| One of the first skills youth soccer players learn is | | | | can use that knowledge to your advantage during |
| how to dribble a soccer ball. The unfortunate thing is, | | | | the game. |
| many player never get beyond very basic dribbling. | | | | For instance, if you see that a player has trouble |
| When it comes to changing directions, or making a | | | | defending attackers that move to the left, you can |
| feint on an opposing player, they are at a loss. Your | | | | instruct your players to cut the ball to the left when |
| job as the youth soccer coach is to give them the | | | | they face that defender. While this may not be |
| tools to take their dribbling skills to the next level. | | | | useful at lower levels, it can give you a nice |
| Here are 7 tips you can use to help your players | | | | advantage in older youth soccer games. |
| develop this valuable skill. | | | | 5. Use Both Feet |
| 1. Maintain Your Balance | | | | Players that can dribble with both feet are much |
| As you dribble the soccer ball it is important that you | | | | more difficult to defend. Using both feet give the ball |
| maintain your balance. Keep your feet wide enough | | | | handler the ability to shield the ball better, and they |
| that you can quickly stop, start, and change direction. | | | | are able to change directions with the ball much more |
| When you play off balance it is impossible to do | | | | quickly. |
| anything except move forward in a straight line | | | | 6. Don't Be Predictable |
| without losing possession of the ball. | | | | As players start to learn more moves with the ball, |
| 2. Keep Your Head Up | | | | some of them will have a favorite move that they |
| When players first learn to dribble they have a | | | | use during the game. While this is understandable, it |
| tendency to watch their own feet. Unfortunately | | | | can lead to trouble if they rely onb a single move too |
| when they have their head down they cannot see | | | | much. |
| anything that is going on in the field. They have no | | | | When you become predictable it makes it much |
| idea where their teammates are, and they don not | | | | easier for a defender to know what you are going |
| see approaching defenders. | | | | to do with the ball. Once they know what you are |
| Make sure that you work with your players to keep | | | | going to do, it is very easy for them to take the ball |
| their head up when they are dribbling. Watching their | | | | from you. |
| feet is a horrible habit to get into, and it will hamper | | | | 7. Pass the Ball |
| your players development in other areas of the | | | | One of the biggest mistakes a youth soccer player |
| game. | | | | can make when dribbling is to miss the opportunity to |
| 3. Look Where You Are Going | | | | pass the ball. They try to dribble through traffic, or |
| While it is important to look around to see what is | | | | they allow themselves to get hemmed in on the |
| happening on the field, you should not lose focus on | | | | sideline or in the corner. |
| where you are going with the ball. When a player | | | | One of the fastest ways to move the soccer ball |
| stops paying attention to where they are going they | | | | and to spread the defense is to pass the ball. Don't |
| can quickly get into trouble. When they see what is in | | | | allow your players to get so confident in their ball |
| front of them they can make better decisions about | | | | handling abilities that they miss open passes. |
| what to do with the ball. | | | | As a youth soccer coach you need to find ways to |
| 4. Study Your Opponents | | | | get your players plenty of touches on the ball during |
| As players begin to develop they will start to be able | | | | your practices. These 7 tips will help you to develop |
| to spot the strengths and weaknesses of their | | | | your players into talented ball handlers. That put you |
| opponents. Players have tendencies to play a certain | | | | one step closer to victory. |
| way, and if you are aware of those tendencies you | | | | |