Dribbling Inside from Wide Areas (Diagonal Dribbling)

The advantage of playing diagonally in general is that you change the area of play both vertically and horizontally which has a multitude of advantages. This ranges from diagonal passes being able to cut into the opponent’s shape (spaces inside the opponent’s defensive set up), how a player can receive a pass that’s played diagonally, how a player can create space through dropping in support diagonally or exploit space through making runs diagonally, as well as its effect on the defense and how they react. Here though we are going to focus specifically on the advantages of dribbling diagonally from wide areas into the middle of the field.

Why is it ideal to dribble inside diagonally? Firstly, this diagonal movement brings us in a path towards the opposition goal. Secondly, as we dribble inside this creates space back out wide that a pass back out to the wide channel can be playable and more advantageous. By dribbling inside it draws the opponent in which creates space for a player positioned out wide or moving out wide to receive. As well, when we dribble inside it creates a better passing angle for us to play to a player positioned in the wide area who can receive facing forward and have a positive first touch. Compared to possessing the ball near the sideline and playing a pass down the line, the player receiving will more likely be forced to receive the ball with his back facing goal. These types of passes can be more predictable and easier for the defense to press. Third, when we dribble inside from the wide areas, not only are we creating space out wide on the near side, but we are also creating closer connections with central players and connections with players positioned on the far side of the field that would not have been playable had the ball stayed on the wing. Dribbling diagonally inside can also have the effect of antagonizing the defense or defenders in the sense that they have to decide, do I step to pressure the ball and leave exploitable space in behind me or do I stay/drop and allow the ball carrier to progress forwards? Due to the nature of moving diagonally, this diagonal dribbling opens up more forward passing angles that are harder to block compared to vertical dribbling that is easier to close down. This is due in part to the closer connections now being made with the central player and players on the opposite side, and the movement pattern the defender needs to use as we travel with the ball across the space vertically and horizontally. It can be even more advantageous for a right footed player coming in from the left or a left footed player coming in from the right due to the protection of the ball by being able to keep your body between the ball and the defender. This dribbling can also cause confusion and miscommunication between the defensive players that can be taken advantage of by the ball carrier and the players moving off the ball.

Lastly, when being pressed from behind or chased from behind by a defender, dribbling diagonally (though this can be true in any location of the field not just dribbling diagonally from outside to inside) allows us to lose our marker by cutting in front of them. This forces the chasing defender to have to slow down and allows us to continue to move forward with the ball while they rely on another defender to step up and press. Or that chasing defender is forced to foul as the dribbling player cuts across him as to not allow the dribbling player to get away.

Due to the defense positioning or opposition players pressing angle and the space available however, as a fullback, winger, wide forward, or even a central midfielder rotating out wide or a center forward rotating out wide and receiving in those areas, at times, there is no other option but to dribble down the line in a purely vertical action. Space can be exploited in this manner given the situation however often times dribbling down the line can be a disadvantage for the ball carrier and the possession team and an advantage for the defending group. It can even be a strategy to force teams outside and force them to play down the line as this keeps them farther away from goal with a limitation of space as they are near the sideline. As well it is easier for the defense to shift as a collective out to the wide area as they look to trap the ball carrier out there. Ideally for the players listed above receiving in wide areas, the optimal option would be to dribble (or pass) inside, ideally diagonally, though depending on the defensive set up and the space available, maybe the only option is to dribble inside horizontally which can also have its advantages given the situation to exploit space, open gaps, relocate play, or create ways to penetrate forward.

Here an example: the right fullback on the ball comes inside and starts to dribble diagonally. This draws in two opposition central midfielders leaving space between the lines. Also, as we can see, the movement to dribble inside creates a connection between the center forward to play between lines, as well as a connection between the left 8 on the far side. Neither of which would have been available from the right wing. Also, we can see the potential for a connection with the far side left forward.

Compared to the above scenario where the fullback drove inside. Here he opts to take the dribbling path down the line. It’s easy to see how this limits both the space the ball carrier has as well as any playable passing options. For the defense it is much easier to deal with. The left center mid and the right winger can drop and block of the middle herding the ball carrying fullback towards the sideline. The right center back along with the right fullback can then stay with their marks to prevent passes into them and wait for the right timing to step in and press the ball carrier or any passes into nearby players.

8v8 Diagonality

In this 8v8 game we have the field split into several zones to promote playing diagonally. The wide zones used as reference for players receiving out there then look to dribble inside. The central zone being split into four squares further helps in referencing diagonal movements such as dribbling and diagonal passes. The corners of the field are also cut out to enhance even more of the idea of playing diagonally as we look to attack the opponent’s goal. The game starts out as a normal 8v8 game with a goal being one point, but we want to add incentives to the players for playing diagonally and get them looking and setting themselves up to play diagonally. Once the player receives in the wide zone and is able to dribble diagonally inside to the nearest central zone and a goal is scored its worth two points. If the receiving player in the wide area is able to dribble inside, into the nearest central zone, then plays a pass into the farthest central zone or can continue dribbling across the central zones and a goal is scored its worth three points. Coaching points on movement from inside to out from central players to create space in the middle for player out wide to dribble inside. The use of triggers for the players in the middle and on the far side to support and look to make runs in behind or find a gap to receive once the wide player dribbles inside.

KW

Written November 2021