Skill
Dribbling
The skill of moving with the ball under close control to beat opponents or keep possession.
Skill
Overview
Dribbling is controlling the ball while moving — with the feet in football, or by bouncing it in basketball. It lets a player carry the ball forward, keep it away from defenders and create space to pass or shoot.
Good dribbling combines close control, a change of pace and a change of direction. The goal is not tricks for their own sake but keeping the ball useful while advancing.
Key points
- Keeping the ball close reduces the chance of a defender stealing it.
- A change of pace or direction is what actually beats an opponent.
- In basketball the dribble must continue for a player to move with the ball legally.
- Keeping your head up while dribbling lets you spot passes and openings.
- Using the body to shield the ball protects possession under pressure.
Where it’s used
Sports that use dribbling:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Team SportsBeginner friendly
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Team SportsBeginner friendly
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
Team SportsBeginner friendly
Related skills
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Follow the threads that connect Dribbling to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Movement patterns
- AccelerationThe athletic pattern of building speed from a standing or slow start by driving large horizontal forces into the ground to project the body forward.
- Change of DirectionA planned redirection of the body from one movement vector to another, requiring an athlete to decelerate existing momentum and reaccelerate along a new line between two known points.
- Crossover StepA lateral or diagonal travelling step in which one leg crosses over the other with accompanying hip and trunk rotation, trading a stable base for greater reach and speed.
- CutA sharp, frequently reactive plant-and-redirect performed in a single decisive foot contact to evade an opponent or abruptly alter a line of travel.
- KickA ballistic single-support leg swing that whips force from the plant foot through the hip and knee to strike or propel a ball or target with the foot, distinct from the weight-bearing steps of locomotion.
Techniques
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
Positions
- WingerA winger is an attacking player who operates in the wide areas of the pitch, using pace and dribbling to beat defenders and create chances.
- Point guardThe point guard is basketball’s primary ball-handler and playmaker, running the offence and setting up teammates to score.
- Shooting guardThe shooting guard is a perimeter player whose main role is to score, especially from mid-range and beyond the three-point line.
- Small forwardThe small forward is a versatile wing player in basketball who can score inside and outside while also defending multiple positions.
- Centre-backA centre-back is a central defender in football whose main job is to stop opposing attackers and clear the ball from dangerous areas.
Learning paths
- Learn FootballA structured, educational learning path for football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn BasketballA structured, educational learning path for basketball — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn FutsalA structured, educational learning path for futsal — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn American FootballA structured, educational learning path for american football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
Skills Academy
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.
- Locomotor skillsMoving the body efficiently — running, sprinting, changing pace and getting into position.
- Foundational skillsThe base skills almost every sport rests on — move, balance and control before anything else.
Beginner guides
- Your first football sessionA warm, practical picture of what actually happens when you turn up to your very first football session — how it runs, what surprises beginners, and how to enjoy it without any pressure.
- Your first basketball sessionA first basketball session is a friendly, fast-moving introduction to handling the ball, moving your feet and sharing simple play with others — no experience or prior skill needed.