What is the primary purpose of dribbling in soccer?

The primary purpose of dribbling in soccer is to move the ball down the field. Dribbling allows a player to control the ball while advancing it toward the opponent's goal, enabling them to navigate through defenders and create opportunities for themselves or their teammates. Effective dribbling combines speed, agility, and ball control, allowing players to change direction quickly and evade tackles.

While maintaining possession and passing are important skills in soccer, they are secondary to the fundamental objective of using dribbling to advance the ball effectively. Dribbling is typically the first step in an attacking play, as it enables players to penetrate defenses and create space for shots at goal or to set up teammates for scoring opportunities.