dribbling soccer drills

What is ball control?

Description of ball control in soccer

How to work on ball control in soccer?

What is good ball control?

1. Close proximity to the ball;
2. The ability to accelerate or slow down quickly;
3. Peripheral vision to anticipate the movements of teammates and the opposing team;
4. The ability to change direction and speed fluidly.
5. Good ball control combines technique and game sense.

General tips on ball control

1. Keep the ball close to you: avoid letting it stray, which gives the opponent the opportunity to recover it;
2. Use both feet: to be truly versatile, develop ball control with both feet;
3. Be unpredictable: vary the pace, angles, and movements to confuse defenders;
4. Work on ball touch: sensitivity to touch is essential for precise ball manipulation;
5. Stay focused: even under pressure, maintain concentration to make the best possible decisions.

What exercises to work on ball control?

• Progressive juggling: start by juggling with the ball using alternating feet, then progress to using thighs and chest;
• Dribbling with cones: set up cones at varying distances and dribble through them while maintaining ball control;
• Quick passes and receptions: work with a partner to perform quick passes at different heights and angles, focusing on clean reception and quick control;
• Small-sided games: set up exercises where your players dribble around defenders or pass in tight spaces, mimicking real game situations.