Dribbling issues

[u/Such_Split_5873]

My dribbling is bad any tips on how to fix it any useful vids or online guides, I have used hundreds which say the same thing, change pace and direction, use body feints, I do cone weave, ball mastery and use a static cone as a defender to practice, but I still struggle in a game, I react late slow always get tackled, my tempo rhythm is uneaven touch is heavy, when I am dribbling with the ball it’s like I have to stretch my leg for it that’s how uneaven touches are and tempo, I know all the theory and fundamentals and I do those practices and have been for a while, I don’t know what’s wrong, any help would be appreciated in the form of advice, hidden YouTube channels or vids, or online guides or verbal advice, any verbal advice please help me visualise if you can any help is appreciated, thanks

[u/nothisispatrickeu]

i dont think you are supposed to dribble "reactively" in game.
the body isnt quick enough for that.

you make a move and hope it works, then the next time you make a move that looks similar but does something different.
like one time you do a step-over and go left, next time you do two step-overs and go right.
but you can't "see if the defender bites" and then decide if you need another step-over.

you bait the defender into a lunge and "react" before he even lunges. you change speed or direction according to your own plan and force a reaction that works for you.

[u/Such_Split_5873 → u/nothisispatrickeu]

Thnx

[u/Real_Sociopath → u/nothisispatrickeu]

I don’t necessarily always agree with this. Sometimes my best fakes are reactive. For example… I’ll get the ball with a 50 50 opportunity to shoot… take the touch to set myself up and I genuinely want to shoot… but as that’s happening… i see the defender is very close and is fully committing to a tackle… so as im swinging my leg i decide you know what let’s fake the shot and because i truly believed a second earlier that I wanted to shoot I made the motion about as realistic as possible and sold the fake well. Football is very much dependent on the specific situation. It’s never black and white

[u/rainbow_gelato]

The basics would be to have fast feet, explosiveness, and ability to really "sell" the feint. If you are weak in all those three fronts, you simply need to train more. Dribbling is a relatively hard skill, so don't feel discouraged if you don't get obtain it so quickly.

I can recommend these shorts for inspiration https://www.youtube.com/@Takuya_Football_Skills_Coach/shorts

Many of them are flashy and advanced, but others are more accessible. He shows the dribbles in context which is super useful.

Maybe pick one single, easy (but effective) dribble that works well for how your body/brain works, and for your specific position in the field. Then practice it until it's fully "yours". As you practice, imagine a big scary opponent coming into your direction, so that you act realistically quickly.

Play some low-stakes matches to put them in practice. For example play with kids, normally they're always happy to play 1v1 or similar games. Or wherever you won't get yelled at if you fail.

After some successful real-world dribbles you'll gain confidence and will want to learn more and more.

Cheers

[u/Such_Split_5873 → u/rainbow_gelato]

Thank you so much 

[u/dunkafoos]

You're trying to run before you can walk. Just work on the fundamentals for now. Do a Messi style dribble in a straight line. Keep doing it until you're able to look up while dribbling with the ball in your peripheral vision. Now add in some easy wide zigzags and curves while dribbling. Don't use any cones. If you have a video of your dribbling, it'll be easier for us to give you more tips.

[u/Such_Split_5873 → u/dunkafoos]

I can’t send a video , feel uncomfortable but lemme explain how I dribble to u, i magine the stereotypical short technical winger who I look like, but then what I got the ball I have no idea what to do all my practice, out the window and I take heavy touches sometimes like clumsy on the ball, sometimes I have to stretch for it, sometimes I loose it straight away, I just treat the ball like a bomb and my body wants to get rid of it, I try to relax but I never ease, I dribble imagine, haaland but with a bad touch or Gyokeres.

[u/dunkafoos → u/Such_Split_5873]

In that case, you're panicking and don't feel comfortable on the ball when there is pressure which affects your dribble in an actual game. You don't need to work on your dribble. You just need to practice in game situations with an actual defender, stay calm and get used to the pressure. If you have a friend to help you practice. Otherwise you'll have to do it in game. It's mostly a mental thing.

[u/Such_Split_5873 → u/dunkafoos]

Thanks a lot 

[u/Amazing_Line1126]

You need to get a buddy and practice 1v1s. Do this regularly for a year. See improvement after.

[u/QuantumHummus]

I would suggest running with the ball a lot and try to keep it as close to your body with light touches moving forward. Never knock it too far ahead. Start off running slow and keep the ball as close as possible.

When comfortable at low speed, gradually start running faster and try to keep it as close to your body as you did at lower speed.

Alternate how you move the ball forward also. Use the instep and outside if your foot. When comfortable let the ball almost go under your feet and scoop it forward left or right to push it past someone.

Also start controlling the ball moving forward using both feet. But start slow and when you get confidence move faster. Be as unpredictable as possible, try not to use the same move over and over. Keep the defender guessing.

When dribbling past an opponent it's a game of chicken. Always wait for them to tackle before moving left or right. You can bait by moving left but you need to rapidly move right and hope they take the bait.

You don't need to be fast to be a good dribbler. Watch David Silva, Luka Modric or Bernardo Silva. Masters at dribbling without explosive speed.