Dribbling Drills – 4 Corner Zones
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DESCRIPTION
• each team attempts to dribble and lay off the ball to one of its target players in one of the corner zones (receiving target player must dribble the ball out of his zone and complete one pass to be awarded a point for his team – optional)
• serving player switches position with target player
VARIATION
• play 4v2, 5v3 (2 neutrals for each team)
• all target players are neutral
• play with 2 balls simultaneously
• if targets are all neutral, team of targets come on the grid once they receive the ball (team of serving player switches out to become target players)
• minimum of 2-3 touches
• adjust size of field if necessary
COACHING POINTS
• quick transition
• change of speed & direction
• attack open space
• awareness
• communication
Dribbling Drills – Channel Possession Game 6
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DESCRIPTION
• play 4v4
• each team defends and attacks two mini goals
• players can move around between zones
• ball cannot bounce or be received inside the middle zone
• if the ball bounces or is received by a player inside the middle zone the defending team automatically gets possession
• if a ball is won in one zone and switched into another and a player ends up scoring the goal is awarded three points, all other goals just one point
VARIATION
• teams can only score on one of the two mini goals in designated outer channel
• play 5v5, 6v6 etc.
• limit number of touches
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group
COACHING POINTS
• angle, distance and timing of support
• vision
• body position — open to field
• decision making
• verbal and visual communication
• angle, distance and timing of support
Dribbling Drills – Cone Dribbling 7
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DESCRIPTION
• players dribble inside red square and perform a specific move
• players then dribble to next group
• next player goes once the first player stops his ball in front of him and/or gives him a high five
VARIATION
• players pass to next player after performing a move
• specify how players must pass/receive (left or right foot, inside or outside foot, high or low etc.)
• specify how players must dribble (left or right foot, inside or outside foot etc.)
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group if necessary
COACHING POINTS
• weight of pass
• accuracy
• first touch
• verbal and visual communication
• agility and balance
• contact surface of foot
• creativity
• close control
Dribbling Drills – Different Colour Goals
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DESCRIPTION
• teams play 4v4, 5v5 etc.
• when coach calls out a colour players can only score on the goal of that colour
VARIATION
• teams score by dribbling through cone goals
• add neutral player
• vary number of goals
• minimum of 3 touches
• coach calls out two goals that teams can score
COACHING POINTS
Attacking:
• angle, distance and timing of support
• decision making
• verbal and visual communication
• set up defender
• change of speed & direction
• protect the ball
• vision
• close control
• quick transition
• create space for others
Defending:
• angle and distance of cover
• changing role of pressure and cover
• visual and verbal communication
• control and restraint
• delay and channel
Dribbling Drills – Circle Run
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DESCRIPTION
• player with the ball starts dribbling into the middle of the circle towards another player
• next player then accelerates towards the player with the ball, takes it over and repeats the sequence
VARIATION
• specify how players must dribble (inside or outside of foot, left or right foot only etc.)
• players perform a move in the middle of the circle and then dribble to next player to lay off the ball
• player must dribble clockwise
• players must dribble counterclockwise
• play with 2 or more balls simultaneously
COACHING POINTS
• communication
• change of speed & direction
• acceleration
• close control
• soft touches
Dribbling Drills – Cannon Ball
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DESCRIPTION
• in pairs
• players pass to their partner on opposite side
• 2 players at one time attempt to dribble across grid without being hit
• pass giver with most hits wins
• switch roles after 4-5 minutes
VARIATION
• one touch only for passing players
• specify how players must pass/receive (left or right foot, inside or outside foot)
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group
COACHING POINTS
• low passes only
• body mechanics
• balance
• first touch
Dribbling Drills – Circle Dribble
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DESCRIPTION
• two players dribble through the middle square to another player who then takes over
• the player then takes the receiver’s spot
VARIATION
• add a third (fourth) player with a ball
• players must perform a move before they enter the square
• players make a pass to another player once they dribble out of the square
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group
COACHING POINTS
• acceleration
• agility and balance
• change of speed & direction
• protect the ball
• close control
• weight of pass
• accurate passes
Dribbling Drills – 1vs1 Receiving Square
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DESCRIPTION
• players inside squares move towards ball, receive it and dribble to next corner
• 2-3 defenders try to win possession once the attacker leaves the square (defender cannot intercept the pass)
• play is over once a player (attacker or defender) dribbles out of the grid and high fives the next player in line at the next corner
• defenders switch roles with the attacker that they took the ball from
• player at the corner follows his pass into square
VARIATION
• vary number of defenders
• play with passive defenders
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group if necessary
COACHING POINTS
• close control
• change of speed & direction
• communication
• protect your ball
• deception
• set up defender
• weight of pass
• accuracy
• good first touch
Dribbling Drills – Body Part Dribble
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DESCRIPTION
• players dribble inside playing area
• when coach calls out a body part players have to stop the ball with that particular part of the body i.e. foot, nose, knee, elbow, chest, heel, toes, shoulder, thighs, rear, forehead
• last player to do so must do 10x toe taps (10x juggles etc.)
VARIATION
• specify how players must dribble (left or right foot, inside or outside foot etc.)
• players perform a move before stopping the ball
• players change direction before stopping the ball
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group if necessary
COACHING POINTS
• body mechanics
• agility and balance
• contact surface of foot
• change of direction and speed
• close control
Dribbling Drills – 1vs1 Two Goal Finish
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DESCRIPTION
• coach distributes ball and players from each team to play 1v1 until goal is scored or ball goes out of bounds
• players can score on either goal
VARIATION
• play 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 etc.
• vary ways of distribution (high, low, thrown etc.)
• play with 2x cone goals on same goal line which players have to dribble through in order to score
• coach distributes ball and teammate of the player that wins the ball enters the game to make a 2v1
• play with only one large goal with goalie
• adjust spacing depending on the age and ability of the group if necessary
COACHING POINTS
Attacking:
• quick finish
• seal off opponent
• good first touch
• deception
• set up defender
• change of speed & direction
• protect the ball
• vision
• close control
• soft touch
Defending:
• control and restraint
• delay and channel
• deny turn
• angle and speed of approach
• body shape, balance, and foot positioning
• timing and decision to tackle
