Q&A for How to Develop Good Soccer Dribbling Skills

At least one hour a day, that should include dribbling, shooting, passing, muddling and ball control touches.

Juggling may not be something you use in a match but it is probably one of the easiest ways to improve ball control and touch. Try to keep the ball at a low height and try alternating between your dominant foot and weaker. Your juggling will improve in time. The drills here are also helpful but do try both.

Yes, because you need to be able to make your way up the pitch in transition quickly and have the ball close to you to beat other players. Reflexes are needed for all positions.

You should keep your head up because you'll be able to see defenders, teammates, and the field.

It really depends on your ability, shot power, and the situation. If you have great shot power, have the technique and finesse to score, and have a clear shot, go for it! If not, try to continue passing back and forth with your teammates until someone has the opportunity to shoot.

Try your dribbling during a match. If you can dribble past defenders without really looking at the ball, you will know that you have gotten better.

If you're about to make a dribble, then yes. Keeping your knees bent makes you more maneuverable and flexible, but keeping them straight makes you look rigid and predictable.

This goes along with keeping the ball in your peripheral vision. While dribbling, you need to constantly scan the field to create accurate passes, or protect the ball from incoming defenders. If you get the act of scanning down, passing will become much easier.

Be very ready to dive for the ball. Get yourself riled up so you feel fierce inside. You can't have hesitation. Go with that gut instinct we all have. Bend your knees and just be ready to go for it! See the article How to Be an All Star Goal Keeper for more advice.

Well, this may not be what you want to hear, but instead of stabbing for the ball, contain the player. If you're able to stay with the player, or force the player outside, that player will either pass backwards to a teammate, or make a bad touch, giving you the perfect opportunity to take the ball away.

You will always make mistakes but try to keep the ball where you can see it and so as not to lose control.

Practice gentle touches with the top of your feet so you don't hit the ball too far from your body. Learn to make quick directional changes as well, which can help you keep the ball from rolling away.

Start with one trick first, then practice it repeatedly. Once you have mastered it to your satisfaction, move on to others.

Yes, it is essential to be able to bring the ball out from the back and build the attack, Especially from a counterattack. The farther you can take it up the pitch will pull defenders away from your winger or someone in the middle that leave you with great scoring potential.

Practice a lot with the ball, watch the greats and work with an experienced coach.

No. You actually want to do the exact opposite. You need to see what's going on around you in order to avoid your opponent and pass accurately in a game.

It's all about practice and hard work. After you have perfected these techniques one by one, you don't have to remember anything, it will become habit and you'll just do the skills naturally.

That's not really possible, you just need to keep practicing until you can look at the ball only when touching it, then quickly look back in front of you. It takes quick reflexes.

Know how to curve the ball and know when to run to create space in the pitch. Know how to press other players and be confident when shooting. You need to have good dribbling, good pace, and have good communication with your teammates.

Use your body to protect the ball so as can't be stolen.

Go outside and practice dribbling around your yard, lifting your head occasionally. Increase the amount of times you are looking up until you don't need to look down anymore.

Practice dribbling at your house or in an open space. Work on running first, then start dribbling with the ball. It takes time.

You should look at their legs first, then their hips. The direction their legs point, and consequently their hips, will give you an idea of which direction they're planning to go.

If someone is able to cross the ball in the air, follow the ball with your eyes and get your body behind it. Head the ball with the middle of your forehead, right between your eyes or else it will hurt. As the ball comes towards you, watch it as it comes towards your head, then snap your head at the ball, aiming towards the goal (or at an angle towards it if the ball is coming from the side, aiming straight at the goal then will more likely cause you to miss the ball).

if the defender is pushing you from behind then come to a stop and they will simply run past you, then you can continue to dribble.

Practice, even if that means spending an hour just dribbling around your backyard.

Don't wait for his move, do a body balance or any different trick to feint and get past him.

Improve your technique. Work on dribbling, ball control, heading, footwork, etc. If you have a coach, ask them for tips that are specific to your skill level.

Peripheral vision refers to your entire field of view outside your main focus. You always want to keep the ball where you can see it; however, you do not want to be looking down at the ball directly, you want to keep you head up and still be able to see the ball at your feet at the edge of your vision. This also includes your ability to see defenders and teammates without having to look directly at them.