A Ball Hog

When at youth soccer games, one of the main things I hear yelled from the sideline at the players is, “Pass it!” We LOVE when players pass the ball, and we should. Passing is a critical part of the game and it is necessary for every player to be able to pass with accuracy and the proper pace to teammates or space to keep possession and create scoring chances. One of the most beautiful parts of the game is a sophisticated build up of possession to create a goal. But… if from the youngest age groups kids are pushed to pass the ball each time it comes to them, when do the kids get the opportunity to learn how to dribble? When do they get to practice working their way out of pressure using their feet, penetrating with the ball between defenders, or taking a player on to go to goal? A player who tries to dribble more in a game is often referred to as a “ball hog” or scolded for trying to dribble (especially if possession is lost). In terms of development, I am a huge fan of the “ball hogs” of the younger age groups as those players have a much better chance, to not only become better passers of the ball, but to become those exciting players we love to watch create something out of nothing with the magic of their feet.

When a kid is being a “ball hog” on the soccer field, it is seen as a negative thing. From my perspective, I think it is a great thing. The player is showing confidence to keep the ball at his feet and move with it in a game situation. This confidence needs to not only be commended but it needs to be nurtured. Instead of telling the “ball hog” not to dribble and stifling his willingness to try, help the player become better at dribbling… recognizing space, keeping his head up, and utilizing teammates when he thinks he needs help.

Just telling a player to “stop dribbling” and “pass the ball” is not coaching. As this game requires players to be able to dribble the soccer ball with great control and speed, telling a player not to dribble is denying that player an opportunity to work on a vital aspect of the game. Furthermore, you are taking a required skill of the game and making it “wrong” in the player’s mind. If you continue to tell a player not to dribble the ball, it will eventually become something that should never be done, like it is breaking a rule of the game.

The first and most important thing a player needs to develop when they start playing soccer is a relationship and confidence with the ball. Without that, everything else becomes much harder to teach down the road. Think about it this way, when a child is 13 years old, do you think it would be harder to teach that player how to pass or teach that player to dribble? In reality, both are needed to be learned by that age, but the point is that one is much harder and takes much longer to develop than the other. I have always found it harder to convince a player to keep the ball than it is to convince a player to kick the ball away or pass it. This is why it is critical to not stop players who love to dribble from dribbling because maybe they do it more than you would prefer or cosmetically appealing to our adult vision of the game.

Am I saying kids should be discouraged to pass the ball? Absolutely not, that would be the same as asking a player not to dribble. It would stop them from learning a vital element of the game. The key is helping players understand how dribbling is part of the game, how it can create space to pass, how it pulls defenders out of position, how it is required when there are no passing options, or how it is needed to take space when given. In other words, the value of dribbling and what it can be done to make the game easier needs to be reinforced. Just as we always do for passing and moving.

Here is something to consider as well… those “ball hogs” tend to be those “ball hogs” later on in the game who are difference makers. They are the players who can create something out of nothing, create havoc for a team to try to stay organized defensively as the player moves the ball aggressively forward, and have those exceptional moments that we all watch on YouTube when we are suppose to be working. Those players still pass more than they dribble, but find the moments that they can unleash their ability on the ball that most other players lack. When the other players have no other choice but to sit back and look for a passing option, these players see other options and have the ability to capitalize on those hidden opportunities.

Finally, what do you players down when they do not have a passing option if you have screamed at them not to dribble? Yep, you guessed it… without a passing option, the next best thing, and the least likely action that will cause them to be criticized, is to “just kick” the ball forward or out of bounds. If your players have been told not to dribble, then when the game actually is demanding that they should dribble, they will have no idea what to do. You have not prepared them or taught them that aspect of the game. When teams are younger and less organized defensively, moderately good movement will provide passing options for the player on the ball. When teams are older and more organized defensively, they are quicker to shut down passing lanes and eliminate options which will require the player on the ball to create something individually at times to open passing lanes and penetrate space.

So what do you do with your “ball hog” on your team? First, do not tell them to stop dribbling. Second, help them learn how to utilize their desire to be on the ball in the game. Third, encourage more players to develop some of those “ball hog” qualities. Fourth, show the "ball hogs" the benefits of using the other skills they need to practice and learn to use in the game that compliment their desire to dribble.

A little bit of “ball hog” is a good thing to have in all of your players. You want all your players to want the ball and be able to keep the ball at their feet. It is much easier to help your kids learn how to find opportunities to pass more than it is to go back and try to get them to dribble more when they have been told for so long not to dribble.

Ball hog or exceptional?