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Improving your dribbling isn't about pulling off fancy tricks just for the sake of it. It’s more about keeping the ball close enough so you can quickly change direction, protect the ball from opponents, or find a new space to move into. Honestly, getting better at dribbling takes intentional practice — focusing on the right technique and honestly reviewing what happens during games. Don’t forget, tiny details really matter — things like the angle of your ankle, how softly you touch the ball, or the moment you lift your head up to scan the field.

Start with the basics first. Make sure to use both feet, vary your speed, and practice guiding the ball through cones without always staring down at it. Then, add some real pressure — have a teammate close you down, or practice turning away from an imaginary defender. Keep your practice sessions short enough so you don’t lose control, and pick one clear goal, like successfully turning with your weaker foot. It’s simple, but super effective. Just because a drill looks smooth when you do it alone doesn’t mean it’ll work in a real game, so don’t expect perfection right away. Progress never really follows a straight line—that’s just part of the process. Pay attention to what caused you to lose control rather than rushing to repeat the same mistake full-speed.

In this guide, I’m sharing practical drills, tips about how to hold body position, make good decisions, and avoid habits that might hold you back. No single routine is a perfect fit for everyone. Pick exercises that match your skill level, increase the difficulty little by little, and judge your progress not just by flashy moves but by your ability to do them under pressure. That’s really the key.

How to Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills?
Table of Contents [Hide]
1 Define Dribbling and Opta’s Successful Take-On Metric
2 Measure Your Baseline in Successful Take-Ons per 90 Minutes
3 Build Close Control with Cone Drills and Both-Foot Repetitions
4 Develop 1v1 Skills Through Small-Sided, Opposed Practice
5 Train Changes of Pace and Direction Under Match Pressure
6 Use Scanning and Decision-Making Before Attempting a Take-On
7 Compare Your Progress with Mbappé’s 25 Successful Dribbles at Qatar 2022
8 Releasable Uncoated Stainless Steel Cable Ties: Insights from Grand View Research’s Cable Ties Market Report

Define Dribbling and Opta’s Successful Take-On Metric

Dribbling means moving with the ball under control, using touches to change direction, protect possession, or pass an opponent. A take-on is narrower: it records a direct attempt to beat a defender. In Opta’s event definition, a successful take-on means the attacker gets past the opponent and keeps the ball. A forward carry into open space is not automatically a take-on.

That distinction matters when reviewing match data. Opta’s Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament figures credited Lionel Messi with 15 successful dribbles. The number describes completed one-on-one actions, not every close touch or run with the ball. Compare it with attempts, minutes played, and match context; totals alone can flatter a player who had more opportunities. Definitions and competition datasets may differ, so check the source before comparing figures.

For practice, mark a narrow channel with cones and approach a partner at walking pace. Use one clear feint, push the ball beyond the defender, then accelerate for three steps. Count only attempts where you retain control beyond the opponent. Small detail: keep your head up. I still rush the exit touch sometimes; the move looks clean, but the ball runs too far. Review successful attempts alongside losses, and note which foot, angle, and touch gave you space.

Measure Your Baseline in Successful Take-Ons per 90 Minutes

A useful dribbling baseline is successful take-ons per 90 minutes, not your season total. The Premier League’s 2023/24 player statistics list Jeremy Doku with 52 successful dribbles. That total shows volume, but playing time changes the comparison. Calculate your rate as successful take-ons ÷ minutes played × 90. Keep the same data provider throughout: providers may define a completed take-on differently.

Track at least five to eight competitive matches, recording minutes, attempts, completions, and position. A winger facing a settled defence has different chances from a substitute entering late against tired legs. Note the match context, too: score, opponent pressure, and whether you received the ball facing forward. Small details matter. One successful burst can distort a short sample, so avoid treating a single match as your true level.

Use the baseline to choose one measurable practice goal, such as improving your completion rate without reducing attempts. Review video alongside the numbers: did your first touch create space, or did you dribble into traffic? A spreadsheet can be messy at first. Keep the original figures anyway; correcting them later is better than quietly changing the record. Recheck your rate after another block of matches, using the same definitions and similar playing conditions.

Build Close Control with Cone Drills and Both-Foot Repetitions

Place four cones one metre apart and dribble through them with small touches. Keep the ball within one step, then repeat using only your weaker foot. Start slowly; speed without control just creates wider turns. Use the inside and outside of each foot, and lift your eyes between cones to practise checking the space ahead. FIFA’s Qatar 2022 World Cup report covered 64 matches and recorded 172 goals. That tournament statistic does not show that cone drills produce goals. It does underline why close control matters only when it transfers into match situations.

After each clean run, add a change of direction at the final cone, then accelerate for five metres. Complete three to five repetitions per foot, resting briefly when your touch becomes sloppy. Count clean runs, not just total runs; quality is easier to track. A simple log can show whether weaker-foot control is improving over several weeks. One limitation is obvious: cones stay still, while defenders do not. Ask a partner to call a direction or apply light pressure once the basic pattern feels steady. If your head stays down, slow the drill again. That can feel frustrating, but rushing often hides the very weakness you are trying to improve.

Develop 1v1 Skills Through Small-Sided, Opposed Practice

How to Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills?

Develop 1v1 Skills Through Small-Sided, Opposed Practice

Dribbling improves when players must read a real defender, not just weave around cones. Set up a small 1v1 channel with a clear end line and enough space to change direction. The attacker scores by dribbling across the line; the defender wins possession or forces the attacker out. Keep rounds brief, then switch roles. Real pressure changes everything.

Tips: Start with a five-second head start for the attacker, then remove it as confidence grows. Use small touches near the defender, and push the ball farther into open space. Keep your eyes up. Don’t sprint every time. A slow approach can draw a defender forward, creating room for a sharp cut.

After each round, ask one specific question: “What did the defender’s feet show you?” Encourage players to try a feint, shoulder drop, or sudden change of pace, then notice what worked. Rotate opponents so players face different habits and body shapes. If the attacker keeps losing the ball, widen the channel slightly or shorten the round. I’d still review the setup after a few sessions; one size rarely suits every group.

Train Changes of Pace and Direction Under Match Pressure

A useful dribbling session should include more than cones in an empty space. Ask a teammate to defend you in a narrow channel, about ten metres long. Start slowly, then accelerate for three or four steps when the defender shifts their weight. Use the outside of your foot to push the ball into space, keeping it close enough for your next touch. Then change direction with a sharp cut, not a wide turn. That pause matters. It gives you a moment to read the defender instead of repeating a move by habit.

Add a simple match rule: you have five seconds to beat the defender or pass to a teammate waiting near the end of the channel. This creates pressure without making every attempt a sprint. Switch roles often, and notice which pace changes actually create room. If you always cut to your stronger side, the defender will learn that pattern. I still find this hard to correct when I’m tired. Keep the rounds short, rest, and repeat on both sides. A few clumsy attempts are useful feedback; they show where your touch gets too far ahead of your decision. Afterward, try the same movement in a small-sided game, where the space and timing feel less predictable.

Use Scanning and Decision-Making Before Attempting a Take-On

Good dribbling often begins before the ball reaches your feet. Scan early. As a pass travels, glance over each shoulder and note the nearest defender, open space, and a teammate’s position. Keep the checks brief; staring around can leave the ball bouncing away from you. Try to build a simple picture: Is the defender close enough to tackle, or are they still moving across?

Before attempting a take-on, decide what you want the move to achieve. If a defender is isolated and there is space behind them, a change of direction or a quick burst may create a useful opening. If another defender is covering, holding the ball or passing may be the better choice. That is not hesitation. It is choosing the risk. Take a touch that keeps the ball within playing distance, then accelerate when the defender shifts their weight.

A useful practice drill is to ask a partner to pass you the ball while another player approaches from different angles. Before receiving, scan and call out the defender’s position; then choose to dribble, pass, or shield. Keep the pace controlled at first. I still find that a rushed glance can miss a teammate arriving behind me, so review what you saw after each repetition. Try changing the starting angle, too.

How to Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills? — Use Scanning and Decision-Making Before Attempting a Take-On

Practice Activity What to Scan Decision Before the Take-On Useful Measure Example Practice Target
Shoulder-check warm-up with a partner Check over a shoulder before the ball arrives; locate the defender and an available teammate. Decide whether to turn, shield the ball, or play a first-time pass. Number of purposeful scans before receiving the ball. Complete 8–10 repetitions on each side while keeping the ball under control.
1v1 approach from a controlled distance Notice the defender’s distance, body angle, balance, and the space behind them. Attack the space the defender leaves open; change direction if that space closes. Successful attempts that beat the defender or create a clear passing lane. Record outcomes across 10 attempts and note which approach worked best.
Colour- or number-cue dribbling Look up between touches to identify a coach’s cue, a target gate, or a moving defender. Choose a route or action based on the cue rather than deciding in advance. Correct decisions made while maintaining control of the ball. Complete 12 decisions; review both decision accuracy and close control.
1v1 with a support player Check the defender, the support player, and the space toward goal before engaging. Take on the defender when there is a useful route; pass if the defender blocks the lane. Appropriate choices to dribble, pass, or protect possession. Play 3 rounds of 2 minutes and review a few decisions after each round.
Small-sided game with a scanning focus Scan before receiving and again as the play changes; track nearby pressure and open space. Choose to turn, carry the ball, take on an opponent, or release a pass according to pressure. Possession retained after a dribble attempt and decisions that advance play. After the game, review 5 receiving situations and identify one better option where relevant.
Video or coach-led reflection Review what was visible before the player received or carried the ball. Compare the chosen action with another realistic option, without judging the outcome alone. Clear examples of a scan, the information noticed, and the resulting choice. Discuss 3 moments: one effective take-on, one pass, and one decision to keep possession.

Note: The practice targets are example tracking goals, not universal performance standards. Adjust them to the player’s age, experience, position, and training level.

Compare Your Progress with Mbappé’s 25 Successful Dribbles at Qatar 2022

Mbappé completed 25 successful dribbles at Qatar 2022, a striking benchmark for any player learning to beat opponents. It is not a fair match-by-match target, though. His role, minutes, teammates, and opponents shaped that total. Use the number as inspiration, then track your own attempts in training and games.

Set up five cones, spaced about a metre apart, and weave through them using both feet. Keep the ball close enough to change direction quickly. Then add a passive defender, followed by a live one. Count a dribble as successful only when you retain possession and move past the defender. Record attempts, successes, and which foot you used. Small details matter. A notebook can reveal that your weaker foot loses the ball more often, even when a drill feels smooth. Review the numbers weekly, but do not chase a higher total by forcing risky moves. Some sessions will be messy. That is useful feedback, not failure. Notice when a simple pass would have been smarter, too.

Improve Your Soccer Dribbling: Track Your Progress Against Mbappé’s 25 Successful Dribbles at Qatar 2022

Enter the number of successful dribbles you complete in one practice session. The tournament total is a reference point, not a like-for-like comparison with a single training session.

How to use it: Count a dribble as successful when you keep control while moving past an opponent. Record your result in each session and aim to improve your own score over time.

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FAQS

Why is 1v1 practice better than weaving around cones alone?

A real defender makes you read body position and react. Cones cannot change direction or pressure your touch.

How should I set up a basic 1v1 drill?

Mark a narrow channel with an end line. The attacker scores by dribbling across it; the defender tries to win the ball or force them out.

How can beginners make the drill easier?

Give the attacker a five-second head start. Widen the channel or shorten each round if they keep losing possession.

When should I change pace?

Approach slowly, then accelerate for three or four steps when the defender shifts their weight. A quick burst can create space.

How can I improve my changes of direction?

Push the ball into open space with the outside of your foot, then make a sharp cut. Avoid turning too widely.

What rules can add match-like pressure?

Set a five-second limit to beat the defender or pass to a teammate near the channel’s end. Keep rounds brief.

How should I track my progress?

Record attempts, successful dribbles, and which foot you used. Review the notes weekly; some sessions will look messy.

Should I always try to dribble past an opponent?

No. Sometimes a simple pass is smarter than forcing a risky move. I still forget this when tired.

Conclusion

Improving soccer dribbling starts with understanding what a successful take-on means: beating an opponent while keeping possession. Track your successful take-ons per 90 minutes to establish a baseline, then review your performance regularly. For close control, practice weaving through cones with both feet, varying the distance and using different parts of each foot. These repetitions can build confidence, but they should support—not replace—practice against real defenders.

Develop your one-on-one ability through small-sided games and opposed drills, where you must choose when to accelerate, change direction, or protect the ball. Scan before receiving possession so you can spot space and decide whether a take-on is worthwhile. Compare your progress with Kylian Mbappé’s 25 successful dribbles at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, treating the figure as inspiration rather than an expectation. Consistent practice, thoughtful decisions, and match-pressure training are the foundations of Ss Dribbling and more effective play.

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Aria

Aria is a dedicated marketing professional at Daren Technology (Lishui) Co., Ltd., where she leverages her expertise to drive brand awareness and product promotion. With a deep understanding of the company’s innovative electronics and technology solutions, she consistently crafts insightful blog......
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