, while keeping your head up and your body square to the field. As the ball moves forward, take small steps with your foot next to the ball, keeping it close to your body. This is known as the “sole roll” or “sole push”
Step 4: Changing Direction
To change direction while dribbling, use the outside of your foot to push the ball in the opposite direction. This is known as the “toe poke” or “toe drag”
Step 5: Speed Dribbling
To dribble faster, you’ll need to take bigger steps and push the ball further ahead of you. This is known as “speed dribbling” or “long dribbling”
How To Dribble A Soccer Ball Better
Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and his dribbling skills are a big part of that. He is known for his ability to move past opponents with ease, and his quick feet and close control of the ball.
One of the reasons Messi is so good at dribbling is due to his exceptional ball control. He is able to keep the ball close to his feet, and make quick movements with the ball, which makes it difficult for defenders to take it away from him.
He also has great balance and body control, which allows him to maintain possession of the ball while maneuvering around opponents.
Another factor that contributes to Messi’s dribbling ability is his technique.
He has a wide variety of moves and tricks that he uses to beat defenders, such as the “La Croqueta”, which is a quick stepover move where he uses his inside foot to drag the ball across his body, and the “Chalequito”, which is a quick change of direction move where he uses the outside of his foot to push the ball forward.
Messi’s exceptional vision and decision making also plays a crucial role in his dribbling.
He is able to anticipate the movement of defenders, and pick out the best option for himself and his teammates, which allows him to move forward with the ball and create scoring opportunities.
How To Dribble A Soccer Ball Faster
- Take bigger steps: By taking bigger steps, you will be able to cover more ground and move the ball faster. This is known as “speed dribbling” or “long dribbling”.
- Push the ball further ahead of you: Instead of keeping the ball close to your feet, push it slightly further ahead of you. This will give you more room to maneuver and allow you to move the ball faster.
- Use your body to shield the ball: By using your body to shield the ball, you will make it harder for opponents to steal the ball from you, which will give you more time and space to move the ball faster.
- Keep your head up: Keeping your head up will give you a better view of the field and help you anticipate your opponents’ moves, which will make it easier to move the ball faster.
By focusing on these key points, you will be able to move the ball faster and improve your speed dribbling skills. Remember to always practice regularly, use your body effectively, and keep your head up to anticipate your opponents’ moves.
Learn How To Dribble A Soccer Ball
In this video I’ll show you how to dribble a soccer ball step by step, with speed, and confidence.
Understand that knowledge is only power when it’s put into action. Make the necessary changes to your mindset, technique, training, and start to fall in love with your training. Be consistent and you will develop the improvements you desire.
If you want to improve your soccer skills, have more confidence when you play, and perform better on game-day – this should be obsession you keep with you for the rest of your soccer career.
Soccer Dribbling Tutorial
Common Questions
Here are some common questions about how to dribble a soccer ball:
How to teach your kid to dribble a soccer ball?
Teaching a kid to dribble a soccer ball starts with basic ball control and fun, engaging exercises. Begin by having them practice using both feet while keeping the ball close to their feet to maintain control.
Start slowly, encouraging them to tap the ball lightly with the inside and outside of their foot. Gradually increase speed as they become more comfortable with the motion.
Set up simple dribbling drills such as weaving through cones, turning the ball at speed, and playing games that make dribbling enjoyable and natural. Most importantly, ensure they are confident, patient, and practicing regularly.
How do you dribble successfully?
Successful dribbling in soccer requires a combination of skill, control, and awareness. To dribble successfully, always keep the ball close to your feet to ensure you can quickly change direction.
Use the inside, outside, and sole of your foot to manipulate the ball in different directions, keeping your head up to scan for defenders, teammates, and potential opportunities.
Practice shifting your body weight and using your body to shield the ball while remaining balanced and quick on your feet. Dribbling becomes more effective with speed and unpredictability, so use feints, changes in pace, and quick touches to outmaneuver your opponents.
How can I dribble better in soccer?
To improve your dribbling, practice with both feet, working on your ability to use the inside, outside, and sole of your feet to manipulate the ball in tight spaces.
Focus on improving your close control and keeping the ball within your immediate range while on the move. Incorporate drills that focus on agility, such as cone weaving, quick starts, and changes in direction.
Building confidence in using both feet, keeping your head up to observe the field, and practicing with real defenders will help you become more unpredictable and creative in your dribbling. Regular practice and a good understanding of the timing and positioning of your dribbles will enhance your overall skill.
Do you look at the ball when dribbling soccer?
While it’s important to know where the ball is in relation to your body, looking at the ball constantly when dribbling can limit your awareness of what’s going on around you.
As you practice dribbling, focus on maintaining close control of the ball without needing to stare at it all the time. Train yourself to look up and scan your surroundings for defenders, teammates, and available passing options while keeping the ball under control with your feet.
With practice, you can develop a sense of ball control that allows you to avoid needing to look down, making your dribbling more effective and dynamic.
How to dribble a soccer ball while running fast?
Dribbling at speed is all about maintaining control while using the space effectively. Keep the ball closer to you when you’re accelerating and make quicker, lighter touches.
As you increase your speed, use more of the inside and outside of your foot to make small adjustments without losing control. Practice keeping your body low and leaning into the run to stay balanced.
Use your body to shield the ball and create space from defenders. Focus on having quick, explosive movements with each touch while making sure you aren’t overextending your strides, which can make the ball more difficult to control.
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About Coach Dylan
I used to struggle with confidence in soccer, feeling slow, weak, and unmotivated. Coaches overlooked me, and friends made fun of my skills. At one point, I even quit.
But I decided to take control of my development. Through hard work, I transformed my game, earned league titles, awards, a college scholarship, and international caps.
Now, I share my lessons and help others improve through my YouTube channel (1/2 million subscribers), soccer coaching and personal training.
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