We know that in the modern game there are a large number of techniques/skills** used by the top dribblers. However we have identified a number of techniques which provide our players the foundation for learning other techniques.
With the techniques that are described here, the players learn terminology, coordination, balance, movement patterns, multi-directional hopping and multi-plane body control. These are the building blocks and are the beginning to a players exploration of dribbling.
These techniques are 'essentials' that players should have in their toolboxes. Practice Practice Practice.
** Technique is the creation of the movement, like learning a new dance step; whereas, a skill is the application of this technique within the game.
Touch Every Step / Skipping
'Skipping' or touching every step using the inside and outside of the foot to manipulate the ball, never allowing the foot that a player is dribbling with to hit the ground without touching the ball.
Bend the knees and stay low with arms out in the dribbling position (elbows out to side and hands in front of the body swinging as they run).
Turn the hips with each touch so after each touch the dribbler is facing in a new direction. Avoid simply moving the ball and keeping the hips facing the same direction the entire time.
Bend the knees and stay low with arms out in the dribbling position (elbows out to side and hands in front of the body swinging as they run).
Turn the hips with each touch so after each touch the dribbler is facing in a new direction. Avoid simply moving the ball and keeping the hips facing the same direction the entire time.
Roll Across Body
While dribbling the ball on one foot (touching every step), roll the ball across the body using the bottom (sole) of the foot.
Keep the knees bent so the roll will travel from outside of one hip to the other foot and outside of the other hip. As the legs cross over, the ball will roll farther if the knees are bent.
Keep the knees bent so the roll will travel from outside of one hip to the other foot and outside of the other hip. As the legs cross over, the ball will roll farther if the knees are bent.
Roll Across Body With Step Over
As in the previous 'Roll Across Body' technique, the player reaches to one side and uses the bottom of the foot (sole) to roll the ball across the body to the other side. Only this time, the player swings their leg across the ball and allows the ball to go underneath them as they pivot and take the ball away in the other direction.
When the player steps they should focus on dropping the hips so it appears as though they are going to move in the direction of the step.
When the player steps they should focus on dropping the hips so it appears as though they are going to move in the direction of the step.
Stop Turn & Stop Turn with Revellino
One of the fastest turns a player can use and a turn which sends no signals to the defender that they are going to turn. Simply stop the ball with the bottom of the foot and then take it away with the outside of the other foot.
- Land 1/2 turned and low for a quick acceleration.
- Be in the air as the ball is stopped and end up on the other side of the ball.
- Perform this with the foot farthest from defender and take the ball away with the outside of the foot farthest from the defender.
Stop Turn with Revellino
A technique added to the Stop Turn is a Revellino. This is used to develop the combination of techniques. Perform a stop turn then with the same foot that stops the ball, the player steps around the front of the ball and catches their balance (feet side by side) on the other side of the ball. Then using the same lead foot push the ball away in the original direction of travel.
Slide & Slide with Drag Back
The fastest way to turn and face forward or face a defender without touching the ball. Used in tight spaces the Slide allows an attacker to be shielding from a defender and then with a slight push of the ball away from the defender, and the Slide technique they can be facing the defender and dribbling at them in an instant.
When practicing the Slide swing the leg across the front (the young player can imagine the ball is their house and they are facing it from the street, this is the front, they then swing their leg in front of their house, then go over their house backwards ending up in the backyard) of the ball and put it down on the opposite side. Continue to pivot the body and go backwards over the ball.
Once to the other side, ensure that you are balanced on both feet and able to go right or left.
Slide with Drag Back
When practicing the Slide swing the leg across the front (the young player can imagine the ball is their house and they are facing it from the street, this is the front, they then swing their leg in front of their house, then go over their house backwards ending up in the backyard) of the ball and put it down on the opposite side. Continue to pivot the body and go backwards over the ball.
Once to the other side, ensure that you are balanced on both feet and able to go right or left.
Slide with Drag Back
As the dribbler goes backwards over the ball, they use the foot that they did not step with to drag the ball underneath them and farther away from the defender. Use a heavy foot on top of the ball in order to not have the ball slip out from underneath the foot. You can see the young dribblers at the end of the clips below experimenting with complimentary techniques following their slide. Get the basics then begin to add more and more to the techniques. You can see how the players at the end of the video are incorporating a 'Slide with a Drag Back and Opening up' in order to go forward and into space.
Inside Twist Off (Hook) Turn
Hook Turns or Cuts have been looked at as 'chops' where the ball gets played out of the feet on the first touch. This certainly becomes part of the technique when it is needed however an important variation is to think of Hook Turns as 'Stop-Starts', or 'Twists' because the ball is getting stopped and the player is twisting over top of the ball. After the ball is stopped, the dribbler now also has the option to turn or continue in the same direction depending on the action of the defender.
_________________________________________________________________
Begin with the ball on one foot, then with the inside of the foot reach forward and stop the ball. The body then twists and with the second touch start the ball moving in the other direction with the inside of the same foot.
360 Twist Off
The player stops the ball with the inside of the foot, steps backwards so they can twist their body and then the second touch with the inside of the same foot takes the ball away in the same direction that they were traveling.
Outside Twist Off (Hook) Turn
Hook Turns or Cuts have been looked at as 'chops' where the ball gets played out of the feet on the first touch. This certainly becomes part of it at some point when that technique is needed, however the Hook Turn can also be characterized as a 'Stop-Starts' and called 'Twists' because the ball is getting stopped and the player is twisting over top of the ball. After the ball is stopped, the dribbler now also has the option to turn
or continue in the same direction depending on the action of the
defender.
_________________________________________________________________
Begin with the ball on one foot, then with the outside of the foot reach forward and stop the ball. The body then twists and with the second touch start the ball moving in the other direction with the outside of the same foot.
_________________________________________________________________
Begin with the ball on one foot, then with the outside of the foot reach forward and stop the ball. The body then twists and with the second touch start the ball moving in the other direction with the outside of the same foot.
360 Twist Off
The player stops the ball with the outside of the foot, steps around the ball so they can twist their body and then the second touch with the outside of the foot takes the ball away in the same direction that they were traveling.
The player stops the ball with the outside of the foot, steps around the ball so they can twist their body and then the second touch with the outside of the foot takes the ball away in the same direction that they were traveling.
Cruyff Turn
While dribbling the ball on the foot farthest away from the defender, plant foot in front of the ball while turning it 90 degrees (as if the player is running down the line and are about to cross it), then the ball is pulled the ball behind the player (or between their legs) using the inside of the foot.
As the touch is taken behind the standing foot, the player should get in the air and switch positions of their feet ("switch their feet"). Slide the standing foot heel backwards. Put the foot that touched the ball down on the spot where the planting foot was just placed.
As the touch is taken behind the standing foot, the player should get in the air and switch positions of their feet ("switch their feet"). Slide the standing foot heel backwards. Put the foot that touched the ball down on the spot where the planting foot was just placed.
Step Over Turn
The Step Over Turn allows the player to shield the ball from his/her opponent while turning away from pressure. The step over the ball (actually around the ball) acts as a feint which sends the defender in the opposite direction. For visual learners this often is a very quick technique to learn. With many other players there may have to be a step by step progression.
1. With a dead ball player should run from one side of the ball to the other with feet spread apart and one foot goes on each side of the ball.
2. With a rolling ball (ball pushed out of players feet) the player focuses on running over the ball with feet spread apart and one foot going on each side of the ball.
3. With a rolling ball again, the player now takes a large step to the other side of the ball (exaggerating the step) but he/she must ensure that the other foot goes around the other side of the ball.
4. Now the player should be ready to put all of the pieces together with a slight hop as they pivot back to the ball after the big step. The most common error will be that after the large step, the player will turn and face the other direction without the second foot going around the opposite side of the ball. Now the legs are crossing over ("closing the scissors around the front of the ball").
5. The complete Step Over Turn below:
Shielding to Create
Shielding (protecting the ball) is thought of as a way to keep the ball whenever under pressure by an opponent. Unfortunately, players shield only to save possession. Once players become proficient at the below techniques they will move to the step where players will be in complete control with comfort on the ball and allowing them to lift their head and create attacks from the shielding position.
Progressions:
Player in the 'side-on' position learns to put the ball in the 'sweet-spot' or the 'safe-spot' by rolling the ball from bottom of the foot to the inside of the foot. The side-on position involves a wide base (feet spread wide), knees bent (lowering center of gravity), and closest arm out (providing more width).
Player then uses the turns which they have learned in order to turn away from a defender attempting to run around them to get the ball, or they are able to push the ball away from the defender and slide around the ball in order to face the defender.
Progressions:
Player in the 'side-on' position learns to put the ball in the 'sweet-spot' or the 'safe-spot' by rolling the ball from bottom of the foot to the inside of the foot. The side-on position involves a wide base (feet spread wide), knees bent (lowering center of gravity), and closest arm out (providing more width).
Player then uses the turns which they have learned in order to turn away from a defender attempting to run around them to get the ball, or they are able to push the ball away from the defender and slide around the ball in order to face the defender.
Zidane / Maradona
Named for the great Zinadine Zidane from France and Diego Maradona from Argentina, but it has been called 'the swivel' or 'the helicopter'. The subtle difference between the two in these examples are the speed at which they are performed. Zidane used this technique often to first shield then drag the ball past the defenders in two distinct movements, whereas Maradona would often appear to be spinning in the air and on top of the ball to get past defenders quickly. Players should try both and experiment with them against defenders.
ZidaneDribbling the ball on the right foot, reach forward and stop the ball with the sole of the right foot, then put that foot down on the other side of the ball as they turn their body backwards. The player continues to turn their body as they roll the ball to start it again with the sole of the other foot. They should end up dribbling in the direction that they were originally dribbling.
Maradona
Dribbling the ball on the right foot, the player lifts their body up and over the ball while reaching forward and stopping the ball with the sole of the right foot. They continue to turn body as they roll the ball to start it again with the sole of the other foot. The player should end up dribbling in the direction that they were originally dribbling.
Scissors / Double Scissors
Dribbling the ball forward, the player keeps their hips low and takes a step around the front of the ball (they can imagine their legs are the blades of scissors and open up those scissors around the front of the ball). As they plant their foot they push off in the other direction taking the ball away with the outside of the other foot. They finish the technique by following the touch with the outside of the foot with a touch with the inside of the foot to seal the space behind the defender.
Double Scissors
As shown below, it is possible to combine two of these steps around the front of the ball in order to create a double scissors. Ensure that the ball continues to move and that the players drop their hips with each step. The only change is the distance between the player and the defender where they begin the technique. If they are stepping twice, the ball will roll closer to the defender (unless the defender is moving backwards) so they must start earlier.
Double Scissors
As shown below, it is possible to combine two of these steps around the front of the ball in order to create a double scissors. Ensure that the ball continues to move and that the players drop their hips with each step. The only change is the distance between the player and the defender where they begin the technique. If they are stepping twice, the ball will roll closer to the defender (unless the defender is moving backwards) so they must start earlier.
Revellino
Revellino is one of Brazil's great players. This technique is the reverse of the scissors, in that the player does not open the blades of the scissors around the front of the ball, but instead they close the blades around the front. In fact, it looks as though they cross their legs.
It is important to drop the hips so they turn slightly in the direction of the step. If the player does not drop their hips, the feint (fake) does not work.
Step around the front of the ball, put that foot on the ground, then bring the other foot forward and put it beside the stepping foot. This is called 'catching your balance'. After they catch their balance they will be able to perform a more explosive push in the opposite direction of the step.
After pushing the ball with the outside of the foot, players should finish the move by taking a touch with the inside of the foot behind the defender.
It is possible to do two, three, or if you watch Christiano Ronaldo, five or six, of these Revellino step overs before pushing the ball. The key is to keep the ball moving and dropping the hips with each step.
Dead Touch
Referred to as the Dead Touch because the first touch of the ball across the body deadens the defender as they move their weight in the direction opposite to where you want to dribble.
The Dead Touch is performed with a hop (take off and land on the same foot). The ball is brought with the hop, rather than the ball being rolled or touched across the body. The leg which touches the ball hangs down, and it is the hop that moves the ball. Should attempt to keep the ball outside of the hip all of the time instead of having it roll across the body where the dribbler has to reach across the body to make the second contact.
Once landing after the hop, the player pauses and then pushes with the outside of the foot. Finish the technique by taking a touch in behind the defender to seal their path back to you.
The fake is more effective if on the hop, the player stands up tall and brings their arms up as well. Upon landing from the hop, the player should drop the hips again in order to push off in the other direction.
Build Up Exercises
The Dead Touch is performed with a hop (take off and land on the same foot). The ball is brought with the hop, rather than the ball being rolled or touched across the body. The leg which touches the ball hangs down, and it is the hop that moves the ball. Should attempt to keep the ball outside of the hip all of the time instead of having it roll across the body where the dribbler has to reach across the body to make the second contact.
Once landing after the hop, the player pauses and then pushes with the outside of the foot. Finish the technique by taking a touch in behind the defender to seal their path back to you.
The fake is more effective if on the hop, the player stands up tall and brings their arms up as well. Upon landing from the hop, the player should drop the hips again in order to push off in the other direction.
Build Up Exercises
Dead Touch with a Step Over
Adding on the Dead Touch technique. As the player returns to the ground from their hop, they then step around the front of the ball (open up the scissors around the front of the ball) and then pushes the ball in the opposite direction.
Ensure that on the step over or scissors, that the hips turn and lower to make it appear that you will be dribbling in the other direction.
Ensure that on the step over or scissors, that the hips turn and lower to make it appear that you will be dribbling in the other direction.
Matthews Move
Sir Stanley Matthews was a player who played professionally into his 50's. He was known for his dribbling, specifically a single technique that he used.
In all sports, dropping the shoulder while moving forward has been a very effective movement in order to get a defender to move their weight in the wrong direction (we call this wrong-footing a defender because they move their weight onto the wrong foot, thus not being able to move back quickly to stay with the dribbler).
The Matthews Move uses a simple "Jump In, Push Out" progression. As the player dribbles forward then make it appear as though they are going to go in one direction but jumping or heavily weighting on foot (turning their hips in that direction) thus dropping that shoulder (the left shoulder in the video above). The dribbler then pushes the ball out in the opposite direction.
"Jump In - Push Out"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)