The ability to manage moving soccer is crucial, no matter the position. Ball control, like passing, is the fundamental element of football. You can’t hold ownership of the ball if you can’t control it when someone gives it to you; this is an apparent relationship. That’s why every player must learn how to dribble a soccer ball.
This informational blog will give you essential tips for improving your ball control technique; controlling a moving ball when received from a ground pass or while in flight. We’ll discuss why the first touch in receiving a ball is vital.
What Is The Goal Of Your Initial In-Touch?
Your first touch ought to minimize the ball’s impact, putting it under your control and sheltering it from other players. If you cannot do this, another team can take it away every time the ball is sent to you, ending your team’s possession. Every player must learn how to dribble a soccer ball successfully.
Moments when it would be good to move the ball quickly
However, there are moments when it would be good to move the ball quickly and transfer it to a teammate right away or try to make an attempt with your first touch rather than slowing down the game. Even so, having a good touch will improve your ability to perform such techniques successfully. Knowing how to dribble a soccer ball successfully is essential for all players.
Where Should We Play The Ball To?
When you acquire the ball, your first touch should take it into something that allows you to dribble a soccer ball or where you can simply pass it to another teammate. Collecting the ball and chesting it into space in front of you before the other player can get to it additionally constitutes reasonable ball control. When you have your back on the other player, you want to keep the ball close to your body; therefore, sheltering the ball would be desirable. Good ball control skills, including how to dribble a soccer ball effectively, are essential for players of all positions.
Following that, we’ll review a mental checklist of four steps to remember when you get a moving ball.
Get in position
Anticipate where the ball will land, and try to position yourself accordingly. When you are positioned to receive the ball, your body weight should be well-balanced to change direction effortlessly. Therefore, every soccer player must learn how to dribble a soccer ball.
Eyes on the ball
At every moment, your eyes should be on the ball, whether the pass is played on the ground or by the air. Put your arm out to determine where the other person is and, if necessary, block him off. This is when muscular upper body strength will come in handy. Moreover, it is the best way to dribble a soccer ball without extra effort.
Choose which body part makes a touch
After positioning yourself in the ball’s dropping zone, you must determine which body part should contact it. Was it your chest, head, feet, or thigh? Long passes from a distance usually demand you to bring the ball down with more cushioning to lessen the impact of the ball’s flight.
Eyes on the ball
The next thing to believe is the type of contact you want to establish. Do you want to soften the ball and get it under your control with your initial touch, or do you want to play the ball onward right away? You must be mindful of your surroundings in three dimensions. Keep track of where the other teams are and how much distance and time you have. Decision-making and spatial awareness are vital when we think about how to dribble a soccer ball effectively.
Correct technique for cushioning
The correct technique for cushioning is to pull your body part slightly back when the ball is about to make contact, thereby absorbing the impact. You can cushion the ball by bending your spine backward, pulling your leg down to ease the ball on your thigh, or gliding your feet down with the ball.
Timing is essential, and understanding it demands intense concentration and experience. When you start, your touches will likely be heavy objects, resulting in the ball rebounding forward rather than cushioning it. Professional footballers occasionally face this issue, so don’t be too shocked. With consistent practice on how to dribble a soccer ball, you’ll improve quickly and be well on your way to having reasonable ball control.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of dribbling is a crucial skill for any soccer player looking to excel on the field. It lets you control the ball, evade opponents, and create scoring opportunities. By obeying the tips outlined in this blog, such as keeping your eyes up, using all surfaces of your foot, and practicing different dribbling drills, you can significantly improve your ball control and become a more effective player.
Final Words
So, lace up your boots, step onto the field, and embrace the challenge of mastering the art of dribbling. With determination, practice, and the tips shared in this blog on how to dribble a soccer ball, you’ll be on your way to becoming a skilled dribbler and a formidable force on the soccer pitch. Explore the best soccer dribble skills, if you want to know more about soccer dribbling skills.
