How to Coach Dribbling in Kids' Soccer
- 1). Take into account the four key aspects of dribbling - foot position, ball position, turning/changing direction, and playing both feet.
- 2). Focus on other dribbling skills, including keeping the head up, acquiring a sense of space and keeping the field covered.
- 3). Have players avoid keeping the ball right under their feet. Rather, tell them to keep the ball a yard or so in front of them - a distance that allows them to play the ball.
- 4). Try a game called Spaceman (see the following three steps).
- 5). Create a square on the field, about 30 yards by 30 yards.
- 6). Have your players dribble around this square. Tell them they are spacemen, and they need to fill up in the space in the square while they dribble.
- 7). Make sure your players are spaced evenly within the square. Players will then learn that when one of them moves out of a space, someone else must move into that space.
- 8). Ask your players questions during practice. This will help them keep their heads up and be aware of where other players are.
- 9). Assign dribbling in the "doggy bag" (homework) given to players after a practice session.
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