Explaining Messi's dribbling ability, part 3: Change of speed, on-ball technique, & mental calm

Explaining Lionel Messi's dribbling ability, part 3: Change of speed, on-ball technique, & mental calm
Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT breaks down Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi's incredible dribbling ability & technique in a three part series. In part three, he details Messi’s change of speed ability, on-ball technique, and mental calm.
Here’s a table of contents, header:
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:44 Change of speed (ready state; short strides)
- 3:19 On-ball technique
- 8:25 Mental calm
- 9:54 Peak Messi
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on KZbin so sound isn't required.
For reference, I’m a DPT (Doctor of Physio) and youth football (soccer) coach well-versed in sports science and biomechanics, and owner of 3CB Performance - online health content, telehealth services and sports rehab & performance clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA.
Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media:
Website: www.3cbperformance.com/
Twitter: / 3cbperformance
Instagram: / 3cbperformance

[@3cbperformance]

If you appreciate the channel, please support via subs, likes, comments, and shares. All questions and your time spent watching are always appreciated. Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media: Website: www.3cbperformance.com/ Twitter: twitter.com/3cbPerformance Instagram: instagram.com/3cbperformance/

[@bflehrer]

Dr. Raj, your videos are awesome. One thing about Messi’s dribbling is understanding how far ahead he taps it or how close he keeps it tethered to his toes - how does he know if he can push it 10 m ahead without an oncoming defender getting to it first before Messi gets his chance at a second touch?

[@ashashukla3891]

I really do

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@bflehrer yes ,great question mine question is also same

[@teletubbypo318]

Just watched all three videos. This is actually supernatural how messi does this completely subconsciously. He’s the goat 🐐

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers mate

[@oj818]

Practise , practise and we all can But it takes years of consistency with at least 3 hours practice every single day so only few players like messi get on that level

[@xcixneptune99]

Messi is the perfect football playing machine.Simply out of this world.Goat for a reason

[@3cbperformance]

he's incredible

[@peoriaos6627]

I would definitely love to see more of these videos about Messi.

[@3cbperformance]

Planning on making them when I have time; they take a considerable amount of effort

[@vicity4585]

Finally!!!. Waited so long for this video.

[@3cbperformance]

Vincent Vicity thanks for watching

[@DJSaez-ll8or]

Great series! Thanks for this.

[@pr-ji1ni]

Wow, well done on these videos! They are the best analysis of Messi's abilities I've seen. I hope once Messi retires he gets to watch these videos, because I'm sure he must wander himself how he does what he does.

[@fellipeeloi7221]

What a great series... thanks a lot.

[@juneabbott6805]

Far and away the BEST breakdown and analysis I’ve had the privilege of watching. Brilliant. 🎉

[@faith-bl6in]

Been writing notes ! Thank you for this! Keep up the good work, peace be with you !❤️

[@3cbperformance]

faith Thanks mate

[@DiegoMartinez-pd7yh]

Great video! Good effort was put into it as well. I look forward to find other videos like this. 👍👍👍🐐

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers mate

[@zackwhite1063]

This really helped me thxx

[@aaqib1753]

great work you really nailed these three videos, excellent information. Keep it up 👍👍

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@daboiah189]

Amazing video series. Loved it.

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@Aero10]

Was eager to see this one , what a exceptional video once again , keep up the great work bro 👊

[@3cbperformance]

Aero thanks mate. Appreciate it

[@Xavier-vu4yp]

@AERO 😂😂😂

[@ogxc]

absolutely amazing, thank you

[@3cbperformance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vinsletcvincent8258]

Man you guys who made all these three vids are legends yourselves 🔥

[@3cbperformance]

Thank you mate

[@priyanshrana3803]

I've seen many tactical analysis on players but you are the only one to show other aspects than technical side including both mental and physical reaction 👍👍

[@3cbperformance]

Priyansh Rana I think it’s critical and often overlooked. Trying to add another layer of depth

[@paulsingirok4600]

thanks so much bro

[@3cbperformance]

Paul Singirok you’re welcome mate

[@coreyzamprogno5510]

Fantasic breakdowns

[@3cbperformance]

thanks mate

[@bdub-er5090]

BRO!!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE !!!! This is great indepth clear analysis. I hope and pray you extend to other soccer athletes with different dribbling styles depending on their anatomy--for example, taller slender players employ different, yet effective methods than Messi (Zidane, Tierry Henry, Kano Nwankwo, Flo..). Also, I hope you eventually extend to the other basics and varied styles in shooting power and long ball passes. Those tend to be very technical and varied especially with lace power shots, instep power shots and the hips, knee, torso engagement etc. Doing those wrong or having bad physiological habits, while moving in varied speeds, can cause serious debilitating limb/hip injury for everyone, even the pros. Your breakdown would be valuable. I can't wait for you to expand but still go super indepth. My man, you break it down scientifically very well. WOW AGAIN!

[@3cbperformance]

B Dub-er I’ll definitely be expanding into other players’ technique and playing styles. I appreciate you taking the time to watch

[@aswinramesh9375]

i don't completely accept the fact that Zidane's technique was better because he had lesser balance with the ball while dribbling unlike Messi.

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@3cbperformance waiting for it

[@kwakumadridista1916]

I love this comment, I'm also a huge fan of tall slender players who are agile, & greater dribblers - wavy with the ball You mention Nwankwo Kanu? What are your Thoughts on him? Thoughts on the mechanics of tall dribblers? Any other examples of class taller dribblers? Whose "Flo" btw?

[@abhinav7046]

you are awesome sir.keep going

[@3cbperformance]

Thank you, I will

[@anthonyc7279]

That's crazy how at 8:41 as you pointed out he is literally completely surrounded by the entire opposing team.

[@hassennando462]

This is awesome skillful player ♥️💓💓💓

[@staunchstud]

Great video! Extremely well researched and prepared. I love watching your videos. Looking forward to Vini jr videos, curious to know how good he is technically compared to the GOAT

[@tamambuldum]

Nice work

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@UGBIPrasanth]

Nice one

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks for watching

[@saraberisha6773]

Very good videos, thank you

[@3cbperformance]

cheers

[@lomar0058]

This is truly brilliant analysis

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@hc9031]

Great work mate.♥️ Btw messi is superhuman 😱

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks bruv

[@yaseensuniverse139]

i like his ball chops

[@Unknown-mc2gs]

Just wow

[@3cbperformance]

cheers

[@strongman744]

It would be grate if you could show the workout for that whole staff.. Kind Regards and keep up this great work

[@zezo7359]

Hey man can you please do an analysis on how Messi keeps the ball real close please

[@crgo1008]

I cant do much more to appreciate this excellent 3 part analysis of messi's magical dribbling than a like and a subscribe, thanks for this man really great job. You should try doing a similar video on his goalscoring abilities and how he can score so many goals so consistently

[@3cbperformance]

crgo 100 I’ve been taking a look at that. Will try to get one out

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@3cbperformance waiting for it

[@olatoyesegun7823]

excellent messi

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks

[@davidrichardson6128]

Nice video

[@3cbperformance]

thanks

[@twoeyedbob]

Really interesting video and stands true today👍 Although “long passes” may be worthy of investigation Excellent 😁

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers

[@kevinz9434]

Wow just wow, how does he do all of this

[@bertrandl.9154]

Briiliant video

[@3cbperformance]

bertrand L. Thank you

[@numairahmad7326]

Would love to know on how to work on these anyway great video mate

[@thilinadias5559]

put videos on how to train like messi bro Already subscribed ❤️

[@3cbperformance]

I'm going to do basic videos on certain aspects of that training; the detailed aspects come during 1v1 training sessions

[@alldaygamer2343]

Watching this before a match hopefully works

[@Alzxx77]

The straddle is a great way too incorporate skills into your game it allows you to slow down for a split second analyse the opposing player and space to go into while allowing you to easily do shoulder drops and feints

[@3cbperformance]

Nailed it. That extra split second to assess

[@muhammademraanseo]

BRO I WANT U TO MAKE A VIDEO ON EXPLAINING EVERY DETAIL OF MESSI DRIBBLING ( AS I ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND A GREAT COACH FOLLOWING U A LOT OF TIME AGO AND UR EVERY VIDEO IS WORTH TO WATCH). so I want u to make a video on his every ability ( change of pace and changing direction at such pace, acceleration with ball , how he cuts it, which direction does he go and how his every dribble is so successful.etc ) I hope ur reply me 💕 💕😘. Waiting for it 🙂

[@bassamnazar4792]

could u pls do a video on takefuso kubo ?

[@badsha5448]

I'm really enjoying this video 💕💕😍😍😘I'm sorry bro whatever u said all are gone bouncer I didn't understand math but I'm really enjoying slow motion dribbling by my king 🥰🥰

[@danishahamad5324]

Watched all 3 vids. That was awesome. He is an Alien! 🤷🏻‍♂️ or some relative to Feline species! 🐈

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks for watching mate; arguably the best sportsmen of all time. There are more Messi videos as well if you’re interested

[@doctorhuangdirector35]

Hi Raj, I have design some trainning on football base on your research, it works great! Some of our young teamate handle the ball much more better!

[@3cbperformance]

Glad to hear that. Would love to hear more about what you’re doing

[@doctorhuangdirector35]

@@3cbperformance The training is let the dribbler focus on their hips rather than the whole body or their head, imagine they are driving a plane from the hip through plates. The defender push their upper body or any attack to unbalance them. The training result is that the kids upper body become flexible then not easy to fall, also them can balance with one leg and recover to balance faster. But I have to report that these skills require strong back and knees, our players claim they are very tired after training.

[@siddharthhaldar8235]

Can you please suggest how can I train myself to these balance movements and maintain it also how can I train for this running cadence etc

[@3cbperformance]

There are some basic suggestions I can make generally and I'll make videos on those.

[@86mmichel]

How do you get faster mental speed?

[@nobodythere8586]

Background music 🎶 🎵 ????

[@davidrichardson6128]

For your next soccer video could you make it on Alphonso Davies? He's a young Bayern player and has been lighting it up in the left back posistion with his speed, dribling, and crossing.

[@3cbperformance]

I'll add him to the list for a tactical dissection video. The next few soccer videos are going to be on injuries (Jovic, Umtiti)

[@davidrichardson6128]

@@3cbperformance sounds great

[@aymanafeef6472]

you said a lot of things in this video about what Messi does and when. Could you make a video of the sequence of Messi's actions? what Messi would do from the start of a play to the very end? Like what he does one on one then when he's on the break and in front of goal?

[@3cbperformance]

I definitely can. In the meantime, have you checked out parts 1 and 2? That may help answer some questions as well

[@videepdev8189]

I had a question, when we lower our centre of gravity, do we have to have a slight bend in the knees or can we go as low down as we want for better agility.

[@3cbperformance]

Videep Dev Typically when you lower, the knees will also flex (bend) as part of the entire movement chain

[@bandanarai9565]

Messi teaching physics just by playing soccer

[@slim5302]

Looking at him from another pov , he is only using basics , only simple basics but perfectly

[@footballmedia-byabhijith4474]

How to train dribbling

[@kieranjackson9206]

This channel is analysis not tutorial

[@paulcris107]

@@vaibhavbagepalli2068 thanks I will just try to work on my physical attribute as a taller player to help me be the best dribbler I can be

[@carlospk4744]

I was wondering if you have any specific training for these skills?

[@3cbperformance]

Not yet but will soon

[@mahamedali920]

Do you know if their are any drills that I could use to improve my running cadence

[@3cbperformance]

Mahamed Ali The first thing is to calculating your running cadence. Do you know how to do that?

[@mahamedali920]

@@3cbperformance Im not really sure

[@3cbperformance]

Mahamed Ali Run for a minute at a medium pace and count how many times your right foot touches the ground. Multiply that by 2 & that’s your cadence.

[@arnavdas3139]

Mind making a video on Ronaldinho methods ?

[@3cbperformance]

I will at some point

[@haileyesusad7879]

How can I improve step frequency

[@3cbperformance]

Too long of an answer mate. Depends on each person

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@3cbperformance make a video

[@a1f.]

Do you think his HGH treatment have anything to do with his abilities. Im not talking height but rather the balance/durability/strength and such. If you compare to other "cases" of body types and if Messi have got some strange attributes. At least Im curious about it. But thanks for awesome videos and details about the best

[@3cbperformance]

From the research I've read on the use of HGH in the case of individuals with deficits like had, there's no evidence that it actually improves the abilities. It just brings them up to normal

[@cesaralvarez107]

Amazing player, in spite of his technical shortcomings.

[@amandanicole9299]

Technical shortcomings how? 😂😂😂, I guess you don’t even know what technique means 🤡, he’s the most technical baller in history, maybe you meant to say physical shortcomings and he’s actually no pushover physically, what he lacks in physicality in terms of height he answers for it in insane fitness and body balance

[@cesaralvarez107]

@@amandanicole9299 He dribbles like nobody's business, can't take the ball from him I give you that. Now only one free kicking technique, can't do the elastico nor the roulette, and don't get me started on defense skills...

[@amandanicole9299]

@@cesaralvarez107 You clearly don’t know what technique means, go and understand the meaning of technique first before coming back to reply this comment

[@amandanicole9299]

@@cesaralvarez107 Btw why would you even mention anything about defense 🤷‍♂️, do you even know we’re talking football here at all?? 🙄

[@cesaralvarez107]

@@amandanicole9299 Last time I checked there is defense in football. Now if what you mean is playmakers are not supposed to defend, I will respectfully disagree.

[@thilinadias5559]

When messi has the ball and he's about to dribble where do u think messi is watching at I mean which part of the leg is he watching knee, ankle, hip or knee to hip?

[@3cbperformance]

Thilina Dias If i had to guess, he’s watching the defender’s feet because that’s what they’re going to use to stop him so that’s the key indicator

[@whyamiblessed3665]

How to train to dribble like Messi?

[@3cbperformance]

I'll be making some videos on it, as best I can.

[@whyamiblessed3665]

@@3cbperformance Thank you so much

[@whyamiblessed3665]

@@3cbperformance Waiting for it...

[@3cbperformance]

@@whyamiblessed3665 Won't be done until the off-season. Too many injury updates along with my own clinics to run mate.

[@whyamiblessed3665]

@@3cbperformance Ahah!Ok Man good luck I'll be waiting till then

[@saintgabriel4471]

Hey, can you make a video explaining how after doing most of this ridiculous stuff that takes a great toll on his old body/leg yet he rarely gets injured while players like hazard takes a bad step and injured his hamstring😂, I just don't understand, after 15+ years of crazy physical activity and beating from other players expecially Ramos and Pepe😂, Thanks

[@3cbperformance]

Will do

[@feederchua]

next up, how to train to be able to do a fraction of what Messi does!

[@3cbperformance]

jay C23 there are certainly ways to improve some of the core principles

[@feederchua]

@@3cbperformance looking forward to that!

[@ubachiuchendu5385]

Very possible with practice

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@3cbperformance make a video on it

[@David-gg9kv]

Can you show a not more on how to improve these things?

[@3cbperformance]

I'll be making separate videos on those; the video gets too convoluted in one video

[@muhammademraanseo]

@@3cbperformance waiting. Kindly be fast

[@favourisaac3158]

Does height depend on dribbling like this or is limited

[@3cbperformance]

Doesn't depend on it, too many variables

[@steefisgod3917]

I dribble like Messi but I can beat 5 defenders at time but only problem is not strong as Messi

[@3cbperformance]

Zombie Shooter Watch part 2 to learn more about Messi’s strength

[@honeybrar5317]

Very nyc video sir,but at end when u said if particular dribble works once why not just go with it,messi used the same dribble 4 5 times bcz all thr guys were just attacking from same side,and it will be easier to get them against their legs,and baiting defenders to think they can get the ball

[@3cbperformance]

Honey Brar Yes, so he used the same dribble approach for those situations. That’s the underlying point

[@josephafuwape7852]

8:21you were right good luck defending against him .haha lol

[@3cbperformance]

Joseph Afuwape Lol right. You’re just guessing and hoping

[@josephafuwape7852]

Thanks best detailed tutorial you tube channel cool video now my friends call me messi of tommorow thanks to you good luck with your you tube channel

[@tabaleemi8310]

9:28

[@videepdev8189]

What happened to English subtitles? Only auto-generated English subtitles are available.

[@3cbperformance]

They’re up

[@videepdev8189]

@@3cbperformance Thanks man!

[@victoriaruizv5869]

Si quiere quiere a el Rey a messi balón de oro a messi a niños España a messi balón de oro a messi a niños España

[@zackwhite1063]

Kkkkkkkkkkkkk