If you want to improve your soccer dribbling skills. Mastering the art of 1v1 soccer drills is a great place to start. These drills help you develop your footwork. They also help you hone your ability to maintain possession of the ball under pressure. In this article, you will discover how to develop your dribbling skills and outsmart your opponents with these 1v1 soccer drills. Improve your technique and become a better player.
The Importance of Dribbling Soccer Drills
It’s important to understand why 1v1 drills are vital to improving your dribbling skills. There are a few reasons identified here:
- Pressure: When a player is in a 1v1 situation, there’s no one else to rely on but yourself. This puts a lot of pressure on you to maintain possession and make clever decisions to keep the ball. Dribbling with your eyes up will help you see a range of options available.
- Creativity: In a 1v1 scenario, you have more freedom to be creative with your dribbling. You can try out new moves and experiment with different techniques. I would suggest mastering 2-4 basic skills that you use each time you are faced with a 1v1 situation.
- Confidence: Completing a 1v1 drill can give you a huge boost of confidence on the field. When you know you have the skills to beat a defender one-on-one, you’ll be more likely to take risks and push yourself to make bold moves. Just remember that 1v1 moments are tough and the success rate of a 1v1 is just over 50%.
4 Useful Soccer Dribbling Skills
You need to have a variety of skills to beat defenders in a 1v1 situation. These soccer skills will help you to navigate your way through difficult situations. Use some of the skills below to improve your attacking abilities and take your game to the next level.
- Outside Cut: Involves using the outside of your foot to cut the ball in the opposite direction. Start with the ball at your feet and a defender in front of you. Dribble towards the defender, then just before you reach them, use the outside of your foot to cut the ball in the opposite direction. This move is useful because it can be used to create space and deceive defenders.
- Stop-Start: Teaches players how to use changes of speed to open up space and beat defenders. To do this drill, start with the ball at your feet and a defender in front of you. Dribble towards the defender, then just before you reach them, stop the ball with the sole of your foot. This will cause the defender to slow down or stop, allowing you to accelerate away from them.
Skills When Facing Defenders
- Scissors: This soccer move involves swinging one leg in front of the ball. Then immediately using the other foot to push the ball in the opposite direction. Start with the ball at your feet and a defender in front of you. Take a step to one side of the ball. Then swing your other leg in front of the ball as if you are going to dribble in that direction. Instead, use the inside of your other foot to push the ball in the opposite direction.
- The Body Feint: Involves using your body to deceive the defender and create space. As you approach the defender. Take a step to one side as if you are going to dribble in that direction. Instead of dribbling, quickly shift your body weight to the other foot. Use the inside of your foot to push the ball in the opposite direction. This move creates space for players to shoot, cross or pass.
You need to have a range of attacking skills that allow you to create space, beat defenders, create angles to pass, and score goals. These 1v1 soccer skills are a great way to improve your attacking abilities and become a better soccer player.
Why is Dribbling Important?
Dribbling is a fundamental soccer skill that allows players to move the ball forward. It helps players maintain possession while evading defenders. It requires a combination of footwork, agility, and ball control.
Good dribbling skills can help a player maintain control of the ball. Dribbling is usually a skill that is used attacking third. Good dribbles can create more scoring chances for themselves and others. It can also help players draw fouls, and create space for their teammates. Additionally, strong dribbling skills can help build a player’s confidence and overall soccer ability.
Dribbling is an essential skill. It can greatly impact a player’s and a team’s success on the field. By mastering dribbling, players can increase their chances of success in-game moments. Generally speaking, good dribblers are more versatile and valuable players.
How do you coach dribbling?
Coaching dribbling to soccer players involves a combination of both technical and tactical training. Here are some practical tips for coaching dribbling:
- Teach correct technique: Proper technique is the foundation of good dribbling. Teach players to use different parts of the foot (insides, outsides, sole). Being able to control the ball on the move is also vital. Encourage players to keep their heads up and maintain a low center of gravity.
- Ball mastery drills: Involves practicing different techniques while dribbling the ball. Examples include changing direction, stopping and starting, and feinting. Ball mastery drills help players to improve their footwork and ball control.
- Better decision-makers: Dribbling is not just about individual skill. Players need to make smart decisions on the field as well. Teach players to spot the correct moment of when to dribble, and when to pass. Encourage them to read the game and make quick, effective decisions.
- Practice in game-like situations: Set up drills and exercises that mirror game situations. Activities that involve dribbling past defenders and then making a choice are great. This will help players develop their dribbling skills under pressure and in realistic game situations.
- Provide feedback: Give players feedback on their dribbling technique and decision-making skills. Offer feedback and encourage the players to learn from their mistakes/setbacks.
3 Dribbling Soccer Drills
1v1 Dribbling to Sprint
Organization: In a 30 by 20 space. Arrange the players on opposite sides of the playing area. Set up two scoring zones with a mini-goal behind each one. Arrange the players on the halfway point of the pitch opposite each other. Have a supply of balls to ensure the practice flows.
Run the Drill: Blacks start as defenders. The ball is played across the field to the first red attacker. The red player must dribble the ball into any of the scoring zones and score in the mini-goal. The black defending player must win back the ball and score the furthest goal from where they won the ball. After a goal is scored the two players must race to the opposite scoring zone.
Coaching Points: Get the ball out of your feet. Slow down the defender and draw them close to the ball. As the defender slows try to accelerate away from them. Try to keep your body between the ball and the defender. Stop-Start and turns are great skills to use for this drill.
Attack-React-Defend Drill
Set up: In a 30 by 30 square. Arrange 4 mini goals, two on one side of the square and two on the other. Opposite each pair of goals place a team of players. Create a scoring zone for each team to be in before a goal can be scored. Have a supply of footballs in the corner of the pitch.
Just Play: The black player starts as the attacker. They must dribble into the scoring zone and then score in a mini-goal. As soon as this phase is over the black player must defend against the next red in line. Again, the red must dribble into the scoring zone before hitting a mini-goal. The red player then reacts to defend against the next black attacking player. Should the defender win the ball they should either pass it to the next waiting player in their team or dribble over the end line opposite the goals they are defending.
Key Messages: Attack the space at the sides of the defender at speed. Use Feint-type moves to fool the defender. Disguising their intention is important for the attackers. Quick reactions to turnovers in possession are vital. Players must transition quickly from attack to defense.
Dribbling Soccer Drills: Attacking down the sides
Drill Set Up: In a 15 by 20 space. Place 2 mini-goals on either side of a scoring zone. Place a coned gate within the scoring zone. Defenders start on either side of the tall coned gate. Attackers start behind the red and blue coned gates.
How to Play: The black defender starts the practice. The black defender dribbles the ball through the middle of the red and blue gates. They pass the ball to the red attacker, who must take their touch through either the blue or red gate. The defender must run through the opposite gate. The attacker dribbles the ball into the scoring zone where they must whip the ball into the furthest mini-goal. The defender could also dribble through the coned gate in the scoring zone as an alternative way of scoring. If the defender wins the ball they can dribble through the red or blue gate to score.
Coaching Points: Effective use of the first touch is vital to the success of the attacker. They must use it to create distance between them and the defender. Traveling with the ball at speed is important for the attacker, they must get into the scoring zone quickly. Once in the scoring zone, the attacker should try to score quickly. Cutting moves and stop-starts are good skills to use in this drill.
In Summary
Mastering these 1v1 dribbling soccer drills is a crucial component of developing intelligent soccer players. These drills not only help you develop individual footwork but also enable you to maintain possession of the ball under pressure. With consistent practice, these drills will contribute to the physical development and confidence of the player.
Assigning some time to master some of the suggested skills would also be a good idea. This can be done with some unopposed practices. The players just have a ball each and work through some of the moves they might need for the 1v1 dribbling practices.
The drills should make up a component of the overall session. As coaches, the focus should be on the individual’s attitude to apply the coaching points. The coach should also take responsibility for organizing the practices so each player gets an equal amount of time attacking and defending. Repetition of the activity and the realism of each situation should be a priority.
Frequent Questions
How often should I practice these drills?
We recommend practicing these drills at least 2-3 times a week for around 20 minutes. 1v1 dribbling is a vital component of player development. As coaches, you should use this period of time to encourage the players to be creative and direct.
What should I do if I’m struggling with a particular drill?
Take a step back and focus on the basics. Look at the coaching points for the drill. Are you achieving them or missing something? Practice the drill against different opponents. Make sure you have a solid foundation of dribbling skills before attempting the drills. Can you perform a range of dribbling moves at speed in unopposed situations? If you cannot then this would be a good place to start.
Can these drills be done alone or do I need a partner?
The skills needed for dribbling soccer drills can be practiced alone. The 1v1 drills need a partner ideally of equal ability so the player is challenged by the situations the drills create. If performing the drills with a partner make sure that each player takes a turn as the attacker and defender.
Related Content
Find below some useful links to articles that cover a similar topic.
- Become a Top Scorer with these 1v1 Soccer Drills
- How to Defend in Soccer 1v1 and Win the Duel
- Some additional 1v1 sessions on a different website can be found HERE