Are you ready to take your dribbling skills to the next level? Close ball control dribbling is what you must learn and master. It’s like having a magic wand that helps you keep the ball glued to your feet, even when defenders are trying to steal it. And guess what? It’s also the secret sauce for setting up those amazing curling shots that make the crowd go wild.
This article will dive into seven cool ways to improve your close ball control dribbling. But we won’t stop there. We’ll also explore some extra tips and tricks to help you become a dribbling wizard.
So, lace up your boots, grab a ball, and let’s get started!
Why is Close Ball Control Dribbling Important in Soccer?
Before we jump into the tips, let’s talk about why close ball control dribbling is such a big deal. Imagine you’re in a tight spot on the field, surrounded by defenders. What do you do? If you have great close control, you can wiggle your way out of trouble and maybe even create a scoring chance.
Close ball control dribbling helps you;
- Keep the ball when defenders are nearby
- Change direction quickly to avoid tackles
- Set up passes or shots in tight spaces
- Look super cool on the field (and who doesn’t want that?)
Now that you know why it’s important, let’s dive into those seven tips on close ball control dribbling.
1. Be Besties with the Wall
You know that saying, “Practice makes perfect?” Well, when it comes to close ball control dribbling, the wall can be your best practice, buddy.
Here’s how to make friends with the wall and improve your close ball control dribbling.
1. Find a flat wall (your garage door works great if you have permission)
2. Kick the ball against the wall
3. When it bounces back, control it with your foot
4. Repeat, repeat, repeat!
Start slow and focus on keeping the ball close to your feet. As you get better, try to speed things up. Can you do it 10 times without messing up? How about 20? Challenge yourself.
Pro tip: Mix it up by using different parts of your foot—the inside, outside, and even the sole. This will help you control the ball in all kinds of situations during a real game.
2. Cone Crazy: Dribble Through an Obstacle Course
Cones are like little orange teachers that help you practice tight turns and quick changes of direction.
Here’s how to set up your own cone obstacle course for your close ball control dribbling skills.
1. Grab some cones (or water bottles or shoes—anything works)
2. Set them up in different patterns—zig zags, circles, or random squiggles
3. Dribble through the cones, keeping the ball as close to your feet as possible
4. Time yourself and try to beat your record.
Remember, it’s not just about speed. Focus on keeping the ball under control. Imagine the cones are defenders trying to steal the ball. Can you keep it away from them?
Fun challenge: Set up a cone course and challenge your friends. Whoever can dribble through it the fastest (without knocking over any cones) wins!
3. One-Touch Wonder: Pass and Move
This one’s great because you get to practice with a friend. One-touch passing helps you improve your first touch, which is super important for close ball control dribbling.
Here’s how to do one-touch passes and move close ball dribbling control skills.
1. Stand about 5-10 feet away from a partner
2. Pass the ball back and forth, but here’s the catch—you can only use one touch!
3. Try to keep the ball moving without stopping it completely
As you get better, try to make it harder.
- Use your weaker foot.
- Move farther apart
- Pass the ball in the air instead of on the ground
Remember, the goal is to have soft touches that keep the ball close to you. Imagine you’re giving the ball a gentle hug with your foot each time you touch it.
4. Juggle Your Way to Better Control
Juggling isn’t just a cool trick to show off to your friends (although it is pretty awesome). It’s also a great way to improve your overall ball control.
Here’s how to get started with juggling for better control.
1. Start with your thighs—they’re bigger and easier to hit
2. Drop the ball onto your thigh and try to bounce it back up
3. See how many times you can do it without the ball touching the ground
4. Once you’re comfortable with your thighs, move to your feet
Juggling helps you get a feel for how the ball moves and bounces. This will make you more comfortable when you’re dribbling in a game.
Cool challenge: Can you juggle while walking? How about while spinning in a circle? Get creative and have fun with it.
5. Small-Sided Games: Big Fun, Big Improvement
Playing small-sided games (like 1v1 or 2v2) in a tight space is like a dribbling boot camp. It forces you to use your close control skills under pressure.
Here’s how to set up small-sided games to improve your close ball control dribbling.
1. Find a small area—half a basketball court is perfect
2. Grab a friend or three
3. Set up small goals (or use cones)
4. Play.
The small space means you’ll have to use quick touches and clever moves to keep the ball. It’s like real-game practice but more intense.
Fun variation: Play “King of the Court.” Winner stays on, the loser rotates out. See who can stay “King” the longest.
6. The Box of Tricks
This drill is all about quick feet and even quicker thinking.
Here’s how the box of tricks works.
1. Mark out a small square (about 5 steps by 5 steps)
2. Stand in the middle with your ball
3. Practice dribbling within the square, changing direction as fast as you can
4. Try to touch every side of the square without going outside the lines
This drill helps you learn to change direction quickly while keeping the ball close. Imagine you’re in a game, surrounded by defenders. Your box of tricks will help you escape!
Challenge mode: Set a timer for one minute. How many times can you touch all four sides of the square while dribbling?
7. Mirror, Mirror on the Field
This drill is super fun and helps you improve your close control while also working on your reaction time.
Here’s how to do mirror, mirror on the field to improve your close ball control.
1. Face a partner (about 5 feet apart)
2. Both of you have a ball
3. One person is the leader, the other is the mirror
4. The leader dribbles in place, doing different moves
5. The mirror has to copy everything the leader does, as quickly as possible
6. Switch roles after a minute
This drill helps you get comfortable moving the ball in different ways while keeping your head up. Plus, it’s pretty funny to watch.
Extra challenge: Try this drill without talking. The mirror has to react based only on what they see.
Bonus Tips for Dribbling Dominance
Now that we’ve covered the seven main soccer ball control drill tips let’s look at some extra ways to take your close ball control dribbling to the next level.
8. The 360-Degree Dribbler
Being able to turn quickly with the ball is a super useful skill.
Here’s how to practice the 360-degree dribbler.
1. Start dribbling forward slowly
2. Suddenly stop and put your foot on top of the ball
3. Roll the ball behind you and turn to face the other direction
4. Keep dribbling.
Practice this move using different parts of your foot—the sole, the inside, and the outside. The faster and smoother you can do this, the harder it’ll be for defenders to steal the ball.
9. The Obstacle Course Champion
Take your cone dribbling to the next level by creating a super obstacle course.
1. Set up cones in different patterns
2. Add some poles or sticks to dribble around
3. Put in some markers where you have to do specific moves (like the 360-degree turn)
4. Time yourself going through the course
This is like creating your own video game level, but in real life! Can you beat your high score?
10. The Rondo Master
Rondo is a keep-away game that’s great for improving close control. Here’s how to play:
1. Form a circle with 4-6 players
2. One or two players go in the middle
3. The players in the circle try to keep the ball away from the middle players
4. If a middle player gets the ball, they switch places with whoever lost it
This game forces you to control the ball under pressure and make quick decisions. Plus, it’s super fun!
11. The Slalom Pro
Slalom dribbling is all about quick changes of direction. Here’s how to set up the Slalom Pro.
1. Place 5-10 cones in a straight line, about 2 feet apart
2. Dribble through the cones, weaving in and out
3. Try to go as fast as you can without touching the cones
This drill helps you learn to change direction quickly while keeping the ball close. It’s like being a skier, but with a soccer ball!
And a bonus inside a bonus.
The Tight Space Wizard
This close ball control drill helps you get comfortable dribbling in super tight spaces.
1. Find a corner of a room or field
2. Try to dribble as close to the corner as possible without touching the walls
3. See how many touches you can get in 30 seconds
This drill teaches you to use small, precise touches to control the ball in tight spaces. It’s perfect for those crowded penalty box situations.
The Ultimate Dribbling Workout
Now that you know all these great close ball control drills, let’s put them together into a super dribbling workout.
1. Warm up with 5 minutes of juggling
2. Do the wall drill for 5 minutes
3. Set up a cone obstacle course and go through it 5 times
4. Practice 360-degree turns for 3 minutes
5. Do the box drill for 5 minutes
6. Finish with a 10-minute small-sided game
Try to do this workout 2-3 times a week, and watch your dribbling skills skyrocket!
Thinking Like a Dribbling Pro
Dribbling isn’t just about fancy footwork—it’s also about what’s going on in your head.
Here are some tips to help you think like a dribbling pro.
1. Stay calm: Even when defenders are closing in, try to stay relaxed. Tense muscles make it harder to control the ball.
2. Keep your head up: Try to look around while you’re dribbling. This helps you see passing options or spaces to dribble into.
3. Be confident: Believe in your skills! If you think you can dribble past a defender, you’re more likely to do it.
4. Learn from mistakes: If you lose the ball, don’t get upset. Think about what went wrong and how you can do better next time.
5. Visualize success: Before games or practice, imagine yourself dribbling successfully. This mental practice can actually help you improve!
Learn from the Best
Want some inspiration? Even us as ladies we have popular footballers role models that we would like to play like. Check out these amazing dribblers.
1. Lionel Messi: Known for his incredible close control and ability to dribble in tight spaces.
2. Neymar: Famous for his flashy skills and quick changes of direction.
3. Marta: A wizard with the ball, she’s often called “the female Pelé.”
Watch videos of these players and try to copy their moves. But remember, the goal isn’t to be exactly like them—it’s to learn from them and develop your own style.
Protect Yourself and Others
While you’re working on becoming a dribbling superstar, it’s important to stay safe.
1. Wear proper shoes: Make sure your cleats fit well and provide good support.
2. Warm up: Always do some light jogging and stretching before practicing.
3. Stay hydrated: Keep water nearby and drink often, especially on hot days.
4. Be aware of your surroundings: When practicing, make sure you’re in a safe area away from traffic or other hazards.
5. Respect others: When dribbling near other players, be careful not to accidentally kick them.
The Road to Dribbling Greatness
Becoming a great dribbler takes time and practice. Here are some tips to stay motivated as you improve your close ball control and dribbling.
1. Set goals: Maybe you want to master a certain move, or dribble through your cone course in a specific time. Having clear goals helps you see your progress.
2. Track your progress: Keep a practice journal where you write down what you worked on and how you did.
3. Celebrate small wins: Did you juggle the ball 10 times without dropping it? That’s awesome! Celebrate these little victories.
4. Find a practice buddy: Everything’s more fun with a friend. Plus, you can challenge each other and learn together.
5. Mix it up: If you get bored with one drill, try another. Keep things fresh and exciting!
6. Remember why you started: Think about how cool it’ll be to dribble past defenders and score amazing goals. Let that vision drive you forward!
Final Whistle to Starting Your Dribbling Journey
Whew! We’ve covered a lot of ground around close ball control, from wall drills to mental tricks. But remember, reading about dribbling is just the start. The real magic happens when you get out there and practice.
Every touch of the ball, every cone you dribble around, every game you play—it all adds up. You might not see improvement day to day but stick with it. Before you know it, you’ll be dribbling circles around your opponents!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a ball, find some space, and start dribbling. Your journey to becoming a close soccer ball control dribbling master starts right now. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll be watching you on TV, amazing the world with your incredible dribbling skills.
Pingback: 15 Tips on Mastering the Art of Soccer's First Touch Pitch Pearls