James Wilson 
The Importance of Looking Up
Game Awareness: When you look up while dribbling, you gain a better understanding of what’s happening around you. You can see the positions of your teammates, the movements of the opponents, and the overall flow of the game. For example, you might notice a teammate making a run into space that you can exploit with a well – timed pass. This awareness is crucial for creating goal – scoring opportunities.
Decision – Making: Looking up enables you to make informed decisions. You can decide whether to continue dribbling, pass the ball, or take a shot. If you keep your head down and focus only on the ball, you may miss these opportunities. ByHow to Look up While Dribbling a Soccer Ball seeing the entire field, you can choose the best option based on the positions of the players and the space available.
Developing Peripheral Vision
Training Exercises: Peripheral vision is essential for looking up while dribbling. You can practice exercises to improve it. One simple exercise is to stand still and focus on a point straight ahead while trying to be aware of objects or movements on the sides. Another exercise is to dribble the ball in a small area with cones around you and try to sense their positions without directly looking at them.
Using Peripheral Vision During Dribbling: As you dribble, use your peripheral vision to get a sense of the players around you. For instance, you can feel the presence of an opponent approaching from the side without having to turn your head completely. This allows you to keep the ball under control while still having an idea of the situation near you.
Ball Control and Head Position
Soft Touches: Maintaining good ball control with soft touches is key. When you have better control of the ball, you can afford to look up more often. Use the inside and outside of your feet to make gentle, controlled touches. For example, if you’re dribbling with the inside of your foot, make sure the touch is light enough to keep the ball close but still allow you to lift your head slightly.
Head Stability: Keep your head as stable as possible. Avoid jerky movements that can disrupt your balance and vision. Instead of constantly bobbing your head up and down, try to find a comfortable position that allows you to see the field while still having a good view of the ball. A stable head position also helps in maintaining your focus on the game situation.
Body Posture and Balance
Low Center of Gravity: Bend your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity. This gives you better balance and stability while dribbling. When you have a stable base, you can look up without losing control of the ball. For example, a player with a low center of gravity can make quick changes in direction even when looking up, as they are less likely to be knocked off balance.
Shoulder Alignment: Keep your shoulders square and relaxed. Tense shoulders can affect your balance and make it harder to look up. When your shoulders are in the right position, you can move more freely with the ball and have a better view of the field. Proper shoulder alignment also helps in disguising your intentions from opponents.
Dribbling in Different Situations
Open Space Dribbling: When you have more space, it’s easier to look up. Take advantage of these situations to scan the field. You can dribble with longer strides and still have time to assess the positions of your teammates. However, don’t become complacent. Keep an eye on any opponents who may be closing in on you.
Tight Space Dribbling: In tight spaces, such as when you’re surrounded by opponents, looking up becomes more challenging. In these situations, use quick, short touches to keep the ball close. You may need to rely more on your peripheral vision. Try to create small gaps by using feints or changes in direction to get a better view of the field.
Practice Drills for Looking Up
One – on – One with a Look – Up Requirement: Set up a one – on – one drill with a teammate. The goal is to dribble past your teammate while looking up at least three times during the attempt. This forces you to balance ball control and awareness. You can start with a larger space and gradually make it smaller to increase the difficulty.
Passing and Dribbling Combos: In this drill, dribble the ball for a short distance, then look up and make a pass to a teammate. Immediately receive the ball back and continue dribbling. Repeat this process. This drill helps you get used to looking up during dribbling to find passing options and then quickly resume control of the ball.