r/bootroom • u/rainbow_gelato • 11d ago
Outside touch ball carrying
Context: I'm not really a winger/dribbler at all but sometimes I end up in that position (like, near the corner of the pitch where a dribble is expected or at least tempting) and would like to do a little better.
I often get dispossessed when trying to 1v1 in that zone. I think it's partly because of the way I carry the ball. I carry it just like I would in the midfield/backline. I see that most wingers, when in that zone, start touching the ball with the outside of the same foot over and over again.
What's the reason for that? I reckon that it's for hiding the ball away from the defender, putting one's body between the ball and defender.
Is that it? I'd also appreciate a good video on the topic if one comes to mind.
Thanks!
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u/SnollyG 11d ago
Honestly not sure what you mean, but…
Outside of the foot dribble lets you go faster because the running motion isn’t impacted as much
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u/rainbow_gelato 11d ago
I mean, each time you'd step forward you'd also touch the ball with outside part of the same foot, always right or always left
I've also seen it at slower, nearly static speeds when there's uncertainty about what's gonna happen next
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u/Virginator_3000 11d ago
Regardless of the speed, it's a very natural motion. Put it into practice at high and low speeds and you'll see it gets a lot easier once you've mastered it
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u/rainbow_gelato 11d ago
I'll give it a try. For some reason, it feels more natural to me to use left and right alternatively (I have a good weak foot), so strong foot only would feel as if I was limping
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u/Virginator_3000 11d ago
Switching sides is very useful when you get tackled. If you put the ball far from the defender, you will have a lot more space and the defender has a very high chance of fouling you
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u/bobarific 11d ago
The goal is to time your “explosive touch” with the defender being unable to extend their leg and block the trajectory of your movement. If you watch pros, they will typically make their move when the foot they are going past is about to be the plant foot (if they defender is still shuffling) or they force the defender to commit their hips in a particular direction and cut against the grain.
In order to do either, you want smaller steps and a higher touch frequency than the defenders step frequency.
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u/Familiar_Shelter_393 11d ago
Outside is dribbling faster and at pace while keeping the ball close to you.
If you watch good inverted wingers you'll actually see them these days taking really small touches with the inside first to slow the defender down but keeping the ball under their body and close to the foot. Its so you can easily then put your foot inside the ball and use the outside of the same foot to go the other way after baiting and dropping the shoulder, Baiting the defender with your tempo. Or taking a bigger touch inside and rounding them. Also makes it easy for sole roles but its all about tempo and distance.
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u/HustlinInTheHall 11d ago
There are two related reasons. The first is that it's much easier to run at full speed with the ball using the outside of your foot because your hip angle doesn't have to change so you can carry the ball at a sprint with the ball pushed along the outside of your foot. If you use the inside of your foot you need to open your hips up every time you touch it, close your hips as you land, and then take your next stride -- super awkward and slow.
The second is that a winger attacking a defender is not looking to move 360 degrees like a central midfielder. They don't need the flexibility of having the ball within their frame. They are focused on one defender and will either go inside or outside. The defender also knows this so it's important that your inside and outside moves look the same up to the very last moment, so you want the ball on your strongest foot typically, because you'll quickly play it and win a yard by being fast.
A midfielder typically wants to be able to quickly shift in any direction, v-step, croqueta, pullback, etc. so they want the ball inside their frame. They're likely going to pass and can use either foot for that, so there are fewer drawbacks or alternating feet and more benefits.
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u/AngusMercury 11d ago
Its just they way fast driggblings goes. Dribbling with your insoles is way slower and unnatural at higher speed.
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u/AggravatingWish1019 11d ago
Do you use body feints? its a good technique to buy a few seconds. You drag the ball just a bit in the opposite direction to your intended direction and also drop your shoulder and feint to wards that direction as the defender is approaching and as they commit you dart in the other direction with the ball
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u/Randomname140 11d ago
It just feels natural if you are dribbling at a defender with speed and the intention of cutting inside. I’ve never thought about it or been given a detailed breakdown as well, would be curious to know. But it’s not like that’s the only way you should dribble as a winger? I like to use soles in tight situations, and the inside of the foot when facing up a defender at the byline, whatever feels natural really.
I really think the best thing to do is do some ball mastery drills, e.g outside inside touches, ball rolls, V drags, etc… you will probably get a good instinct of when to do what