1v1 Dribbling, Entertainment or Math?

As a wide midfield player, taking on defenders 1v1 is a very crucial part of my job. It's a chess match between you and that defender; a battle of wits if you will. The key to success is being unpredictable. Sometimes go right, sometimes go left, sometimes look to combine, sometimes play the ball backwards to keep it, etc… If the defender knows what you are going to do, you're in big trouble! There is a simple formula for offensive success.

Misdirection + Change of Direction + Change of Speed= Success

Simply fake you're going one way to get the defender off balance; go the other way; accelerate past him and you have successfully dribbled by a defender. Becoming a very good 1v1 dribbler takes practice, but it's a very rewarding skill set to possess.