Dribbling The Foundation For Success
The biggest problem that confronts players with their dribbling ability is CONFIDENCE. dribbling is not just running with the ball, there are many different attributes which which come together to make a successful dribbler: Confidence, Speed, Speed in which you move the ball, Acceleration, Changes of direction,Control and Creativity. A player with good dribbling skills has worked hard on these skills.
CONFIDENCE
A player with all the skills has nothing without confidence. You have to have self belief in your ability, think positive be optimistic. If you think negatively you lose that decisive edge, that can be the difference. The more you practice your skills the more familiar you become, and the more confidence you have in your ability to perform these skills. Confidence in being able to perform the skill is not the only part of a dribblers confidence. The player needs to believe that they won't lose the ball. If you happen to make a mistake don't become negative, you should not become disappointed and think negatively. What you should do is reassure your self and think why didn't it work: was it the situation, did i try to do it too fast, not fast enough. You think how can i make this work next time.
SPEED
Having speed is one of the best assets a player can have. The down fall is, that it's hard to develope. Having pace is a rare attribute that not a lot a players are lucky enough to have. But having pace is one thing being able to use is another. You have to select situations where it is most effective, 1V1 situations are a prime example of where someone with speed can virtually run past someone. Especially wide players they are often 1V1 with the right or left back, and when running at defender speedy players can do the simplest moves to get by players. e.g body swerve. It's important not to get overcome by speed or you find yourself worn out, to early.
SPEED WITH BALL
Having speed with the ball is crucial to a players success with dribbling. Players all the time attempt to beat players by dribbling to slow at defenders, they will simply fail. when dribbling at a defender it's important to have a decent amount of speed behind you, to put into the defenders mind that he only gets one chance to tackle you. You need to move the ball at a speed where it keeps the defender on his toes and jockeying backwards, but not to fast where you may loose control of the ball, can't turn quickly or change direction. It's a great skill to have. The problem with most players trying to beat their opponent is that they're not being decisive when dribbling at a defender, kind of waiting for the defender to make the first move. Look at Leo Messi when he runs at defenders he's decisive, he's found that happy medium of the right speed to dribble at, he makes the first move to see the reaction of the defender. He also knows if he gets into to much trouble he knows where his options to pass the ball are. The hardest part of dribbling at speed is to keep control of the ball. The best way is to dribble with the top of the foot touching the ball with every step. There a no real secrets to perfecting this technique only by training will you improve the skills to dribble and beat players with pace and skill.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION AND ACCELERATION
When you move the ball at speed, it's most effective when when you change directions, create different angles. these tactics make players umpredictable. Look at he good dribblers around the world i they rarely run at a defender straight on, angles can be the key. Changing direction can be useful when a defender picks which way you have tried to beat him, but then you turn 180 and start again. Acceleration is all about deception, trying to convince the defender that you are stopping or slowing down, the stop-start is a good trick to try. Dribbling with the ball, put the sole of the foot on top of the ball, then in the one motion touch it with the other foot and accelerate sharply. Acceleration is crucial to beating a player whether is be stop start move or a general dribbling move you don't want to be repeatedly beating the same defender over and over again
CREATIVENESS & TRICK
You need to be unpredictable. You don't want to be doing the same trick more than a few times. You need to at least have a couple of tricks in your armory. Another thing you don't want to be doing is always beating your opponent to one side. e.g. If your a right footer always beating the defender to get the ball on your right side, you need to go left to get that sense of unpredictability. To be creative dribbler means to have an a ray of tricks you can use. The key is knowing when to use them what tricks to use. You don't want to be beating your opponent in own 18 yard box, same as when dribbling at a decent pace you want to be doing the Hocus Pocus to beat your opponent. You have to be practical. There's one secret trick to learning the special moves and perfecting them, and that is repetition. You must get out there and work hard on your technique. practice standing still or doing them slowly at the start, as you slowly get better you move the ball and get quicker. All the best players around the world spent hours perfecting their technique and you should do the same, making sacrifices to get where there at.
CONTROL
Without you have nothing. Everything to do with ball skills revolves around the ball. At no point should the ball be ever more than 2 steps aways from your control. Your first touch is everything this can't be stressed enough. Your first touch must bring the ball under control, move the ball away from defenders, move the ball into space, at every opportunity take the ball forward. When receiving the ball you must relax, don't get the ball stuck under feet, know what you want to do with the ball before you get it.
TIPS
+ Stay unpredictable
+ Have confidence believe what you are going to do will be effective
+ Know what you are going to do with the ball before you get it
+ Pick up on little thing about your opponent e.g are faster the your defender
+ Keep the ball moving
+ Accelerate after beating your opponent
+ FINALLY GET OUT THERE AND PRACTICE ON YOUR TECHNIQUE