my coach thinks i dribble too much and don't lift my head when i dribble or pass. how can i make better passes

Question

and lift my head when i dribble. (THIS IS FOR FOOTBALL/SOCCER)

Answer 1

- Dribbling too much may or may not be a problem.
- Not lifting your eyes when dribbling is a lot different from doing the same on passing.
- To improve your passing skill it is also another thing.

Starting with the dribbling issue: there are moments where your dribbling is a valuable option, while other times it is not needed at all (for example, dribbling in the defensive zone it is always a bad idea).
Dribbling is one of the important skills a player should have and it is useful in the one v. one situation in order to gain space or to gain the possibility of shooting on goal. Again, it requires a very high skill to properly dribble an opponent and you must be able to keep the ball under control, running and changing direction with quick moves and small ball touches.
Your eyes should be simultaneously on the ball and on the field around you, because the next move (most likely) should be a pass or shoot on goal, and you must be able to do that as soon as your dribble is completed, otherwise you will have (most likely) another opponent on you... and you will need to dribble again (and that is what your coach do not like)
So, dribbling is skill, visual ability, mental capability and quick decision making.
If you watch games from Mexican soccer... you will understand that too much dribbling will bring you no-were... unless you want to work in a circus.

Make better passing: this is related (in part) to your capability of making quick decision (therefore have always your eyes "scanning" the field around you).
When you perform a pass, most of the times you should know in advance what are your options and most of the time visual communication is vital for the success of the pass. Often verbal communication is required too.

In order to improve your "bad habit" on dribbling too much and with your eyes on the ball, you can easily use three cones (distance 1 yard each) and a target (anything that can be hit by the ball, initially two yards distance then increase the distance and the position).
Use that to dribble the cones with your head up and quickly get out of the cones and with your inside step try to get on target. Practice this day after day... until it will become natural for you to keep your eyes up and to dribble quickly and pass the ball.

In order to improve your passing skill, you just need a soccer ball. Passing skill implies receiving skill too.
Stand in front of a wall - garage wall is fine :) - and kick the ball towards the wall with your inside step (right foot first) and receive it back with the other foot. Start with two touches... then decrease to 1 touch. Also start from a far distance the first time (like 3-4 yards) and decrease the distance as soon as you get better, until you'll able to pass/receive from few inches (one touch).
You should do this every day, for at least half hour per day.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Hi, some will tell you to just look at the field and not the ball in order to improve your soccer ability; that is ridiculous. You need to look both, the secret is to look at the field even before you receive the ball; so, in that way you know where the other players are. Once you have the ball concentrate in having your head up but looking at he ball at the same time in short flashes. This way you will have more control. Now I understand that you dribble too much, soccer is a team sport; so I understand your coach. In order to help you with passes, try to practice with a couple of friend to pass the ball every two touches first, then every two touches and finally every one touch, or if you practice by your self try to hold the ball for no more than 5-6 seconds and the get rid of it pretending you are passing it to someone else.
I hope this help.

Answer 3

Learn to play possession. You should be able to hold on to the ball and loook fro your teammates to get into position. Dribbling can be a waste of time and energy. Especially if you are not looking up and are dribbling right into the path of more defenders. With practice and time, you will learn to see the field when you play. You should not only be able to dribble without looking at the ball, but also pass without looking at the player you are passing to. Players like Okocha and Ronaldinho actually look at one player and then pass to an entirely different player, just to fool the defence. This is what separates the great players from the good ones.

Answer 4

Practice passing the ball without looking at the ball. You have to be able to dribble without looking at the ball but at what is ahead of you.

Good luck. This is more individual work you have to do away from the team practice.

Answer 5

David Beckham, love him or loathe him, spent hours on the training ground at Carrington doing nothing but passing a ball, he used to put a basket on the penalty spot and from the wing attempt to get the ball in the basket. The simple answer is there is no substitute for practice.

Answer 6

Keep practicing and try to look towards who you're passing to.

Answer 7

Practice, practice, practice, the more you do, the higher the probability it will become a habit to you. Just keep telling yourself team player team player, Good luck and God bless

Answer 8

hi if u need something to help u not look down then we use these things called blinders they go under your eyes so u don't look at the ground!