Dodging Confidence

[GBaschski]

Alright, I consider myself a pretty fast/quick midfielder, and when I'm practicing my dodges by myself I can pull them off pretty well...but whenever I get in the backyard and get someone (brother or friend) in front of me with a stick, trying to stop me, I start sucking at the dodge. I start losing my confidence and my form goes to hell.

Any advice on how to gain my confidence back?

[Captain Cool]

Visualize, it might sound weird, but it helps so much. Visualize doing perfect dodges, and you will do perfect dodges.

[xSURFERx]

when u do the doge, focous on ur form and everything, then when u burn them ull feel awesome and will want to do it agian

[crazylegs]

Alright, I consider myself a pretty fast/quick midfielder, and when I'm practicing my dodges by myself I can pull them off pretty well...but whenever I get in the backyard and get someone (brother or friend) in front of me with a stick, trying to stop me, I start sucking at the dodge. I start losing my confidence and my form goes to hell.



For one its because there is someone guarding you, the dman's job is to stop you and he's going to win some one v. one battles and you are too, but you can't win them all. You have to feel the pressure and go with what he gives you, try not even thinking about what dodge your going to use and just rely on your natural instincs. You'll have to use this a lot more especially when you move up to the next level, you don't have time to think, you just have to react. Try to really feel when your man is leaning a little bit, what side his pole is on, take notice if his feet get caught up or if he's over commiting to one side. Remember all you gotta do is beat the guy, it doesn't matter how you do it or what it looks like, be creative. Time your change of direction right and get him to trip over his own feet, you'll get your confidence back

[WHEELAX2]

you might be focusing too much on what the defender is doing.. when practicing, try to keep your head up and survey the field, even if there is no action in front of you.. try to focus your attention on something other than the defender...

[CoachK]

LaxMiddie32 is right on the bubble with 1 & 2. 3 is questionable, but a difference of opinion. I say be confident, but know your limitations.

Your dodges should not usually be planned to a T. If I want to get to an area, I think about setting the defender up to get into a position that allows me to get to that space. If I can get him to move right, I can roll or split back the other way, the move just comes once the defender is where you want him. I think of the dodge as a reaction to what the defender gives you. You just have to get him to the area you would like.

To build confidence I would actually try working slowly at first. Feel should be your goal, not a preplanned move. Everyone's best moves came from creativity spur of the moment. Start with the defender on your back and work to get to a cone 5/6 feet behind him. Don't just Charles Barkley the guy down to the cone, feel what he gives you, and blow by him. Then I'd do it with a small running start. Remember that a dodge changes direction. Very rarely does a dodge go in a straight line. Just try to get 1/2 step by and free your hands. You could be breaking off your origional line at nearly 80 degrees.

I hope that helps, keep us informed.

[craig21]

you probably have the confidence but you probably just think to much when dodging...when you dodge just do whatever comes to mind with no hesitation. If it doesnt work its all good just pop back out and give the ball up or come out of your dodge and try again. Most of the time the thing that comes to mind first works. Good Luck with your dodges!